BID Program Manager

Job description

Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI) is seeking an experienced professional to manage two Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and implement neighborhood-scale capital improvements and planning processes. The Program Manager will help LANI partner with community members and City and County offices and agencies to provide services in business districts located in under-resourced neighborhoods, and to conceive, fund, design, and build public spaces that meet local needs and reflect local pride and character, including parks and open spaces, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, business corridors, transit hubs, and safe, vibrant sidewalk environments.

LANI was formed as a non-profit in 1994 to advance inclusive, equitable, neighborhood-driven community development primarily in disadvantaged or under-resourced areas. Our model combines expert project management with deep community outreach that empowers local stakeholders and generates substantive communal decision-making. The goal of LANI's projects is to make disadvantaged neighborhoods better places to work, learn, and live.

LANI Mission

LANI revitalizes neighborhoods by engaging people and building vibrant public spaces.

Job Summary

Join our small, collaborative team to manage two BIDs and oversee the planning and implementation of neighborhood improvement projects, including but not limited to the facilitation of community outreach and consensus planning, oversight of design and construction of public improvement projects, and contract and budget management.

Will train a qualified candidate who brings project management, budget management, and/or community engagement experience from another field.

Diversity at LANI

LANI is committed to building a diverse staff, and we strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, and/or other historically underrepresented groups.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any legally protected status.

Detailed Job Description

1)    BID Management

·       Administer all required communications and reporting with the L.A. City Clerk's Office and manage BID renewal processes as needed

·       Maintain familiarity with relevant laws, policies, and resources related to L.A. City BIDs

·       Manage BID budgets and track assessments

·       Maintain internal tracking systems for quarterly reporting on BID budget and project updates to the City Clerk

·       Facilitate productive BID board meetings, including all communications and preparation of agendas and minutes in compliance with Brown Act requirements

·       Procure, contract, and manage service vendors as needed to provide street cleaning, infrastructure maintenance, holiday decorations, or other services as directed by the BID Board

·       Conduct weekly site visits to BID locations to survey existing conditions, submit service requests as needed for graffiti removal, illegal dumping, or other needs, and maintain a log of requests and responses

·       Maintain relationships with and advise relevant leadership and stakeholders (ie, City Council Offices, LAPD, Mayor's Office, neighborhood councils, and local educational & religious institutions)

·       Participate in BID Consortium

·       Create and distribute newsletters; maintain websites and social media presence that promote the BIDs and events and businesses in the BIDs

·       Schedule meetings and create agendas and minutes for BID Board and members according to Brown Act Guidelines and contractual requirements

2)    Community Engagement (for non-BID projects):

·       Create customized community outreach plans for each project that are inclusive, culturally competent, and multilingual, if necessary.

·       Translate community input into actionable project scopes, funding strategies, and design decisions

·       Engage local communities in projects via meetings, workshops, or special events, hosted either by LANI, partner community-based organizations, or public agencies

·       Create content for community engagement materials, including surveys, flyers, mailings, posters, etc.

·       Build databases of community stakeholders for individual projects and recruit stakeholders to project Steering Committees

·       Guide Steering Committees through project planning processes, including consultant selection and developing project budgets, and through construction implementation, including the change order process

·       Facilitate productive Steering Committee and board meetings, including securing meeting rooms and providing agenda and minutes

·       Form and facilitate project Technical Advisory Committees made up of relevant professionals and public agency representatives, which meet in parallel with project Steering Committees

·       Facilitate Steering Committee interaction with City or County departments as needed

3)    Construction Project Management:

·       Follow requisite procurement guidelines and LANI community engagement process for selection of consultants/contractors, including, but not limited to, consensus planners, project managers, architects, engineers, construction managers, and construction contractors

·       Work closely with construction managers to oversee all construction activities, including but not limited to invoice approval, procurement processes, contracts, permitting, purchase orders, change orders, and budgets

·       Assist in securing help/support from City departments, County departments, City Council Offices, and other elected officials, as needed

·       Issue purchase orders for non-construction items, or for funds without construction management oversight, following appropriate procurement procedures

·       Maintain construction files, contractor files, and consultant files

·       Funder Contract Management:

·       Assist in developing funding contracts for awarded projects and amending as needed

·       Maintain funding contract files

·       Submit periodic reports and fund (draw) requests for various funding sources

·       Assist communities in developing project budgets in compliance with funding requirements

·       Monitor project budgets to ensure that construction and design expenditures and activities do not go beyond fund allocations or outside the scope of work

·       Service/Vendor Contract Management:

·       Maintain communication with all service providers, vendors, and sub-consultants to ensure timely adherence to project goals, budgets, and overall project quality

·       Develop and maintain service contracts for LANI consultants/contractors, including, but not limited to planners, designers, architects, engineers, construction managers, and construction contractors

·       Develop or assist with the development of contract amendments and change orders

·       Other miscellaneous support as necessary

4)    Contribute to LANI program development and planning

5)    Participation in LANI Community Forum and other special events as needed

6)    Requisite writing, meeting attendance, communication, and interface with LANI board members and staff, community members, elected officials, municipal officials, LANI consultants and contractors, and the general public, to fulfill the responsibilities of the Program Manager position.

Required Qualifications

To perform effectively in this position, the well-qualified candidate will have:

·       Proficiency in speaking and writing Spanish (required)

·       Demonstrated project and budget management experience, preferably in construction, planning, and/or public works projects

·       Ability to manage multiple projects with evolving scopes and competing deadlines

·       Exceptional organizational skills; detail-oriented and able to work independently to complete projects on a deadline

·       Comfort with public speaking, making presentations, and facilitating group discussions

·       Superior problem-solving skills demonstrating diplomacy and tact

·       Ability to develop and maintain a goal-oriented, positive attitude and be an effective team player

·       Commitment to team objectives and LANI's philosophies, and interest in and knowledge of the communities of Los Angeles

·       Strong written communication skills, including editing for content and grammar

·       Computer skills, including preparation of spreadsheets, word processing, and presentation software; LANI uses MS Office Suite for most documents and Notion for project management

·       Flexibility to attend periodic early morning, evening, and weekend meetings, programs, and special events

·       Ability to interface well with colleagues, elected officials, funders, corporate partners, and community members

·       Current California driver's license and insurance

Work Environment

·       Hybrid remote/office schedule (1 block from Metro rail station)

·       Collaborative and supportive team and leadership

·       Opportunities for professional development

Reporting Authority

The Program Manager reports directly to the Director of Programs and works in cooperation with other LANI staff.

Compensation

·       $65,000-$70,000 annual salary range, depending on experience

·       Generous benefits package

· paid holidays and paid office closure final week of December