Chief Development Officer

Definition

Under the direction of the Mayor, a Chief Development Officer is a public service professional responsible for empowering local communities by identifying their social, economic, and physical needs and implementing projects to address them.

Acting as a liaison between residents, government agencies, and non‑profits, the Chief Development Officer facilitates collective action to improve the overall quality of life and promote social inclusion.

The Chief Development Officer serves as one of the administrative heads of the City, independently oversees the City’s planning, building, and engineering functions, and coordinates development and redevelopment initiatives throughout the community. This role involves guiding urban planning efforts, evaluating housing and infrastructure needs, and advancing revitalization and redevelopment projects that support the City’s long‑term growth and economic vitality. The position also provides leadership and oversight for departmental staff and project managers, monitors the progress of development projects, and prepares updates and reports for the Mayor and City Council.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the Chief Development Officer collaborates with other municipal departments—including finance, legal, utilities, and public works—to ensure that infrastructure planning and development activities align with the City’s strategic priorities and state and federal laws and regulations.

(Performance of these functions is the reason the job exists. Assigned job tasks/duties are not limited to the essential functions.)

• Performs general management of the City by providing general policy direction, including review, update, and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure cross‑departmental consistency.
• Assists the Mayor in all his/her executive and administrative duties.
• Assists the Mayor and City Council in the development of overall goals of the City; provides leadership and direction in the development of short‑ and long‑range plans for achieving overall goals; works with the Mayor and City Council and others to develop community and economic development plans.
• Assists the Mayor and Treasurer with review and preparation of the City's budget for the Mayor's and Council's approval; monitors budget and informs the Mayor of significant changes, impacts, or issues; recommends alternatives to resolve budgetary issues.
• Manages and directs assigned departments through effective planning, staff management, resource allocation and sound fiscal practices.
• Creates a citywide culture of customer service, accountability, and integrity.
• Evaluates the performance of various programs and personnel; coordinates and participates in activities of the City management team, assists in the selection and performance evaluation of Directors by the Mayor, and makes recommendations to the Mayor regarding resolving management performance issues.
• Drafts documents, correspondence, ordinances, proclamations, etc., as required to carry out the business of the City and conducts research projects of a complex nature.
• Represents the Mayor and the City at meetings and is in contact with citizens, city officials, community leaders, and other agency representatives. Attends Council meetings; makes oral and written presentations to the City Council. Attends meetings of the City Council, commissions, and boards.
• Confers with City Attorney to assure that City laws and ordinances are carried out; assures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Analyzes proposed legislation and administrative regulations for their impact on City operations and future development.
• Engages with residents, businesses, City Council, commissions, public agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders to gather input to assess community development needs.
• Develops and maintains community partnerships and networks. Identifies strategies to ensure community engagement and involvement. Analyzes community feedback to inform plan development.
• Works with the Mayor and City Council and others to develop community…