SUMMARY
Director of Planning, Design and Development provides integrated planning services to the City of Charlotte and unincorporated areas of Mecklenburg County. Responsible for the strategic leadership of six key areas that address land development, community tree canopy preservation, entitlement services, design and preservation, long range planning, and regional transportation planning. Works with a 14-member appointed Planning Commission that advises staff and elected officials on planning and zoning issues in a collaborative effort between Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Provides strategic direction and executive leadership for all planning and development services, including long-range planning, urban design, annexation, historic districts, zoning, permitting, regional transportation planning, and tree canopy policies
• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of the Planning, Design, and Development Department. Works with the department senior leadership to develop, implement, and monitor long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving the City’s mission and strategic initiatives.
• Leads the implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance and oversees future amendments and updates to planning policies and ordinances
• Consults with developers, contractors, members of the public, various organizations and agencies, elected officials and attorneys on planning related issues
• Oversees departmental performance to ensure high quality customer service to all internal and external customers; maintains performance metrics documenting turnaround times on planning department development reviews
• Directs the development of and monitors performance against the annual department budget.
• Works with the City Council, Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board, neighborhood and business groups, and other advisory boards, which includes the UDO Board of Adjustment, Historic District Commission, and Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, to ensure that the community plans and prepares for the future.
• Performs additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university AND ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience, with at least six years of successful leadership experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience. Proven track record with successfully leading a large and complex community through major planning initiative(s) is highly desired.

Required Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred

Required Knowledge and Skills
Required Knowledge:
• Extensive knowledge of planning programs and processes, including sustainable development
• Knowledge of laws and regulations in development, zoning, land use
• Annexation, subdivision and comprehensive planning processes
• Knowledge of community engagement techniques and best practices
• Understanding of the history of planning and how that affects the existing built environment, policies, patterns, and best practices
Required Skills:
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to promote consensus regarding complex and controversial planning activities.
• Excellent skills and ability to communicate effectively orally, in writing and through presentations with architects, contractors, developers, property owners, City Council, Planning Commission, employees and the public.
• Ability to prepare and analyze technical reports and data and create useful information out of data.
• Works well in teams and coordinates effective community engagement.
• Significant experience supervising staff
• Negotiates and resolves complex issues.
• Able to delegate authority and responsibility.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Mobility to work in an office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.