Planning Manager

City of Allen; Allen (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Allen, TX is seeking a Planning Manager to lead professional and technical staff in urban planning and development review. You will oversee annual budgets, coordinate zoning and subdivision processes, and guide policy directions with boards and commissions.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Urban Planning plus five years of relevant experience with supervisory responsibility; AICP preferred. The position offers full-time hours and comprehensive benefits, with a strong focus on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or related field and five years of relevant experience.
• One year of supervisory experience.
• AICP certification preferred.
• Valid Texas driver’s license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop staff, assign work, and manage performance.
• Assist in annual department budget and resource planning.
• Oversee planning processes, reviews, and policy direction.
• Coordinate with boards and commissions and developers.
• Ensure zoning and development standards align with regulations.
• Respond to inquiries and prepare staff reports for Council.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Analytical thinking

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or related field

Tools

GIS

CAD

Job description

Planning Manager

Allen, TX

Join the City of Allen—a vibrant community of over 100,000 residents where strong economic growth, excellent schools, and an exceptional quality of life make it a great place to live, work, and play.

Our mission is simple: “To achieve excellence in managing community development and city services, continually enhancing the quality of life and public confidence.”

PRIDE Values

• People First– Prioritizing others
• Respect – Treating everyone with courtesy and dignity
• Integrity – Serving with honesty and trust
• Deliver – Following through and exceeding expectations
• Excel– Driving innovation and continuous improvement

We do Work that MATTERS! Join a team that serves our community and makes a real impact every day. Learn more about the City of Allen at allentx.gov.

Essential Job Functions

• Manages professional and technical personnel by instructing, assigning, reviewing, and planning the work of others, monitoring standards, coordinating activities, allocating resources, recommending promotions and salary increases as appropriate, interviewing, selecting, and hiring new employees, and providing training and development for employees.
• Oversees department activities by assisting in the preparation and maintenance of the annual department budget, including projections, fiscal responsibilities, and resource management, establishing goals and objectives, identifying programs and projects, assisting in resolving problems and issues, and preparing reports.
• Manages the planning process by overseeing staff review, providing support to boards and commissions, coordinating the development review process for internal and external customers, overseeing special projects, assigning cases and inquiries to planners, identifying policy directions, and interpreting the zoning and subdivision regulations.
• Conducts development review activities, including platting and zoning requests by meeting with developers and citizens, responding to inquiries, and making presentations to Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
• Ensures ordinances are up to date by coordinating and revising development standards in the zoning and subdivision ordinances and presenting revised standards to boards, commissions, and City Council to implement new or revised standards to meet new regulations at the regional, State, and Federal levels.
• Performs administrative duties by conducting research, compiling staff reports and other case material for timely submission to the Council, overseeing addressing, permit review process, open records requests, and online GIS mapping projects/products.
• Responds to professional and citizen inquiries by responding to inquiries, providing information to developers, citizens, outside organizations, and other employees, meeting with public groups, making presentations, relaying technical information regarding zoning and development applications, and interpreting zoning, subdivision, and development ordinances.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Operates under the City of Allen’s core values of People First, Respect, Integrity, Deliver and Excel.

Job Requirements

Education and Experience:

• a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including one (1) year of supervisory experience or equivalent

Knowledge of

• City rules, regulations, policies, and procedures with particular attention to codes and ordinances.
• Supervisory methods and techniques.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Urban planning and development and local government policies and procedures.
• Housing, zoning, and economic development.
• Research methods and statistical principles related to urban growth and development.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.

Skill in

• Establishing and maintaining working relationships with professional and support staff, vendors, the public, and City employees.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Providing outstanding customer service and conflict resolution.
• Identifying opportunities to improve customer service and satisfaction.
• Operating highly technical computer applications, such as GIS or CAD.
• Analyze problems, identify alternate solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.
• Reading and understanding City, State and Federal rules and regulations.
• Creating, preparing, writing, and proofing reports, documents, and correspondence.
• Working effectively in a high-pressure environment with changing priorities.
• Effectively communicating in both oral and written format.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid Texas Class C driver’s license.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred.

Supplemental Information

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Allen and the employee and may be revised by the employer as needed.

The City of Allen is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or military status in employment or in the provision of services.

The City of Allen participates in the federal e-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Jump into a full‑time role (40 hours/week) with the City of Allen and enjoy a benefits package designed to support you at work and in life! You’ll receive comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, basic and optional life insurance, long‑term disability, accrued vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, TMRS retirement with a 2-to-1 city match, a 457 deferred compensation plan, and longevity bonuses.

All City employees also have free access to recreation centers including:

• Don Rodenbaugh Aquatics Center
• Ford Pool (Summer Only)
• Joe Farmer Recreation Center
• The Edge (Summer Only)
• Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center
• Allen Senior Recreation Center (60+)

Plus, enjoy wellness challenges, book clubs, LinkedIn Learning, foodie groups, education assistance, CPR & Stop the Bleed training, leadership essentials, safety training, City Suite Event Center tickets, city conferences, health fairs, walking clubs, safety golf tournaments, possible hybrid or flexible schedules, and many more employee perks!