DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR 2026

City of Fayetteville; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fayetteville seeks a seasoned leader to supervise Development Services, overseeing Planning and Building Safety, development review, and code enforcement. You will guide staff, manage the development review lifecycle from application to occupancy, and build strong relationships with developers and community groups.

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with seven years of relevant experience including management, plus strong communications and policy interpretation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of relevant experience with seven years in management.
• Experience improving a permitting, review, or approval process.
• Experience working with applicants from public or private sectors.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Leadership team member capable of contributing to new concepts and problem solving.
• Strong oral and written communications under complex conditions.
• Ability to present to staff, the public and City Council clearly.
• Ability to interpret city, county, state, and federal laws quickly.
• Proficient with computers and standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff and direct operations in accordance with city policies and laws.
• Administer Planning and Building Safety divisions and related services.
• Define and refine the development review process from application to occupancy.
• Build relationships with developers, builders and community groups.
• Assist applicants in finding code-compliant paths to approval; propose amendments as needed.
• Oversee code administration and enforcement in coordination with Planning.
• Attend City Council meetings and advise on planning policy and zoning issues.
• Coordinate cross-departmental reviews and improve development processes.
• Develop and implement planning policies and budget for the department.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Management experience

Public administration

Planning

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Legal interpretation

Computer proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Office software

Job description

The City of Fayetteville is committed to attracting, engaging and rewarding a multi-generational workforce. By offering a total rewards package including competitive compensation and benefits plans and a purposeful work life, the City is an employer of choice focused on serving our community.

Essential Job Duties

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience, consistent with the City’s adopted pay plan.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Note: All City of Fayetteville supervisory positions require employees to demonstrate leadership competencies by exhibiting appropriate role modeling, and setting proper examples. In addition, all City of Fayetteville positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees (especially members, of their own team), and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Other essential duties of this position include the following:

1. Perform supervisory responsibilities which may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City's policies and applicable laws.
2. Administer and supervise the divisions of City Planning and Building Safety as a full-service permitting, development, and code compliance department. Administer and supervise the Planning and Building Safety divisions alongside related business license, code compliance, and other services. Primary program and division responsibilities include: development review, administration and interpretation of zoning/development ordinances; protection of the health, safety, and welfare of citizens as it relates to buildings in the city; and enforcement of adopted ordinances.
3. Development Review Process – Responsible for defining and refining the development review process utilized by staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council to review and approve zoning/development items. Own the applicant’s experience of development review from application through certificate of occupancy. Set and publish review timelines and report performance against them. Coordinate the staff review process and resolve conflicts between applicants and staff. Convene all reviewing departments to resolve issues that cross departmental and divisional areas of responsibility. Coordinate a comprehensive and on-going review and update of zoning and development regulations. Develop and implement policies and procedures that make development services effective, efficient, and predictable.
4. Build working relationships with developers, builders, design professionals, business owners, and neighborhood groups. Seek their feedback regularly and use it to improve processes and ordinances.
5. Help applicants find code-compliant paths to approval and recommend ordinance amendments when existing regulations impede outcomes supported by adopted City plans.
6. Code Administration – Consult with City Planning on the final interpretation, administration and enforcement of the planning and zoning ordinances of the City. Report to the City Council on all matters pertaining to zoning, development, sign regulations, and planning code enforcement. Ensure staffing of the Planning Commission and its subcommittees, Board of Adjustment, and the Historic District and Black Heritage Commissions.
7. Attend City Council meetings and provide recommendations to the Mayor and Council on policy/ordinance items during Council and Committee meetings, relative to Planning, and Building Safety divisions, and development-related issues.
8. Coordinate efforts between departments and divisions to evaluate development and land use applications and to enforce current ordinances through investigation and prosecution. Supervise staff to maintain efficient and consistent daily operations, especially through the development review process.
9. Develop new ordinances to meet goals and policies set forth by the Mayor and City Council and make recommendations regarding policy decisions based on research, analysis and sound planning principles.
10. Prepare and administer annual budget for department, review and approve operations and capital budget submissions for divisions within Development Services department.
11. Perform other related duties as assigned

Secondary Job Duties

1. Visit and visually or physically inspect construction project sites.
2. Secondary duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree from a college or university and seven years of relevant experience with a minimum of seven years of management experience. Relevant experience includes planning, public administration, construction, real estate development, law, or engineering. Master's degree preferred.
2. Demonstrated record of improving a permitting, review, or approval process, measured in time or customer satisfaction.
3. Experience working directly with applicants, from either the public or private side.
4. Must possess a valid driver’s license.
5. This position serves as a key member of the organization's leadership team and must possess the ability to contribute to the development of new concepts and principles and participate in problem solving complex issues.
6. Skill in effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications, often under complex conditions that require good judgment.
7. Must possess public presentation skills to provide presentations to staff, the public and City Council in a clear, effective manner.
8. Ability to interpret a variety of city, county, state, and federal laws, making decisions and taking action quickly.
9. Must be proficient in the use of a computer and other related software programs. Must be able to effectively operate standard office equipment.
10. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities to accomplish computer and office work.
11. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and risk of injury by visiting various project locations, operational departments, equipment demonstrations and construction sites

The City of Fayetteville is an equal employment opportunity employer.