Job opening: Project Manager Consultant for Lower Mississippi River Delta Design Initiative

More information about this position can be found on Idealist.org.

Job: Project Manager Consultant

Project: Lower Mississippi River Delta Design Initiative

Location: Flexible between Washington, DC and New York City

Introduction

Responding to the collapse of social and environmental ecosystems across the Lower Mississippi River Delta, Environmental Defense Fund and Van Alen Institute have embarked on a major, multi-year initiative to address the physical, scientific, social, and economic challenges of designing—and implementing—a self-sustaining Louisiana delta landscape.

Over the last century, engineered control structures and levee systems have starved south Louisiana of the Mississippi River’s land-building sediment. The resulting loss of coastal wetlands—accelerated by the dredging of thousands of miles of canals for energy production and transportation—has compromised flood control and navigation, threatened energy infrastructure, and placed priceless ecologies and cultures on the path to extinction.

In the aftermath of Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a broad coalition has gathered to bring Gulf Coast communities, ecologies, and commerce back into balance. To create fresh visions for the region’s future, the Lower Mississippi River Delta Design Initiative is a highly-competitive, two-phase process that uses design both as a problem-solving tool and a catalyst for public engagement. During the first phase, teams of engineers, coastal researchers, planners, architects, and landscape architects will respond to a Request for Qualifications that asks for world-class, realizable visions that reimagine the delta system as far as 300 miles upriver. During the second phase, one or more of these visions will be selected for further refinement—and developed in concert with the region’s master planning process to restore natural flood and storm protection while accommodating the needs of navigation and industry.

We are seeking a consultant to serve as a Project Manager with exceptional leadership, management, and communication skills who will coordinate the creation of an organization in New Orleans to launch this landmark initiative and to support the recovery of the Gulf Coast’s environment, economy, and health and human services.

Function

The Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for the startup and initial operation of the Lower Mississippi River Delta Design Initiative. The PM will work closely with Environmental Defense Fund, Van Alen Institute, and other advisors to develop and implement the initiative’s vision and strategy. Serving as the project’s central manager, the PM will coordinate with partner organizations, work with the Leadership Team, engage stakeholder and science groups, and manage the project budget and communications. Throughout the consultancy, the PM will develop meaningful relationships with delta stakeholders, leaders, funders, and design teams. The PM will report to EDF and VAI.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day decision-making for the planning, development, and initial implementation of the Lower Mississippi River Delta Design Initiative, in collaboration with the Leadership Team, staff, partners, and consultants
• Coordinate with partners to create the Leadership Team charter, manage the team’s formation, serve as staff to the team in their mission of guiding the initiative, and ensure buy-in and support for the initiative’s overall direction
• Manage the formation, activities, needs, and resources of the science and stakeholder teams, as well as other consultants as appropriate
• Oversee effective and efficient internal communications, including regular updates and strategy sessions with partners and supporters
• Coordinate and manage consultants who will undertake a multimillion-dollar fundraising campaign for the initiative
• Manage contracts, grants, and budgets to ensure maximum use of the available resources in achieving project objectives
• Manage external communications and outreach activities, creating an overall communications strategy that delivers on objectives; these include enhancing the Leadership Team’s creation of public interest, excitement, and engagement in the Design Initiative and heightening awareness of delta issues

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in the fields of architecture and design, engineering, planning, public service, or relevant multidisciplinary experience; or demonstrated relevant work experience in related project implementation
• Proven project planning, management, and execution experience, including seven or more years relevant work experience in project leadership

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multi-partnership team, leveraging staff and partners at all levels while successfully integrating team contributions and perspectives
• Preference given to candidates with additional experience in design competitions, fundraising, and familiarity with coastal Louisiana stakeholder and ecosystem dynamics

Terms of Employment

• This is a one-year term consulting position. However, the position may be extended, and includes possible growth potential as the initiative’s Executive Director.
• The home base of this position will flexible between Washington, D.C. and New York City, but frequent and extended travel to New Orleans, New York City and Washington, D.C. is required.