Director of Development Services

The City of University Park; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of University Park seeks a Director of Development Services to lead economic development, planning, and building inspection activities. You will shape growth strategies, coordinate with departments, and partner with SMU to advance community goals.

This executive role requires strong communication and relationship skills to attract businesses, oversee complex development projects, and guide citywide initiatives through the development process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Community Development, Business, Real Estate, Construction Management, Economic Development, Public Administration or Finance.
• Five+ years of experience in development services; Three years of supervisory experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication and the ability to build working relationships with government officials, local developers, businesses, and the community.
• Experience with strategic planning, zoning and development review processes.
• Ability to market the City creatively and persuasively to attract prospective businesses.

Responsibilities

• Plans, manages, and implements economic development activities to secure a strong and diversified City revenue base.
• Works one-on-one with local businesses to identify, develop and implement plans to expand the non-residential tax base.
• Develops strategies that promote business growth, attraction, and retention, ensuring a stable and sustainable economic environment.
• Collaborates across departments to align economic development priorities with land use planning, infrastructure investment, permitting, and parking objectives.
• Leads and facilitates meetings with development prospects, key stakeholders and City staff.
• Fosters a strong, collaborative partnership with Southern Methodist University (SMU) to align institutional and municipal goals.

Job description

Under the direction of the City Manager/Assistant City Manager, the Director of Development Services leads, directs and manages the City’s development initiatives. This position directs and manages all activities and operations of the department, including the Building Inspection and Planning Divisions and shepherds all development projects through the development process for the City of University Park.

Learn More About This Opportunity

To learn more about the Director of Development Services position, the City of University Park, and this exciting leadership opportunity, please view our Director of Development Services Recruitment Brochure.

Economic Development Planning & Strategy:

• Plans, manages, and implements economic development activities to secure a strong and diversified City revenue base.
• Works one-on-one with local businesses to identify, develop and implement plans to expand the non-residential tax base.

• Develops strategies that promote business growth, attraction, and retention, ensuring a stable and sustainable economic environment for the community.

• Collaborates across departments to align economic development priorities with land use planning, infrastructure investment, permitting, and parking objectives.

• Leads and facilitates meetings with development prospects, key stakeholders and City staff.

• Fosters a strong, collaborative partnership with Southern Methodist University (SMU) to align institutional and municipal goals, driving mutually beneficial economic and community initiatives.

Business Growth, Retention & Expansion:

• Works directly with local businesses, developers, brokers and real estate professionals to support expansion, address challenges, and identify growth opportunities that expand the City’s non-residential tax base.

• Coordinates with internal departments to facilitate development processes and resolve issues impacting development.

• Seeks to leverage private sector investment to promote and grow the City’s economy and to foster a business-friendly environment.

• Acts as a key point of contact for the business community, developers, and contractors to foster a collaborative economic environment.

Interdepartmental & External Coordination:

• Supervises the building inspection and planning divisions of the Community Development Department.

• Works collaboratively with other City departments, regional partners, consultants, and DART to support economic development initiatives.

• Leads an internal Development Relations Committee meeting on a regular basis to review upcoming and current development and to ensure citywide coordination on key projects.

Research, Analysis & Reporting:

• Conducts research and analysis related to economic conditions, demographic trends, real estate activity, development projects, and target industries.

• Collects, compiles, and analyzes data from various sources; prepares reports, summaries and dashboards.

• Stays abreast of new development, real estate transactions, planned development, market trends, major property owners and other relevant information.

Minimum

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Community Development, Business, Real Estate, Construction Management, Economic Development, Public Administration or Finance.

Experience: Five or more years of experience in development services. Work experience in economic development, planning or a related field is preferred. Three years of supervisory experience.

Communication: Strong written and verbal communication and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, local developers, businesses, and the community. Exceptional skill in public speaking, professional communication, and relationship management with business, public, and governmental partners. Adept at marketing the City creatively and persuasively to attract prospective businesses.

Project Administration and Coordination: Organizational skills for managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines. Experience with strategic planning, zoning and building inspection services. Ability to assist with and oversee zoning and development review processes.

Strategic and Managerial Skills: Experience managing complex projects and strong supervisory skills. Ability to balance multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to evolving priorities.

Economic Development Program Management: Knowledge of business attraction, retention, and expansion strategies relevant to Texas municipalities. Ability to analyze economic and market trends and make recommendations for action.

Research and Data Analysis: Proficiency in compiling, analyzing, and interpreting demographic, market, and financial data. Ability to conduct research and prepare comprehensive reports for internal and external audiences.

Preferred

American Institute of Certified Planners designation is preferred. ISCS certification or Certified Retail Real Estate Professional is preferred. Experience working with higher education institutions is preferred

Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office environment. Physical demands are sedentary in nature with prolonged sitting. Work may cause eye and finger fatigue due to prolonged, repetitive tasks. The position requires regular and consistent attendance at functions and meetings in other buildings and at other sites and is subject to responding to emergencies on an on-call basis. Requires moderate physical effort in carrying/moving 5-10 pounds. Includes walking, standing, reaching, bending, and occasionally driving a vehicle.