Planning & Community Development Director

Overview

The Director of Planning and Community Development serves as the senior executive responsible for the strategic direction, regulatory administration, and organizational leadership of the County’s land use planning, development services, and community development functions. This position carries full accountability for long-range and comprehensive planning, zoning and subdivision administration, and the orderly management of growth across the County’s geographically and economically diverse landscape.

The Director provides executive oversight of all planning and development service operations, ensuring that growth management, regulatory compliance, and community development efforts are aligned with the County’s adopted plans, fiscal objectives, and the expectations of the Board of County Commissioners. The position requires a forward-looking leader with demonstrated experience guiding planning and development organizations through periods of sustained, high-volume growth while protecting community character, natural resources, and long-term resilience.

The Director exercises broad independent judgment and works in close coordination with the County Manager’s Office, the Board of County Commissioners, appointed boards and commissions, municipal partners, and state and federal agencies.

This position is distinguished from operational and supervisory planning roles by its emphasis on enterprise-level strategic planning, policy development, and external representation. While departmental staff are responsible for day-to-day case review, inspections, and enforcement, the Director is responsible for establishing organizational direction, shaping development policy, and building the capacity necessary to keep pace with one of the fastest-growing regions in North Carolina.

• Leading planning and development service organizations through periods of significant population and development growth;
• Developing and executing comprehensive plans, land use plans, and growth management strategies;
• Administering complex zoning, subdivision, permitting, and code enforcement programs in environments that balance rapid development with rural and coastal preservation; and
• Building and strengthening organizational capacity through staff development, process improvement, and the modernization of development review systems.

• Directs the development, adoption, and implementation of the County’s comprehensive plan, land use plans, small-area and corridor plans, and growth management strategies.
• Evaluates development trends, population growth, and service area conditions to anticipate future land use, infrastructure, and community development needs, locally and regionally.
• Advises the County Manager and Board of County Commissioners on planning policy, development regulations, and growth-related investment decisions.
• Leads the periodic review and revision of zoning, subdivision, and other development ordinances to reflect current law, best practices, and community priorities.
• Coordinates with developers, engineers, consultants, and regional planning entities on land use, infrastructure, and intergovernmental service matters.

• Directs and oversees zoning administration, subdivision review, and development permitting to ensure timely, consistent, and legally defensible application of County regulations.
• Establishes service standards and performance metrics for development review and permitting, continually analyzing processes for opportunities to improve efficiency, predictability, and responsiveness to applicants.
• Determines and ensures project compliance with adopted development regulations, long-range plans, and applicable state law.

• Directs the County’s floodplain management programs, ensuring compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program and Coastal Area Management Act requirements.
• Supports the County’s hazard mitigation planning and programs.
• Integrates resilience, flood-risk reduction,…