Program Manager (Regional Planning)

Denver Regional Council of Governments; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 104,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is seeking a Program Manager (Regional Planning) to lead staff, manage budgets, and advance Metro Vision initiatives for the Denver region. You will collaborate with local governments and planning partners to implement regional strategies and programs.

The role requires a background in urban and regional planning, 5–7 years of experience with supervisory responsibilities, and strong leadership in stakeholder engagement and policy analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning, geography, public administration or directly related field, with five to seven years of experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• A Master’s Degree in a related field may be preferred.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Directs staff by prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, and ensuring training and policy compliance.
• Leads development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services.
• Develops and oversees assigned budgets; allocates resources and monitors expenditures.
• Collaborates with internal and external groups; represents the program and manages contracts when needed.
• Advises executive leadership; provides recommendations based on analyses.
• Acts as a technical resource and expert in urban/regional planning.
• Prepares reports, briefing papers, and presentations on regional planning topics.

Skills

Project management

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Urban planning

Policy analysis

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban & regional planning or related field

Master’s degree preferred

AICP certification preferred

Job description

The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is looking for a Program Manager to help local governments and other planning partners implement the region’s long-range plan, Metro Vision. DRCOG adopted the first Metro Vision plan in 1997, building on a legacy of regional planning that dates back to 1955. Throughout its history, DRCOG’s regional planning efforts have connected growth, transportation, housing, and sustainability.

DRCOG works with individual communities to advance Metro Vision outcomes and objectives through a variety of approaches and at different paces, creating collective impact across the region. If you have experience managing projects, a passion for partnering with local governments, a desire to help improve quality of life in the vibrant Denver region, and an interest in leading a team of practicing planners, we encourage you to apply today!

The Denver Regional Council of Governments serves as a visionary leader along Colorado’s central front range. We tackle the BIG issues, like growth and development, transportation and meeting the needs of older adults. Our success is built on, and defined by, long-standing partnerships and serving as a forum for discussing these and other emerging issues in an effort to collectively find innovative solutions. DRCOG is a Regional Planning Commission per Colorado state statute, and is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Denver region. Our culture and values fuel and inform the work we do. Employees are rewarded with competitive compensation, generous benefits and an adaptable work environment. Sound like a good fit? We’d love to meet you!

About the Position of Program Manager (Regional Planning)

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Division.

• SUPERVISE: Directs staff by prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• LEAD: Directs the activities of a function and/or program which includes developing, approving, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, policies, procedures, systems, standards, or service offerings; ensures compliance of function/program goals, policies and performance expectations.
• RESOURCE: Develops and oversees assigned budgets; allocates resources; reviews and approves justifications for budget items; monitors and controls expenditures.
• COLLABORATE: Develops and maintains internal and external relationships; communicates with internal and external groups regarding services, programs, areas of opportunity, and other information; represents assigned program; negotiates and manages contracts terms and activities when necessary.
• ADVISE: Reviews and approves a variety of records, reports, contracts or other documents; makes decisions or provides recommendations based on findings; serve as an advisor to the organization’s executive team.
• PRACTICE: Acts as a technical resource and subject matter expert within assigned program or function; performs staff work and duties for the most difficult and complex situations and cases.
• Provides leadership on efforts to update and adapt Metro Vision, DRCOG’s long-range plan for growth and development of the Denver region.
• Facilitates efforts to help local governments and other partners implement Metro Vision.
• Provides leadership and coordination for technical assistance programs for member governments.
• Fosters a healthy community of planning practice that encourages innovation and knowledge sharing among local government officials, staff and other regional planning partners.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships to advance and sustain the collective impact commitment described in Metro Vision.
• Leads a team of planners building the capacity and capabilities of local governments and other stakeholders to implement Metro Vision through direct or consultant technical assistance.
• Provides leadership and support in building and maintaining DRCOG’s role in regional planning initiatives.
• Prepares and delivers reports, briefing papers, and presentations on regional planning topics to various audiences.
• Management principles and practices;
• Strategic planning principles;
• Budgeting principles;
• Fiscal policy and financial management;
• Program development and administration principles and practices;
• Practices and methods of coaching and leading the work of others;
• Project management principles;
• Advanced principles and practices of urban and regional planning;
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.
• Techniques and methods for organizing, prioritizing, assigning and monitoring work;
• Best practices in stakeholder engagement and management;
• Planning principles and practices for strategic regional growth and development;
• Planning principles and practices to meet regional and local housing needs;
• Principles and practices in one or more of the following areas of planning practice desirable: transit oriented development, open space conservation, water supply, age-friendly communities concepts, corridor and center/node land use planning, or the transportation/land use connection.
• Providing leadership to staff;
• Delegating and prioritizing work;
• Planning, coordinating, and implementing programs, projects, events, and activities;
• Developing and administering budgets;
• Analyzing processes and making recommendations for improvement;
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations;
• Interpreting analytical reports, summaries, and other related statements;
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications;
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Preparing credible and understandable written materials and presentations;
• Facilitating group discussions and building consensus;
• Exercising political acumen, tact and diplomacy;
• Synthesizing information, articulating issues and making recommendations;
• Understanding and defining agency and division needs and creating work programs;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, governmental and non- governmental agency personnel, elected officials, consultants, and the public;
• Facilitating and leading interagency work groups and committees.

Education and experience requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning, geography, public administration or directly related field and five to seven years of experience, including two years of supervisory experience. A Master’s Degree in a field directly related to assignment may be preferred. Supervision of staff on projects and tasks may be considered in lieu of experience with direct staff reports. ORAn equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Licensing/Certifications:

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred, but not required.

Status:

• Full-time, Exempt

Compensation and benefits:

The hiring salary range for this position is $4,308.33 - $5,383.71/semi-monthly or $8,616.66 - $10,767.42/month depending on qualifications.

This position is open until 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday, September 25, 2026.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.