Planning Director

Are you ready to lead the planning department in a fast-growing town in North Carolina’s capital county? If so, read on! The Town of Rolesville wants someone with strong communication skills, experience in long-range planning and project management, and a customer-service orientation to manage a growing department and help implement its Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, and Main Street Vision Plan.

The Rolesville Planning Department plays a central role in guiding the growth and development of our town. The Planning Director will actively engage with the community and be a progressive leader with a strong vision for a thriving, sustainable community. Collaborating with other agencies and the community, the department will strive to balance the needs of residents, businesses, and civic leaders to protect the environment and historical resources, create inspiring and livable urban spaces, cultivate neighborhood resilience, and enforce good land-use practices. In addition, the department will foster exemplary design through planning controls, guide policy changes to encourage a broad range of housing and a diverse job base, and promote equity and accessibility.

Reporting directly to the Town Manager, the Planning Director is responsible for overseeing town planning, development entitlement, housing, land use, historic preservation, and transportation. The Director also coordinates building inspections in the town carried out by Wake County staff and is the primary liaison to the Town’s Planning Board and regional planning agencies. The Director leads by example and supervises the planning staff by implementing Town policies and procedures. Duties include but are not limited to current and long-range planning, code enforcement, and zoning administration.

• Visibility and presence as an approachable leader with an ability to develop, communicate, and achieve a shared vision of future needs.
• Knowledge of local planning processes and expertise in land development, transportation, environmental preservation, and economic development.
• Ability to foster and maintain relationships with regional partners and key constituencies using well-developed oral and written communication skills to generate consensus.
• Effective communicator with a high degree of emotional intelligence and maturity who demonstrates active listening and responsiveness to people both inside and outside of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage staff through organizational and cultural change.
• Ability to leverage staff’s knowledge and technical expertise. Committed to staff development and able to empower staff with authority and resources to carry out their responsibilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other departments.
• Demonstrated track record of embracing diversity and advancing equity and inclusion.

Typical Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in municipal planning, urban planning, or closely related field
• Preferred Master’s degree in municipal planning, urban planning, public administration, or a closely related field
• Preferred certification from the AICP; or ability to obtain certification within a year

EXPERIENCE: A minimum of 6-8 years of experience of an increasingly responsible nature in municipal planning and development or related area; requires a minimum of 3-4 years of supervisory experience.

Supplemental Information: Please include a cover letter and resume with your application.