Director, Urban Planning & Economic Development

WSB and Associates; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K with match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

WSB seeks a Director of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) to provide strategic and operational leadership for the CPED group. The role guides staff, drives growth initiatives, tracks budgets, and ensures successful delivery of complex planning projects and key client relationships.

The Director leads public engagement efforts, coordinates cross-functional teams, and oversees workforce planning, project delivery, and business development priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or closely related field required; Master’s preferred.
• AICP certification or ability to obtain within one year.
• 5+ years of leadership experience; 10–15 years planning experience overall.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple leadership levels and oversee staff performance and development.
• Translate growth strategy into annual goals and plans.
• Secure resources and budget for the team.
• Oversee financial performance and revenue targets for the area.
• Manage complex, multidisciplinary planning projects and client relationships.
• Lead public engagement processes ensuring equitable involvement.
• Represent WSB and CPED at conferences and with clients.
• Use AI and digital tools to elevate project quality while ensuring ethics and accuracy.
• Utilize Salesforce to identify market trends and collaboration opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client relationships

Public engagement

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Team coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning

Master's in Urban/Regional Planning

AICP certification

Tools

Salesforce

AI tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

WSB seeks a Director of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) to provide strategic and operational leadership for the CPED group. The role guides staff, drives growth initiatives, tracks budgets, and ensures successful delivery of complex planning projects and key client relationships.

The Director leads public engagement efforts, coordinates cross-functional teams, and oversees workforce planning, project delivery, and business development priorities.