Director of Development Services

Clear Career Professionals; Denison (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Clear Career Professionals seeks a Director of Development Services in Denison, TX, to serve as the City Manager’s lead for planning, land use, growth management, and development. The role guides the historic downtown and oversees planning, zoning, permitting, building inspections, code compliance, and GIS coordination.

As a trusted advisor to the City Manager and boards, you will balance development goals with historic preservation, directing budgets, staffing, and cross‑department

Qualifications

• Degree and seven years public-sector planning or development experience, with supervisory duties.
• Experience in planning, zoning, land use, permitting, development review, and leadership.
• Ability to collaborate with boards, developers, officials, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Lead Development Services Department operations, staff, and programs.
• Oversee land use planning, Comprehensive Plan, zoning, and development regulations.
• Review zoning requests, plats, site plans, variances, and provide board recommendations.
• Serve as liaison to developers, agencies, and the public on regulatory matters.
• Develop departmental goals, budget, and advise City Manager on growth.

Skills

Public Administration

Urban planning

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, or closely related field

Master's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, or closely related field

Tools

GIS software

Planning software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Reporting to the City Manager's Office, the Director of Development Services is the City's lead professional for planning, land use, growth management, and development. Serving as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, City Council, the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Historic Preservation Board, and other boards and commissions, the Director helps transform community vision into projects that strengthen neighborhoods, encourage investment, and support Denison's long-term success. Central to this role is the stewardship of Denison's nationally recognized, award-winning downtown and historic districts, ensuring that as the community grows, the historic character and hometown feel residents treasure are actively protected, not left behind.

The Director leads a multidisciplinary department responsible for planning, zoning, permitting, building inspections, neighborhood services, code compliance, historic preservation, floodplain management, and GIS coordination. The Director also guides historic preservation planning and partners with the Historic Preservation Board to balance new growth with the protection of Denison's heritage, alongside oversight of pre-development processes with developers and special districts such as Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ) and Public Improvement Districts (PIDs).

While technical expertise is essential, this position is equally about leadership, collaboration, and building consensus. Success requires balancing responsive customer service with regulatory responsibility, coordinating across City departments, and working proactively with developers, property owners, and regional partners, including the Denison Development Alliance (the city's economic development organization), to move quality projects forward while ensuring consistent application of City policies and standards, all while preserving the character that makes Denison unique.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the department. Directs the operations, staff, and programs of the Development Services Department across all divisions.
• Guide land use. Administers the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, building codes, and development regulations, and leads long-range and small-area planning.
• Steward development. Reviews zoning requests, plats, site plans, variances, and other applications, and presents recommendations to boards, commissions, and Council.
• Build relationships. Serves as primary liaison to developers, property owners, agencies, regional partners, and the public on development and regulatory matters.
• Manage resources. Develops departmental goals, performance measures, and the budget, and advises the City Manager on matters affecting growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business, Management, Architecture, Urban Planning, or a closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in public-sector planning or development, including five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, zoning, land use, permitting, development review, and organizational leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Professional certification such as AICP, CNU, LEED, or Development Finance Certification.
• Demonstrated success leading development services in a growing community, balancing quality customer service, sound planning principles, and collaborative relationships with elected officials, developers, and the public.