Community Development Planning Administrator

Position Summary

The Housing and Community Development Planning Administrator at the City of Tucson’s Housing and Community Development Department is responsible for community strategic and long-term plans, homeless response system planning and the HUD Continuum of Care, community engagement and media/stakeholder relations, Thrive Zones, and special initiatives implemented by HCD. The Planning Division provides broad support to other HCD operational divisions in the preparation and ongoing progress measurement of federal, state, and local plans required by grantmaking bodies, Mayor and Council, and the community.

Work is performed under the supervision of the department director. This position exercises supervision over division staff.

• Leads strategic planning, policy development, and interdepartmental coordination for the Housing and Community Development (HCD) department, including major initiatives such as the Housing Affordability Strategy, People, Communities and Homes Investment Plan (P-CHIP), Continuum of Care, Choice Neighborhoods, and the Prosperity Initiative.
• Provides expert consultation and support to HCD divisions and the Director’s Office on housing availability, affordability, sustainability, and community development policies.
• Oversees participation in citywide planning efforts like Plan Tucson and supports the Commission on Equitable Housing and Development.
• Oversees the creation, implementation, and evaluation of planning tools, reports, and publications including master plans, measurement frameworks, the HCD Annual Report, and community-wide homelessness reports.
• Ensures planning staff are trained in best practices and tools such as GIS and project management frameworks and directs strategic benchmarking and reporting activities to track progress and inform decision-making across HCD initiatives.
• Leads inclusive community outreach and engagement strategies focused on historically disenfranchised groups and neighborhoods, ensuring culturally and linguistically appropriate practices are embedded across departmental initiatives.
• Provides guidance to project staff collaborating with the Continuum of Care (CoC) Board, committees, subcommittees, and coalitions to strengthen community partnerships and representation.
• Oversees the development and execution of mass communication and public awareness efforts, including social media, newsletters, websites, and coordinated campaigns with local, state, and federal partners.
• Directs media relations in collaboration with the City of Tucson Public Information Officer to amplify outreach and visibility.
• Leads the planning, implementation, and oversight of place-based community improvement initiatives, including the Thrive Zones and Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant program (Thrive in the 05), in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Ensures meaningful community participation throughout all phases of planning and execution to promote equitable development and neighborhood revitalization.
• Manages funding, performance, and reporting for place-based initiatives, including the development of grant proposals, administration of federal and state awards, budget oversight, and tracking of project deliverables.
• Documents and evaluates the effectiveness and sustainability of activities to inform future investments and strategic direction.
• Manages all aspects of Planning Division staffing and supervision, including direct oversight of managers, staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Serves as hiring manager, conducts interviews and testing, assigns work, and ensures alignment with City policies and legal requirements.
• Provides ongoing coaching, performance evaluations, and professional development to promote staff…