Planning Manager

City of Bothell; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bothell seeks a Planning Manager to lead its Planning Division, guiding current and long-range planning to deliver policy-driven development services. The role serves as a technical leader for complex proposals and will drive process improvements and collaborative culture within the division.

The successful candidate will build partnerships with staff, stakeholders, and the community to support thoughtful growth and exceptional public service, with initial onsite work and potential

Responsibilities

• Direct and administer the operations of the Planning Division, overseeing current planning (development review) and long-range planning functions as assigned.
• Ensures development review services are delivered efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with broader planning policy objectives.
• Serve as the technical authority for complex, high-profile, and sensitive development proposals, providing guidance on code interpretation and regulatory decision-making.
• Identify policy gaps, procedural inefficiencies, and code-related issues through the development review process, leading targeted updates to improve clarity, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Communicate complex planning, development, and regulatory matters effectively to diverse audiences, including staff, applicants, stakeholders, elected officials, and the public.
• Promote a responsive, solution-oriented approach to customer service while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, City policies, and established procedures.

Job description

Job Description Please note: Application may not be accepted if it is incomplete. Adding your resume and/or cover letter in lieu of the application may not be accepted as well.

Job Description Please note: Application may not be accepted if it is incomplete. Adding your resume and/or cover letter in lieu of the application may not be accepted as well.

JOB POSTING UPDATED, 7/30/2026: Second round of review will happen Thursday, August 13th

The City of Bothell is seeking a Planning Manager to lead its Planning Division! The Planning Manager will lead the Planning Division’s operations, overseeing current and long-range planning functions to deliver effective, consistent, and policy-driven development services. This role will serve as a technical leader for complex development proposals, advance process and policy improvements, and foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, and accountability.

The Planning Manager will build strong partnerships with staff, stakeholders, and the community to support thoughtful growth and exceptional public service.

Recruitment Information

• First review will happen Tuesday, July 7th 5:00 pm > Already happened but will do second review on Thursday, August 13th
• Typical schedule will be a 5/8s schedule, with a preferred start time of 8:00 am.
• Note: This role will initially be onsite for up to the first six months with the potential opportunity to transition to a hybrid schedule.

What will you do in this position?

• Direct and administer the operations of the Planning Division, overseeing current planning (development review) and long-range planning functions as assigned. Ensures development review services are delivered efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with broader planning policy objectives.
• Demonstrate and foster the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability, contributing to a positive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment.
• Serve as the technical authority for complex, high-profile, and sensitive development proposals, providing guidance on code interpretation, approval conditions, and regulatory decision-making.
• Identify policy gaps, procedural inefficiencies, and code-related issues through the development review process, leading targeted updates to improve clarity, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Communicate complex planning, development, and regulatory matters effectively to diverse audiences, including staff, applicants, stakeholders, elected officials, and the public.
• Promote a responsive, solution-oriented approach to customer service while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, City policies, and established procedures.

A Successful Candidate In This Position Will

• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally across a variety of settings.
• Provide clear direction, fosters accountability, develops staff, and creates a positive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment.
• Maintain objectivity and sound judgment when analyzing complex information.
• Contribute to group success by sharing knowledge, resources, and responsibility.
• Demonstrate honesty and transparency in all actions and communications.
• Adapt to change with flexibility and a commitment to inclusive practices.
• Uphold high standards of service in support of organizational and community goals.

About City Of Bothell

• The City is comprised of 13.6 square miles within both King and Snohomish Counties and is home to 51,760 people (2025). This figure is projected to grow to nearly 75,000 over the next 20 years in tandem with Bothell’s increasingly vibrant downtown and life sciences employment cluster near the I-405 corridor.
• Learn more about the City’s Organizational Values and the Bothell’s City Council 2040 Vision and Strategic Priorities.
• Learn more about the City of Bothell's Community Development Department here!

Why Bothell?

Bothell offers a career-enriching opportunity to apply your skills and experience in a way that has a positive effect on the community. We encourage professional growth and for employees to “think outside the box”. We value work-life balance and provide paid vacation and sick leave benefits.

• We offer ample time off including 11 paid holidays as well as 2 personal holidays.
• As an employee, you have access to a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision for you and your family.
• We also offer life and disability insurance, state pension membership and deferred compensation for retirement.
• Commute trip reduction, alternative work schedules, flexible work environment, and hybrid work options are available when appropriate.
• The City of Bothell creates an environment that supports wellness practices which enhance the quality of life for City employees, and encourage and incentivize participation in an employee wellness program.
• The City is a recipient of the Association of Washington Cities WellCity Award.

The City of Bothell is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants.

Our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for improving people’s lives.

The City of Bothell recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We seek to recruit and hire talented and engaged job candidates from a widely diverse range of backgrounds.

We celebrate the diversity in our workplace and community and believe it makes us stronger.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please send an email to [e-mail].

To learn more about the City of Bothell’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, visit the DEI at Bothell Webpage.

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