Planning Director

City of Montgomery, AL; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Montgomery, AL is seeking a Director to lead the Planning Department, overseeing long-range land use, zoning, subdivision regulation, and development review. The role includes coordinating permitting and transportation planning and serving as the MPO lead administrator.

The position drives strategic planning, manages the capital improvements program, and ensures engagement with regional planning bodies. A Master’s degree and extensive planning leadership experience are required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field; six years supervising a planning function.
• AICP certification strongly preferred; eligible to obtain within two years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the Planning Department's long-range land use planning, zoning, subdivision regulation and development review.
• Coordinate permitting and transportation planning activities across divisions.
• Lead MPO administration and representation to regional planning bodies; oversee capital improvements program.

Skills

Leadership

Intergovernmental collaboration

Strategic planning

Public administration

Education

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

AICP certification

Tools

None

Job description

The fundamental reason this position exists is to manage the City’s Planning Department, which includes long-range land use planning, zoning, subdivision regulation, development review, permitting coordination, and transportation planning functions. The Director also serves as the lead administrator for the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Key responsibilities include developing and managing strategic plans; creating, developing, and maintaining the City’s comprehensive plan; overseeing zoning ordinance and subdivision regulation updates; coordinating and supervising development and land use application reviews; and facilitating public engagement and intergovernmental collaboration. The Director plays a central leadership role in developing the capital improvements program in alignment with the comprehensive plan, managing studies and consultant-led planning projects, securing funding for planning initiatives, ensuring records and documentation are maintained, managing departmental and MPO budgets, supervising multidisciplinary staff, and serving as the City’s representative to Envision 2050 and other regional planning bodies. Supervision is exercised over professional and technical staff responsible for Long Range Planning, Land Use and Zoning, and Transportation Planning, including the MPO. This classification reports to the Planning, Permitting, and Inspections Director.

Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field and six (6) years of experience supervising and managing a primary planning function or division responsible for long-range planning, transportation planning, or similar. Two years of qualifying experience can substitute for the master’s degree.

NOTE: Qualifying education, training, and experience that provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job will be considered.

American Institute Certified Planners (AICP) certification is strongly preferred. Candidates without current certification must be eligible and willing to obtain it within two years of hire. Active membership in the American Planning Association (APA) is encouraged