Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) is seeking a creative, high-energy entrepreneurial, and team-oriented individual to serve as Planning & Innovation Associate. This newly created planning position will work within the Planning and Development Division and will support all aspects of the BID’s programmatic work in economic development, development review, community planning, and placemaking. This role will focus on supporting projects and programs that help advance National Landing’s position as a premier innovation district, including market analysis and the development of new infographics and data visualizations. The ideal candidate will be excited about technology, urbanism and innovation and passionate about supporting the BID’s mission to become an inclusive, vibrant and well-connected downtown by elevating the area’s profile regionally and nationally. This is an early career opportunity suited for recent planning graduates with strong technical capabilities including mapping, data visualization, and analytical skills. This position will report directly to the VP of Planning and Development and will work closely with the Planning and Transportation Project Manager.

Primary Job Responsibilities

•Support all facets of the organization’s economic development program including tracking key market data indicators aimed at making the BID the go-to source for market intelligence and supporting the area’s position as a leading innovation district. Responsibilities include:

o Update development database across market sectors and track existing companies and businesses in the district

o Track new lease activity and support leasing activity

o Monitor key benchmarking data and to support tenant attraction and retention; track key indicators for women and minority-owned small businesses

o Support the development of quarterly market reports by monitoring and tracking the BID’s demographic data, fiscal and economic impact data, and real estate market trends across residential, office, retail and hospitality sectors

o Use of data platforms like CoStar, Placer, and STR

o Coordinate with County on data-sharing and outreach

o Support the development of marketing collateral

o Follow local digital infrastructure investments and innovation initiatives as well as national trends regarding innovation districts

• Coordinate and track progress on all new real estate development and public infrastructure projects

o Oversee a project development database

o Create corresponding maps/models including the development map

• Perform mapping and GIS work

• Coordinate with construction managers related to progress on local development

• Assist in monitoring and participating in Arlington County’s various planning processes for land use, parks, and other planning-related studies including reviewing documents, attending meetings, and formulating formal responses

• Support business outreach efforts working with the Community Engagement and Communications Specialist

• Develop and manage grant programs that support the viability and resilience of existing brick and mortar retail and restaurant businesses and increase opportunities for small, minority-owned businesses

• Help project manage equity and sustainability initiatives

• Support placemaking, transportation, and public art projects as assigned

• Create strong visual representation of data in maps, presentations, reports, etc.

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Master’s degree in urban planning or related field, or a relevant undergraduate degree with 1-2 years of work experience in planning, community/economic development, architecture, real estate or related field

• Substantive knowledge of and interest in urban planning, community and economic development, urban design, and real estate

• Strong writing, editing, communications, and interpersonal skills

• Excellent research/analytical skills and organizational and project management capability

• Strong mapping and GIS skills

• Data visualization skills and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign; Photoshop) preferred

• Flexible, adaptive, resourceful and capable problem-solver

• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and work collaboratively as part of a team

• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite; Google Workplace, Tableau, Arc GIS, Excel, CoStar, STR Data, and other economic development market programs

• Enthusiastic and enjoy working in a dynamic, flexible, fast-paced environment

• Reliable, energetic, and self-motivated to deliver high-quality work

The National Landing BID offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a convenient Metro accessible location. The BID is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The BID celebrates diversity and is committed to cultivating a highly talented workforce and provide a welcoming, inclusive, collaborative, and fun work environment, where work-life balance is valued for every employee. Creativity and entrepreneurial spirit are encouraged within the BID’s fast-paced and talented team.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Interested applicants should provide cover letter and resume to careers@nationallanding.org with a subject line of “Planning and Innovation Associate” no later than May 2 COB.

ABOUT National Landing BID

The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) serves as a champion for Virginia’s largest walkable downtown, which encompasses the Arlington neighborhoods of Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard. The BID is a non-profit organization established to promote and activate the area’s business, retail, restaurant and residential community and enhance the vitality and economic competitiveness of the area. The BID achieves this through placemaking, public art, transportation, economic development, events, marketing and promotion.

The National Landing BID highlights the strengths of the area as a walkable, dynamic urban center that is an emerging hub of innovation, a welcoming residential community, and a growing destination with new amenities from parks, dining and entertainment choices to unparalleled transportation options. Over the next 10 years, National Landing is positioned to become the fastest growing neighborhood in the DC metro area, the most connected downtown in the country and a leading innovation district. With more than $12 billion in public and private investment in the works including Amazon’s HQ2, National Landing is in the midst of an exciting transformation that will deliver new and enhanced housing, offices, parks, transportation and infrastructure in the coming years. The National Landing BID continues to champion people-centered improvements, build community through programming, and help steer this unprecedented growth in ways that are sustainable and enhance the area’s diversity and livability. For more information, visit us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The organization has undergone a major overhaul in the last three years in terms of geographic, programmatic, and budgetary expansion. Since 2019, the organization has launched the area’s new name and brand identity, successfully expanded the BID’s geographic area by 76% percent, welcomed a nearly $2 million increase in annual budget, and has nearly tripled staff.

Check out how National Landing is an urban center, reimagined, and how three neighborhoods are stronger together through this 1 minute VIDEO.