Project Manager: Planning, Community Engagement, & Communications

Position OverviewZan Associates is seeking a full-time Project Manager to join our Portland, OR office. This project management role is ideal for someone who is excited to both deliver community engagement and communications work and manage smaller projects or contracts with guidance from senior staff.You will be part of a collaborative team of planners, engagement specialists, and communications professionals and will report to the Oregon office lead. In this role, you will support and manage project work including task coordination, schedule tracking, budget monitoring, and quality control, while also actively participating in engagement activities and client deliverables. Over time, this role may grow to include increasing responsibility for independent project management and business development support.Projects primarily focus on implementing community engagement and communications activities for infrastructure planning, design, and construction projects.Key ResponsibilitiesSpecific tasks associated with this role include:Support and manage assigned projects or tasks, including tracking scope, schedule, and budget for smaller projects or project componentsDeliver community engagement and communications activities, including preparing materials and participating directly in events and meetingsCoordinate project work across internal team members and subconsultants with guidance from senior project managersAssist with client communications, meeting preparation, agendas, and follow-upHelp plan and implement community engagement strategies aligned with client project goalsSupport and facilitate client meetings and community engagement activities, including both in-person and virtual events such as focus groups, public meetings, interviews, listening sessions, presentations, and pop-up eventsDraft and support the development of communications materials such as project fact sheets, notifications (mailers, flyers, e-newsletters, media releases), event materials, social media posts, and website contentPerform quality assurance and quality control reviews of materials and deliverablesManage multiple project workplans, deadlines, and task assignmentsTrack project hours and support project reporting and invoicingStay up to date on best practices and emerging trends in community engagement and communicationsParticipate in business development activities as appropriate, including proposal support and researchWork evening and weekend hours as needed for community engagement activities (frequency varies by project)Alignment with Zan’s Core ValuesWe believe in the work we doWe have a culture of high performanceWe are professionally opinionatedWe prioritize inclusivity and belongingWe care about our teamWe are fun to work withQualificationsBachelor’s or master’s degree in urban planning, communications, public policy, or a related field3-5 years of relevant project management experience, or a comparable mix of education, internships, and professional experienceInterest in and exposure to community engagement, public involvement, or infrastructure-related projectsExperience or familiarity with consulting or professional services environments where time is tracked by project or client is a plusInterest in project management, including learning how to manage scope, schedules, and budgetsStrong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlinesClear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information for public audiencesComfort working both collaboratively and independently in a fast-paced environmentProficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Familiarity with project management tools or software is a plusCAPM, PMP (or interest in pursuing certification) is a plus but not requiredExperience or interest in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices is a plusMultilingual skills and/or visual communications experience are a plusValid driver’s license requiredZan’s Oregon office is growing, and this position offers clear opportunities for professional development and advancement into more senior project management roles over time.