Director, City Planning

The City of Cleveland is seeking a Director of City Planning to lead long-range planning efforts, including the 2040 Citywide Plan and lakefront projects. This role involves strategic direction for the department, managing a budget of $3-4M, and overseeing approximately 35 staff members. The director will also foster relationships with community partners and represent the department in legislative hearings. This position is based in Cleveland, OH.
Director, City Planning

About the City of Cleveland. Mayor Justin M. Bibb has built a team that reflects the diversity of our city and is working daily to deliver a modern and responsive city government to bring City Hall into the 21st century. The Bibb Administration has made substantial progress in modernizing City Hall, advancing lakefront and riverfront development, making long-term investments in strategic initiatives in site redevelopment, housing affordability, and neighborhood development.

Mayor Bibb’s vision for Cleveland is to become a national model for city management, police reform, and neighborhood revitalization.

The City of Cleveland employs over 8,000 people dedicated to public service and we’re looking for emerging and experienced leaders to help us move forward.

About the City Planning Commission. Chartered in 1915 as one of the oldest Planning Commissions in the United States, Cleveland’s City Planning Commission envisions a thriving urban community resilient in the face of changing regional, national, and global conditions. We accomplish this by enhancing physical development, preserving the City’s history, and creating places for people that are healthy, sustainable and vibrant for current and future generations.

About the Department of City Planning. The Department of City Planning is an advocate for the preservation and establishment of prosperous communities that are authentic and diverse, providing equitable access to the resources necessary for residents to thrive. The department currently has 34 staff members who serve the City Planning Commission, the Landmarks Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Board of Building Standards and Appeals.
Job Description:

Director, City Planning
• Provides vision and direction for long-range planning efforts such as the 2040 Citywide Plan, major projects on the lakefront and riverfront, and other citywide policy initiatives that support a 15-minute city.
• Leads culture change in City Hall and in the Department of City Planning through buy-in and relationship building.
• Provides strategic direction to the department and participates in the Mayor’s Integrated Development efforts across the administration.
• Drives implementation of key plans including the lakefront and riverfront plans and citywide mobility plan, and drives forward critical planning efforts such as the citywide plan.
• Stewards a department of ~35 staff members serving four different boards and commissions and provides guidance and expertise to the leaders of the Planning Commission, Landmarks Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and the Board of Building Standards and Building Appeals.
• Organizes professional development for staff members and coaches, trains and mentors the departmental leadership team.
• Responsibly manages an annual budget of $3-4M and understands public finance.
• Represents the Department of City Planning at Council’s legislative and operational hearings.
• Develops strong working relationships with neighborhood partners, organizations and residents in order to produce engaged planning and zoning efforts.
• Leads continuous process improvement to the organization in the areas of development review, communications, and overall operations.
• Understands and manages cases for the City Planning Commission and ensures proper procedures for the four boards and commissions, speaking on the record on behalf of the City Planning Commission regularly.
• Attends and manages public involvement and engagement with an ability to practice active listening and educate the public around planning principles.
• Participate as asked in public interviews, speaking engagements, panels, etc.
• Any other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, land use, public administration, sustainability and environmental studies or related field from a four-year accredited college or university is required.
• Exercises strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Understands contemporary urban issues, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively, building and…