Program Manager

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. LANI's goal is to make disadvantaged neighborhoods better places to work, learn, and live.

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.

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

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

Conduct regular 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) and participate in BID Consortium

Create and distribute newsletters; maintain websites and social media presence

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

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Create customized community outreach plans for each project

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 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

Other miscellaneous support as necessary

CONSTRUCTION IMPLEMENTATION

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 assure that construction and design expenditures and activities do not go beyond fund allocations or outside the scopes 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 development of contract amendments and change orders

Contribute to LANI program development and planning as requested/desired

Participation in LANI Community Forum and other special events as needed

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, as required, to carry out the responsibilities of the Program Manager position

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

Proficiency speaking and writing Spanish (required)

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

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 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

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

Ability to interface equally well with colleagues, elected officials, funders, corporate partners, community members, and the general public

Current California driver’s license and insurance