Planning Manager

Planning Manager

Location:

Town of Vail, Colorado

Department:
Community Development

Type:
Full-Time, Exempt (Salaried)

Grade: 55

Salary Range: $113,506 - $170,259 annually (midpoint $)

The Town of Vail is seeking an experienced planning professional and proven leader to serve as our next Planning Manager
. This is a unique opportunity to help shape one of the nation's premier mountain communities while leading a talented team of planners responsible for current planning, long‑range planning, development review, policy development, and community‑focused initiatives.

As the Planning Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and day‑to‑day management of the Town's Planning Division within the Community Development Department. Reporting directly to the Director of Community Development, this position oversees a team of professional planners and plays a key role in guiding development, land use policy, urban design, and community planning efforts throughout the Town of Vail.

This position serves as a trusted advisor to applicants, property owners, architects, developers, elected officials, and appointed boards, helping navigate complex planning and development issues while preserving the qualities that make Vail a world‑class mountain resort community.

• Leading and developing the Town's Planning Team, including supervision, coaching, performance management, hiring, and professional development.
• Managing complex development applications, land use reviews, code amendments, rezoning requests, special development districts, variances, and conditional use permits.
• Directing long‑range planning initiatives, special studies, and projects with significant community impact.
• Serving as a liaison to the Planning and Environmental Commission, Design Review Board, Town Council, and other stakeholders.
• Providing expert guidance on land use policy, urban design, architecture, zoning, and community development issues.
• Assisting with departmental budgeting, strategic planning, operational improvements, and policy development.
• Collaborating with applicants, residents, businesses, consultants, and regional partners to achieve community goals.

This position supervises approximately 3–4 direct reports and regularly participates in evening public meetings and community engagement activities.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader, skilled communicator, and strategic thinker who can balance community values, development interests, and long‑term planning objectives.

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Land Use Planning, City Planning, Urban Design, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of professional planning experience, preferably within a municipal government environment.
• Strong knowledge of urban planning principles, current and long‑range planning practices, public administration, and land use regulations.
• Experience managing complex development review processes and planning projects.
• Ability to interpret architectural plans, site plans, surveys, development applications, and technical documents.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and public presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with elected officials, appointed boards, staff, applicants, and community members.
• Working knowledge of Colorado land use law.

• Master's degree in Planning, Urban Design, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
• Five or more years of supervisory or management experience.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.
• Experience working within a design‑focused community or resort municipality.

• Strong leadership and team‑building abilities.
• Political acumen and sound professional judgment.
• Ability to navigate complex and sometimes competing interests.
• Passion for community development, design excellence, and public service.
• Commitment to customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to communicate complex planning concepts in ways that are accessible and understandable to diverse audiences.

Interested candidates must submit:

• A…