Director of Community Development

Cheltenham Township; Elkins Park Gardens (PA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Cheltenham Township is seeking a Director of Community Development to lead the team responsible for land use, zoning, code enforcement, and building permits. The role focuses on implementing best practices for a healthy, vibrant community and coordinating with the Township Manager and boards. A strong background in planning, policy, and people management is essential to success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, urban studies, public administration, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, zoning, and land use administration.
• Minimum of four years of supervisory/management experience; strong project management.
• Pennsylvania Zoning Officer certification required or to be obtained within 6 months; certifications like BCO, PE, AICP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a team overseeing land use, zoning, code enforcement, and building permit functions.
• Manage policy development and implementation to ensure best practices for a healthy, vibrant community.
• Collaborate with Township Manager, Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and external partners to advance projects.
• Direct staff development, budgeting, and program evaluation to meet strategic goals.

Skills

Zoning knowledge

Leadership

Policy development

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, urban studies, public administration, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

OpenGov ERP

Job description

Cheltenham Township is seeking a Director of Community Development to lead a team charged with administration and oversight of the Township’s land use and planning, code enforcement, building permit and related functions. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced land use professional to ensure that the Township is implementing and enforcing best practices for a healthy, vibrant community.

Cheltenham is a diverse, inner-ring suburban community with over 37,000 residents that enjoys the benefits of close proximity to Philadelphia, hosting multiple business districts, two historic districts, a robust public transportation infrastructure, 25 parks and open spaces, and multiple institutes of higher education across its nine square miles. The Director of Community Development works closely with various internal and external partners, including the Township Manager, Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, Shade Tree Advisory Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, property owners, contractors and the development community. The position will oversee a staff of Therefore, the ability to clearly communicate technical subject matter across a diverse and disparate array of stakeholders is critical.

The Director of Community Development is responsible for managing, coaching, and developing team members and must have extensive depth of expertise and knowledge in land use, zoning, code enforcement, historic preservation, environmental planning, economic development, and other related areas to assist in reviewing and developing policies and procedures, as well as determining efficient and innovative ways to accomplish the Township’s strategies.

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, planning, urban studies, public administration, or a related field, with a master’s degree preferred; a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, zoning, and land use administration; and a minimum of four years of supervisory and management experience, including significant project management experience. Pennsylvania Zoning Officer certification is required or must be obtained within 6 months of appointment; BCO, PE and/or AICP certifications preferred. Experience with ArcGIS and ERP systems (OpenGov), a plus. A valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License is required.(Salary $130,000 to $152,000 DOQ, plus benefits).