Director of Land Use and Economic Development

Performs highly responsible professional, technical, administrative, and managerial work directing the Town's land use, planning, zoning, conservation, building, and economic development functions. Serves as the Town's chief land use and economic development official, providing strategic leadership on growth management, community development, redevelopment initiatives, long-range planning, zoning administration, and implementation of the Town's Master Plan. Advises Town officials, boards, businesses, residents, and developers on planning and development matters while leading initiatives that promote sustainable economic growth, efficient municipal operations, and preservation of the Town's character.

Serves as the principal professional advisor to the Planning Board and other land use and economic development boards and committees, including the Zoning Board of Appeals and Economic Development Committee. Also serves as liaison to Design Review Board, Cultural Council, Housing Authority, Historic District Commission, and Historical Commission. Provides technical expertise, policy recommendations, administrative support, prepares reports and recommendations, coordinates public hearings, and ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Regularly attends relevant board and committee meetings.

Oversees the Town's comprehensive development review process, including subdivisions, site plans, special permits, zoning compliance, and related permitting activities. Coordinates interdepartmental review, evaluates applications for compliance with local bylaws and Massachusetts General Laws, prepares recommendations, drafts Planning Board decisions, and ensures plans are reviewed and approved in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Provides leadership for the Town's economic development strategy by fostering business retention, expansion, redevelopment, and investment opportunities. Serves as the Town's primary liaison with local businesses, commercial property owners, developers, chambers of commerce, regional planning agencies, and state economic development organizations. Identifies funding opportunities, prepares grant applications, administers awarded grants, and develops initiatives that promote commercial vitality, tax base growth, housing opportunities, and sustainable community development.

Provides professional planning expertise and technical guidance to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Town Manager, Select Board, Town departments, and other municipal boards and committees. Prepares reports, presentations, recommendations, and policy analyses on land use, zoning, housing, transportation, redevelopment, conservation, and economic development matters.

Leads implementation of the Town's Master Plan and other long-range planning initiatives. Recommends amendments to zoning bylaws, subdivision regulations, design guidelines, and other land use regulations. Conducts planning studies, demographic analyses, community engagement sessions and workshops, and policy research to support strategic decision-making and community development initiatives.

Represents the Town before regional, state, and federal agencies; negotiates with developers, consultants, property owners, and other stakeholders; and manages complex redevelopment, infrastructure, housing, and economic development projects from conception through implementation.

Directs the overall operations of the Town's land use and economic development functions, including the Planning, Conservation, and Building/Inspection Departments. Provides strategic leadership, organizational planning, budget administration, personnel management, policy development, procurement, and performance management. Establishes departmental priorities, supervises department heads and staff, oversees consultant contracts, develops and monitors departmental goals and performance measures, and promotes effective coordination among departments to ensure consistent, efficient, and customer‑focused delivery of services.

Serves as a member of the Town's executive Operations Team, collaborating with senior municipal leadership to coordinate organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, capital planning, emergency preparedness, and operational issues affecting the Town.

Performs similar or related work as required, directed, or as situation dictates. Regular attendance at the workplace is required.

Bachelor’s degree in urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Community Development, Economic Development, or a closely related field required;
Master's degree preferred. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred. Seven to ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning, land use, zoning, conservation, building regulation, or economic development, including supervisory experience, preferably in municipal government; or any equivalent combination of education and…