Planning Deputy Director

City of Charlotte•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Planning, Design and Development Department is a public planning agency established in 1954 as a joint City-County Department to provide integrated planning service to the City of Charlotte and unincorporated areas of Mecklenburg County. In 2003 the City and County amended their Inter-local Cooperative Agreement to make the Planning Department a City Department while still providing planning services to both jurisdictions. The Department is responsible for managing the following divisions: Land Development, Long Range Planning, Entitlement Services, Design and Preservation, Community Tree Canopy Preservation, Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and Business and Executive Services. The Planning Department is also the largest department represented in the CLT Development Center. Additionally, the planning department works with a 14-member appointed planning commission that advises on planning and zoning issues. To ensure the entire community is well-prepared for the future, Department staff also work with the Charlotte City Council, the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board, neighborhood and business groups, and other advisory boards including the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Historic District Commission and the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. The City of Charlotte is recruiting for a Deputy Director for the Planning, Design and Development Department with a verifiable track record of leadership success in fast-paced, high-growth, and progressive urban environments. The ideal candidate will have a broad background and extensive experience in planning, design and development processes, including long range planning, regulations, zoning, permitting, and community development within a public or private agency. This senior level executive will be results-driven, grounded in ethical decision-making, exhibit flexible thinking, and possess superior interpersonal and communication skills. Strong leadership and planning expertise are required to advance the Planning Department’s vision, mission, plans, and programs. The Deputy Director must demonstrate executive presence to effectively represent the department publicly and serve as backup to the Planning Director.

Requirements

Four-Year degree in Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Science, or a related field, with a strong preference for a Master’s Degree in one of these disciplines.
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible planning experience across multiple functional areas.
Five (5) years of supervisory experience in the planning field preferred.
Proven ability to manage the day-to-day operations of a complex planning and development department while exercising independent judgment and decision-making authority.
Ability to leverage technical expertise and project management skills to deliver major initiatives by guiding staff, shaping timelines, navigating organizational complexities, and driving strategic solutions.
Experience operating with minimal direction to proactively identify gaps, anticipate challenges, and take action to address them while exercising sound judgment regarding which decisions require Director engagement, and which can be resolved independently.
Strong expertise in land use policy, zoning regulations, and development standards, with the ability to align policy intent with regulatory implementation.
Experience with the land development process, including understanding project design, entitlement, and delivery.
Skilled in interpreting, applying, and aligning policy and regulatory frameworks to support strategic goals.
Extensive knowledge of planning theory, principles, and techniques, including long-range planning and regulatory development.
Knowledge of real estate terminology, laws, practices, principles, and regulations.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholder groups, both internal and external, including other city departments, neighborhood groups, community members, and the development industry. Ability to coordinate with regional, state, and federal partners on policy alignment, infrastructure planning, and development initiatives.
Considerable knowledge and experience in developing and managing a departmental budget, including fee assessments.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the editing, oversight, or preparation of technical reports, and the presentation of information to government entities and various committees.
Ability to understand and manage high-profile, sensitive, or controversial political situations.
Highly collaborative management style with demonstrated emotional intelligence and strong people skills.
Demonstrated strategic thinking, adaptability, and a willingness to pilot creative solutions that improve efficiency, service delivery, and outcomes.
Ability to lead with clarity and consistency to hold teams accountable while fostering a respectful and supportive work environment.
Strong understanding of legal considerations in land use and development decisions, with the ability to mitigate risk and ensure defensible regulatory actions.

Nice To Haves

AICP or other certifications (AIA, GISP, LEED, PE, etc.) preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction to staff in the formulation and evaluation of planning programs and initiatives.
Serve as a technical advisor to the Planning Director, City Council, City Manager, and Planning Commission on a broad range of planning projects and issues; prepare and submit reports and recommendations for management consideration.
Collaborate with the Business and Executive Services Division Manager to develop administrative policies and operating procedures to develop and implement department goals and work plans.
Collaborate with the Budget and Finance Manager to oversee budget development and financial decisions, including user fees, in partnership with the Director.
Maintain in-depth knowledge of specific assigned projects.
Support the Director in contract coordination and oversight, deliverables management, responses to media requests, and ensuring deadlines are met on high-profile projects.
Mentor members of the senior leadership team and address human resource matters as needed.
Build and sustain respectful, positive working relationships with staff, supervisors, outside agencies, and the public by applying strong customer service principles and effective conflict resolution when needed
Supervise department divisions at the discretion of the Director.
Assist the Director with public engagements and meetings and oversee coordination across service areas.
Perform other job-related duties as required.