DEVELOPMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES DIRECTOR

City of Brookfield; Town of Brookfield (WI); On-site; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Brookfield seeks a Director of Development & Neighborhood Services to lead planning, land use, environmental conservation, and sustainability programs. This executive directs the department’s operations, manages a multi-faceted budget, and collaborates with the Mayor and Common Council to advance the City’s Comprehensive Plan and economic development initiatives.

Responsibilities include directing development agreements, zoning administration, map maintenance, and coordinating with

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in urban planning, Public Administration, or related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible municipal planning and community development experience.
• Five (5) or more years of proven leadership experience, including managing teams and complex development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Directs land use, environmental, conservation, sustainability and other quality of life activities.
• Directs and coordinates updates to the Comprehensive Plan and related studies.
• Administrates budget and supervises department staff and reports.
• Represents City on planning and development issues in various venues.
• Prepares annual reports for Tax Increment District Joint Review Board.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Communication

Stakeholder management

Urban planning

Education

Master's degree in urban planning, Public Administration, or related field

Job description

SUMMARY

The Director of Development & Neighborhood Services is responsible for planning and managing the City’s land use, environmental conservation, and sustainability programs. The Director ensures the development of safe, high-quality residential neighborhoods and supports growth across the commercial, multi-family, and industrial sectors. This leadership position plans, directs, and manages all operations of the Department of Development & Neighborhood Services while collaborating closely with the Mayor and the Common Council, to develop innovative goals and action plans that align with the overall vision and mission of the City, as well as serving as the City’s staff liaison for the Brookfield Conference Center and Visit Brookfield. The Director contributes to the overall management of the City as a member of the Department Head Team, while leading over thirteen (13) FTEs with three (3) direct report positions and managing a $2.5M operating department budget.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs land use, environmental, conservation, sustainability and other quality of life activities, which develop and maintain high-quality residential neighborhoods and strong commercial, multiple-family residential and industrial sectors through assisting City officials, private businesses, and property owners in a manner consistent with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Directs and coordinates the development, update and implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan including corridor studies, land use plans, housing studies, neighborhood plans, and related transportation studies.
• Directs the drafting, administration and review of development agreements, land use resolutions and zoning ordinances.
• Administers the City Official Map and the zoning and subdivision codes.
• Develops administration and legislative goals, objectives, and strategies for municipal programs related to planning, community, and economic development.
• Presents to City commissions, committees, Common Council, neighborhood groups and civic organizations.
• Prepares and administers departmental budget.
• Directs the selection, training, supervision, evaluation, and discipline of department staff.
• Administers the activities of the Community Development Authority as Executive Director, including the creation and planning aspects of tax increment districts, development incentives and other redevelopment activities.
• Prepares annual reports for the Tax Increment District Joint Review Board.
• Collaborates often with other department heads and the Mayor on a variety of topics related to development, economic development, transportation, quality of life components and tourism.
• Collaborates with other City employees, City officials, and officials from other communities in coordinating planning, community, and economic development activities, issues and concerns.
• Represents the City Administration as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors of Visit Brookfield.
• Directs short-term planning functions for the City, including the processing of subdivisions, conditional uses, re-zonings, plan approvals, Comprehensive Plan amendments and annexations.
• Supervises the coordination of the economic development plan, floodplain, and wetland ordinances; and maintenance of the Plan Commission files, departmental files, and, in collaboration with Information Technology Department, zoning and future land use maps.
• Reviews written specific and detailed recommendations for each development, which is subject to scrutiny and criticism.
• Discusses planning, zoning and development activities with public, developers and other applicants.
• Represents the City on planning and development issues in a variety of venues both within the City and others.
• Provides information to the public through City website, newsletters, news articles, or other media, and represents City’s public policies and related activities with the media through interviews and press releases.

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and related legislation.

THE REQUIREMENTS

1. Master’s degree in urban planning,Public Administration, or related field.
2. Eight (8) years of progressively responsible municipal planning and community development experience.
3. Five (5) or more years of proven leadership experience, including managing teams, overseeing complex development initiatives, and working with diverse stakeholders.
4. Certification by American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is highly preferred.
5. Possess a strong understanding of municipal budget development, fiscal management, strategic planning, and goal setting, with experience in managing and overseeing departmental budgets.

Equivalent combinations of training and experience will be considered.

This is an open recruitment. Applications will be accepted through SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026. This deadline may be extended to meet the needs of the City.