Senior Director of Planning, Engagement, and Innovation

Overview

The Senior Director of Planning, Engagement, and Innovation is a senior executive responsible for advancing the Omaha Inland Port Authority’s long-range master planning framework, catalytic development strategy, and regional partnership ecosystem.

This role integrates OIPA’s Master Plan implementation, Innovation District execution, Airport Business Park strategy, and multimodal infrastructure priorities into a unified and financeable development platform.

This role ensures OIPA’s Master Plan is executable, the Innovation District is investable, and partnerships are institutionalized to support long-term economic growth.

• Lead implementation of OIPA’s comprehensive master plan.
• Coordinate land use, infrastructure sequencing, and capital alignment.
• Oversee planning consultants and technical teams.
• Advance development strategy for the Innovation District.
• Structure public-private partnerships and capital stack strategies.
• Align workforce, entrepreneurship, and industry clustering initiatives.

• Serve as liaison to city, state, federal, and private partners.
• Ensure community-informed planning and transparent execution.
• Advise Executive Director and Board of Commissioners.
• Develop performance dashboards and implementation benchmarks.
• Support funding, grant, and policy strategy alignment.

• Master’s degree preferred in Planning, Public Administration, or related field.
• 6+ years senior leadership experience in planning, infrastructure, or economic development.
• Demonstrated success in large-scale master plan implementation.