General Services Director

Overview

To apply, please visit  and click on the General Services Director, City of Durham, NC title.

• All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) – NOT the organization’s employment application portal or any other external website.
• Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application
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• Applicants should apply by March 6, 2026
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• The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to virtual interviews and skill evaluations on April 16-17, 2026
  . Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.
• Direct inquiries to hirin

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $145,602 – $232,962
, depending on qualifications and experience. The City offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a comprehensive wellness program. The position includes residency requirements consistent with organizational policies and needs.

Are you a leader who enjoys running large, complex operations and working in public service? Are you comfortable leading multiple teams and ensuring work gets done well, on time, and within budget? Are you motivated by shaping the places where people live, work, gather, and connect—and leaving them better than you found them? Do you have experience with delivering projects with an outcome mindset, while collaborating with consultants, partners, and identified community stakeholders?

If so, the City of Durham is seeking a General Services Director to provide executive leadership for the stewardship of City facilities, property, and public spaces. The General Services Director isn’t just a department head; the successful candidate will be the custodian of Durham’s future and a primary architect of the city’s physical identity. This is a rare opportunity.

The General Services Department plays a critical role in supporting Durham’s quality of life and economic vitality by managing the City’s built environment through strategic planning, facilities operations, and capital project delivery. The General Services Director oversees a diverse range of services—from building design and construction to facilities maintenance, landscaping and urban forestry, cemeteries, real estate services, cultural and public art programs, and sustainability initiatives—that support the City’s physical assets.

About the Community:

The City of Durham is located in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County, with a growing and diverse population. Durham is known for its medical facilities, universities, and a thriving tech and biotech sector.

The City’s FY 2025–2026 general operating budget totals $772 million, with a property tax rate of 43.71 cents per $100 of assessed value. The budget supports community safety, employee compensation, and infrastructure projects, and reflects investments funded by a voter-approved bond for parks, sidewalks, and streets.

The City’s day-to-day operations and growth plans are guided by its Strategic Plan, Durham:
Level Up Durham, updated in 2024. Learn more about the City of Durham here.

Reporting to the City Manager’s Office, the General Services Director leads one of the City’s most complex operational departments, with responsibility for the stewardship of City facilities, property, and public spaces. This position also serves as a visible representative and principal advisor to City leadership, the City Council, boards and commissions, partner agencies, and the public.

The Director oversees day-to-day operations and long-range planning for the City's physical assets, including deferred maintenance and CIP, and provides leadership to a workforce of 124 employees with an operating budget of $21 million. The Director sets departmental direction and ensures City priorities are advanced through governance, policy development, and performance management. The role also provides executive oversight of the City’s partnership with Keep Durham Beautiful—an initiative that engages…