Community Design Manager

Oakland, CA
Full Time
Community Building
Experienced



Founded in 1975, the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is a pioneering social enterprise with deep roots in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities of the East Bay. We serve diverse populations by creating healthy, safe, and vibrant neighborhoods through community-centered development.

EBALDC generates over 75% of its revenue from earned income, operating across real estate development, property management, social services, and professional consulting. Our work spans corporate programs, subsidiaries, and partnerships with both public and private sectors.

We believe lasting change starts with the people who live in our neighborhoods. Through leadership development, network building, and co-designed solutions, we equip residents with the tools to shape their own communities—unlocking collective power for long-term impact.

For more about our accomplishments and our mission, please visit: www.ebaldc.org


East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is seeking a regular full-time Community Design Manager.

Position Summary: The Community Design Manager plans and implements creative community development projects in and around affordable housing buildings that uplift local culture, creativity, and resident leadership; and supports EBALDC’s place-based collaborative initiatives in East Oakland, West Oakland, and/or Oakland’s Chinatown.

Key Responsibilities
  • Project Management – Plan and support creative projects and programs; manage consultants and volunteers; lead logistical coordination of physical projects.
  • Community Engagement & Outreach – Activate residents and local groups to co-design placemaking projects using creative strategies rooted in arts and culture.
  • Communications – Share stories and engage project stakeholders through digital and physical creative media.
  • Partnership Development – Build and strengthen relationships with local organizations, businesses, schools, churches, artists, fabricators, and community leaders. Attend community events.
Required Qualifications:
This is more than a coordination role—we’re seeking someone with a design mindset, strong project management skills, and a deep commitment to community-driven work. The ideal candidate will have: 
  • A commitment to equity, cultural humility, and working with low-income and BIPOC communities in Oakland.
  • 4+ years of relevant work experience, including at least 1 year of community or project coordination.
  • Proven project management skills—comfortable creating scopes, managing timelines, contracting, and coordinating diverse stakeholders. Familiarity with reading construction documents and communicating specific design direction to professional vendors. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
  • A passion for community development, with demonstrated leadership experience in grassroots, neighborhood, or school-based groups. Proven ability to design and facilitate public engagement events, tactics, and activities.
  • Excellent collaboration, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • Minimum 2 years of college or graduate-level education in a design-related field related to the built environment (ex: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, etc.)
  • Physical ability to perform standard office tasks, sit for long periods, lead hands-on activities with community members, and lift up to 25 pounds.
  • Flexibility to attend some evening/ weekend work for events and meetings.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:   
  • Bilingual skills (Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, or Vietnamese) are highly valued.
  • Familiarity with Oakland’s neighborhoods, especially East Oakland, West Oakland, or Chinatown.
  • Passion for community-centered creative practice, filmmaking, graphic design, data visualization, public art, zine-making, website design, or other creative practice.
  • Experience providing direct support to working artists or other small businesses
  • Existing or interest in the pursuit of architecture, real estate, project management or another professional license.
  • Access to reliable transportation within Oakland and the Bay Area.
Salary Range: $65,000-$76,500 annually

Benefits:
  • EBALDC offers excellent benefits. EBALDC pays up to 100% of employee premiums and 60% of dependent premiums for Medical, Dental, Vision, LTD and Life, EAP, Retirement.
  • Paid Time Off, CA Paid Sick Leave, Holidays and Wellness Days off and paid sabbatical after 5 years of service for all eligible employees.
  • Flexible, self-driven hybrid schedule, with at least two days a week in the office as a team.
  • Thoughtful and intentional team building and collaboration with colleagues working in a wide range of internal and external community-serving roles.
  • This position qualifies for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. As a nonprofit employer, EBALDC is a qualified organization under the federal PSLF program, which may allow eligible employees to receive forgiveness on certain federal student loans after meeting program requirements. 
  • This role supports the candidate’s professional growth with a minimum annual budget of $500 for the pursuit of self-driven career goals related to the role.
  • This position qualifies for AXP hours toward architecture licensure in the state of California, under direct supervision of a licensed architect.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Equal employment opportunity in full compliance with applicable law will be provided to all persons without regard to age, marital status, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, mental or physical disability (including but not limited to AIDS and ARC) military or military veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): We believe our commitment to building healthy, vibrant and safe neighborhoods through community development is strengthened when we pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion as both agency values and practices.

Interested in making a difference through design and community?
Join a team that values creativity, collaboration, and community impact. Learn more and apply

**All candidates will be subject to a background check as a condition of employment**
Please NO PHONE CALLS!
EBALDC is an EOE Employer

**Please no phone calls


 
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