Principal Planning Director

Principal Planning Director

This position is responsible for planning, directing, managing, and overseeing municipal long-range planning activities and related programs that support the City's strategic goals and community vision. The position coordinates closely with multiple City departments to carry out implementation of the planning and policy documents.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Manages Planning Department staff and directs departmental operations to maintain efficient and effective implementation of planning initiatives and city priorities.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and periodic updating of the City's Comprehensive Plan, including public engagement, data analysis, goal setting, recommendations, and implementation strategies.
• Manages long-range planning initiatives and topic-specific planning efforts related to housing, transportation, open space, environmental sustainability, economic development, arts & culture, infrastructure, and neighborhood planning.
• Develops and administers land use regulations, zoning ordinances, and policy amendments to support adopted planning goals and community objectives.
• Certifies planning initiatives, planning documents, policies, and land use regulations are aligned with state, federal, and regional requirements.
• Provides professional planning support and project oversight for urban renewal and redevelopment initiatives to support urban development objectives in collaboration with municipal leadership and partner organizations.
• Provides advice and professional support relative to development project proposals and entitlements to related boards and commissions such as the Planning Board, zoning Board of Appeals, and the City Council.
• Leads grant research, grant writing, funding acquisition, and implementation activities supporting planning, infrastructure, transportation, housing, and community development projects.
• Oversees housing policy initiatives and administers implementation and ongoing evaluation of inclusionary housing programs, Lynn Affordable Housing Trust, affordable housing efforts, and related reporting requirements.
• Coordinates with municipal departments and external partners to establish priorities, advance projects, and support implementation of strategic planning objectives.
• Develops departmental work plans, establishes project priorities, and monitors progress toward organizational objectives.
• Oversees the preparation and administration of departmental budgets, consultant contracts, and procurement activities supporting planning initiatives.
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with business owners, managers, property owners, and local Chamber of Commerce to support business retention, attraction, and expansion within the city.
• Meets with developers, contractors, and members of the public to discuss planning, zoning, and development matters and interprets applicable ordinances and regulations.
• Able to serve as the City's lead on all efforts related to transportation and infrastructure planning.
• Performs other related job duties as required.

The employee works from policies and objectives, establishes short-range plans and objectives, develops performance standards, and assumes direct accountability for results of a major municipal department. The supervisor is consulted only if an exception to policy is required or requested. Control is exercised in the development of policies, goals, and budgets and is expected to resolve conflicts and other matters that arise.

As a regular and continuing part of the job, the employee is accountable for the direction and success of staff they manage; analyzes program objectives, determines the various work operations needed to achieve them. Responsible for creating budgets; recommending operational and staff resources; and allocating available funds and staff. Formulates and recommends program goals and develops plans for achieving short and long-range objectives, determines operating guidelines, work operations, and procedures.

Responsible for staff performance, evaluation, and discipline.

The work involves serving as a recognized authority in interpreting and applying guidelines such as executive, administrative, or organizational policies, general principles, regulations, legislation, and directives that pertain to specific functional areas. The employee develops procedures and processes to implement policies, guidelines, and requirements.

Serves as the functional area authority, contacts are with co-workers, the public, representatives of organizations, and groups and involve interactions with those who may have conflicting opinions or objectives, diverse points of view, or differences where achieving compromise is required to secure support,…