The City and County of Denver's Community Planning and Development Department (CPD) is seeking a talented leader who exemplifies the characteristics of a collaborative and energetic work environment to be the next Director of Zoning and Preservation. This position directs and manages the day-to-day administration, permitting, and enforcement of Denver’s zoning and landmark preservation codes. We are looking for an individual who desires to be an integral part of a forward thinking and problem- solving senior CPD leadership team, who is an excellent communicator, will provide strong leadership skills, is willing to embrace and implement new technology and new ways to perform, while providing exemplary customer service.

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver (CCD) means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. Click here to find out about all the amazing benefits and reasons to work for CCD!

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The salary range for this position is $131,770-224,009/year. New hires are typically brought into the organization between $155,000-178,000/year. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but is not limited to:

Five Medical Plans, Dental, Vision Insurance

Pension Plan for Life (Employee contributes 8.45%, Employer matches at 17.95%)

457 (b) Retirement Plan (no early withdrawal fee!)

PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year) and 14 paid holidays

Merit Increases

STD, LTD, HSA, FSA, Life Insurance

CARE Bank, Family Leave Benefits

Employee Assistance Program, Employee Volunteer Program

Tuition Reimbursement (up to $2000/year), We Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Learning and Development Opportunities; Courses and Career Development Resources

EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides)

Location

This position is located at the Wellington Webb Building, located at 201 W Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80202.

The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model, which is subject to change. Employees’ physical work location is based upon the position’s job duties and requirements, customer service and responsiveness, team and individual performance, and business needs and requirements. Our current practice requires in-office work for all employees for a minimum of three days per week. Business needs and initial onboarding may require additional days in the office.

Please note: Downtown parking expenses are the responsibility of the employee. We offer a flexible spending account option specifically for parking; if you elect this option, you can use pretax dollars for parking. We also offer an RTD ‘eco pass’ to all City employees– allowing the use of public transportation for free as a City Employee.

What You’ll Do

At Community Planning and Development, we envision, enable, and ensure a better Denver. Denver's Community Planning and Development Department is responsible for visionary city planning and ensuring safe, responsible, sustainable building. Community Planning and Development plays a role in growing our world-class city, while keeping its beloved features intact. From the skyscrapers of the central business district; to the walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods of Stapleton; to the charming Victorian effects of the Baker district, the staff at Community Planning and Development works to make Denver a great place to live, work and play. The Department's three primary functions are Planning, Permitting and Inspection. Learn more about how we're BUILDING COMMUNITY at www.DenverGov.org/CPD and www.DenverGov.org/DS

Please note that Community Planning and Development (CPD) has successfully finalized and implemented a major structural reorganization. This initiative was designed to achieve smaller supervisor-to-employee ratios, enhance career pathways, improve permit plan review and issuance turnaround times, reduce bureaucracy, and foster stronger cross-departmental collaboration. The transition to the new organizational structure was completed in Q1 2025. This reorganization presents a unique opportunity for the incoming Director of Zoning and Preservation to help shape, lead, and strengthen the newly aligned organization as we continue building a better, more resilient Denver.

Key responsibilities include:

Direct and oversee day-to-day administration, permitting, and enforcement of Denver’s zoning and landmark preservation codes. Work areas and programs under this Director’s oversight include zoning permits and approvals, zoning research, zoning relief, landmark certificates of appropriateness, landmark review of demolition permits, regulatory reform and process improvements, code interpretations and determinations, administrative policies and consistency in business practices, and building staff subject matter expertise to represent the landmark and zoning practice areas in both internal and external arenas.

Develop annual and multi-year work plans and strategies to meet business needs. Develop and direct the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards to ensure success.

Communicate business and work area plans and goals to managers and/or supervisors to secure buy-in. Review, approve, and implement recommended changes to work plans and lead the development of process and/or operational improvements.

Prioritize and allocate resources to achieve strategies. Utilize resources to develop or expand services and/or operation. Ensure resources are utilized appropriately and do not exceed the established budget without approval.

Resolve sensitive, controversial issues by making decisions that are inclusive of multiple perspectives.

Represent the department in meetings with elected and/or appointed officials and other city entities. Serves as the city representative with a variety of public, business, and community organizations. Fosters collaborative relationships to the benefit of the organization.

Create performance metrics for direct reports, and review and approve performance metrics established by managers/supervisors in conjunction with department leadership with the assistance of the data team. Assist managers and supervisors in the achievement of performance standards while identifying opportunities for continual performance-, project- and process improvements.

Provide resolution for complex citizen complaints that have been escalated to the Director level including long-term resolutions in problem areas.

Provide leadership and mentorship to other directors, managers, and supervisors in the department involved in zoning and landmark code development, review, implementation and enforcement.

Additional duties as assigned.

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

The City and County of Denver values leadership that influences the commitment, ability and willingness of employees to provide quality service to the citizens of Denver.

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:​

Ten (10) years of professional planning or local government experience in a lead role or manager position, preferably focused on leading/managing in a complex regulatory environment, which includes two (2) years of experience managing or supervising professional planners or other professionals.

Experienced and proactive manager with strong leadership skills and proven record of success.

Effective communicator committed to inclusive and transparent processes and fostering broad consensus.

Creative, visionary, collaborative, and practical.

Big picture thinker who understands the importance of balancing regulatory requirements with supporting a business-friendly Denver.

Dedicated to high quality and sustainable city development and customer friendly processes.

Able to work with customers and across disciplines to find creative ways to solve complex regulatory challenges in a manner that helps to advance CPD and citywide goals and objectives.

Familiarity and experience with zoning, land development, and/or landmark preservation codes and development review processes; urban design standards and guidelines; code inspections and enforcement; and code interpretation.

AICP, AIA, ASLA certified or JD degree a plus.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Education requirement: Bachelor’s Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Public Administration, or a related degree.

Experience Requirement: Five (5) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of professional planners.

Education/Experience Equivalency: Two (2) years of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.

Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirement.

Application Deadline

To be considered for this position, you must include the following with your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):

Cover Letter

Resume

Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than Friday, June 13th, 2025, at 11:59pm to ensure consideration.