Category: 
Job


Location: Madison, WI

Planning Division Director

Salary: $121,516.00 - $164,046.00 Annually

Closing: 12/3/2023

Description
The City of Madison is seeking its next Planning Division Director to lead a team of 30+ dedicated staff as this city of nearly 300,000 continues to grow and evolve. With the City’s first Bus Rapid Transit line nearing 2024 completion, strong and continued development interest, a demonstrated need and the political will for more housing of all types, and an engaged public, Madison is an ideal place to put planning expertise to work. We are seeking a progressive and collaborative leader to help guide the city through a period of growth requiring strategic investments in land use, housing, transportation, and community to help Madison meet our equity and sustainability goals and maintain our high quality of life.

As part of the broader Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development, the Planning Division has an annual budget of approximately $5 million. Staff in the Division interface regularly with other City agencies and the community through creating and implementing the Comprehensive Plan, subarea plans, development review processes, public art programming, and much more. Please read on, and let us know how your experience makes you a great fit to lead the Planning Division and join Madison’s broader team.

This is a highly responsible managerial position responsible for directing the strategic, operational, and financial functions of the Planning Division. This division is primarily responsible for:

  • The development of the City's Comprehensive Plan and sub-area plans
  • Special project and physical development planning
  • Development review
  • Preservation planning
  • Urban design
  • Madison Arts
  • The division's geographic information system and shared data systems, and
  • A metropolitan-wide transportation planning program through the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization.

This work is characterized by a high degree of independence and initiative in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating the programs and operations of the Planning Division. The position reports to the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development for the City of Madison.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

  • Manage and administer the Planning Division activities and staff. Hire, onboard, train, coach, coordinate, evaluate, develop and discipline staff. Maintain a positive work environment that welcomes and supports a diverse staff. Perform affirmative action and labor relations activities. Provide direction, leadership, information and recommendations to staff on the division's programs, projects, and processes.
  • Develop, administer and monitor the Planning Division's $5.4 million budget. Establish annual division work plans, and performance standards with the Director of Planning, Community, and Economic Development.
  • Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the programs and operations of the Planning Division. Direct the development and maintenance of the City's Comprehensive Plan and sub-area plans, preservation plans, and urban design strategies; review and prepare recommendations on all land use and development, annexation and subdivision requests to the Plan Commission and Common Council; maintain and update of the City's related development ordinances; apply ordinances regarding the physical development of land and buildings; and develop and maintain the division's geographic information systems.
  • Guide and support the implementation of the land use aspects of the comprehensive plan, and ensure that the City's sustainability and equity goals are reflected in its land use and planning policies, programs, and decisions.
  • Lead the team to identify and evaluate proposals, program and policy alternatives, and formulate recommendations for review by various commissions, policy boards, committees, the Mayor and the Common Council.
  • Direct the Planning Division staff in providing administrative and professional level work on land use, annexation, subdivision platting, and other development, programming and policy issues that come before the Common Council, and various commissions, policy boards, committees. Advise, counsel, coordinate and provide professional services to these groups as appropriate. Provide a high degree of professional expertise in interpreting ordinances and City policies to guide the physical development of the City and to carry out the Division's programs.
  • Exercise independent judgment and initiative in facilitating, advising, consulting, and negotiating with property owners and developers, consultants and realtors, neighborhood associations, community groups, City elected officials and other units of government on land use, development and community planning issues. Represent the department and the City in negotiations with other units of government, neighborhood and community groups, developers, property owners and other city organizations on land use, development, and jurisdiction and service delivery issues. Consult, coordinate and collaborate with other divisions of the department, other City departments, elected officials, other units of government and other community organizations.
  • Serve as project manager for special projects at the direction of the Department Director, the Mayor and Common Council. Coordinate and provide division and interdepartmental staff support for staff teams and ad hoc committees.
  • Maintain current awareness of related planning, land use and zoning laws, policies, practices and programs.
  • Perform related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Five (5) years of experience working in urban and regional planning and land use, two years of which was in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
  • Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Urban Studies, Real Estate, Economics, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Political Science, or other related studies and programs.

If an applicant does not possess the specific requirements outlined above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses the following equivalent experience:

Four (4) years of experience in applying the following:

  • Theories, principles and practices of applicable land use, community planning, and urban design theory, principles and practices.
  • Computer software applicable to the duties of the position.

Two (2) years of experience in applying the following:

  • Supervisory principles and practices, labor relations and personnel management.
  • Equitable and sustainable development principles.

Familiarity with the following:

  • Transportation planning.
  • Public administration principles.
  • Budgetary principles and procedures.
  • Racial equity and social justice issues/concerns.

Special Requirements

  • The employee in this position will be expected to attend frequent Common Council, Plan Commission and related committee and commission meetings as well as other public meetings as required. Such meetings generally take place outside the regular work day during evening hours.
  • Ability to meet the transportation requirements of the position.
  • A condition of employment for this position requires residency in the City of Madison.

How to Apply
Apply online at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/madisonwi/jobs/4252398/planning-division-director

There are 3 supplemental essay questions on the job posting. you must attach your answers in the attachments section of your application. you must also attach a resume. (To view the questions, click on the supplemental question tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin).