Deputy Director of Development Services - Planning

Job Description Summary

This position is responsible for assisting the Development Services Director in planning, supervising, organizing, and managing the activities of the Development Services Department, including the major functions of development related to planning, engineering, plan review and permitting, building, inspections, community development, and code enforcement. This position operates with considerable independence, applying specialized subject matter expertise and decision making in accomplishing organizational and departmental goals and objectives that have long-term, organization wide application and impact. Additionally, this position oversees the activities of the entire development review process to ensure an efficient and customer service-oriented process as well as oversees, plans, directs, and manages the department activities of the Planning, Operational Excellence and Code Compliance divisions.

Essential Functions

• Partners with the Development Services Director and department leadership team to shape and execute department-wide strategy, aligning Planning, Operational Excellence, and Code Compliance priorities with organizational goals, growth demands, and community outcomes.
• Provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Planning, Operational Excellence and Code Compliance divisions through division managers, setting direction, performance expectations, and resource alignment while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Serves as Zoning Administrator, interpreting and administering the Zoning Ordinance; ensuring consistent, legally sound application of regulations; and advising leadership, decision-makers, and staff on zoning determinations and policy implications.
• Led the strategic direction and performance of the development review process, ensuring coordinated, predictable, and high-quality service delivery; resolving complex or sensitive issues; and negotiating key development outcomes in alignment with City standards and long-term plans.
• Engages directly with customers, developers, and key stakeholders on complex development projects and issues, providing executive-level problem solving, facilitating cross-functional coordination, and strengthening relationships to support successful project outcomes.
• Advances department operational excellence and strategic plan priorities, including being accountable for leveraging system performance data to inform continuous improvement strategy maturity.

Requirements

• Formal Education/Knowledge: Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience: Seven years of responsible experience in planning, organizing and directing a development team or related operation.
• Certifications and Other Requirements: Valid Driver’s License

12 Month Objectives

• 3 Months - Build strong leadership relationships with the Planning, Operational Excellence, and Code Compliance managers, clarifying expectations for performance, communication, and accountability.
• Become familiar with the City’s and DSD’s strategic plans, and understand how they shape division-level priorities, policy direction, and future budget planning.
• Integrate into the Development Services leadership team and begin contributing to departmentwide strategic discussions and decision-making.
• Begin oversight of the Code Manager’s work on the Quality Neighborhoods strategic initiative, ensuring clarity of goals and alignment with the city’s priorities.
• Assess how the new Operational Excellence division and new Code Compliance staff are integrating into department operations and the city’s culture.
• Develop a working understanding of the Shingo framework and how DSD is applying systems design principles to improve organizational performance.

Benefits

• Vacation Leave: 14 days per year, increasing with longevity. Goodyear offers an enhanced vacation benefit of recognizing total years of service under all Arizona public retirement systems for accruing vacation.
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year, including one floating holiday the first full pay period of January
• Flexible Holiday: 24 hours per calendar year (prorated based on hire date)
• Health Insurance: Three health plans available to select from at a group rate
• Dental Insurance: Two dental plans available to select from at a group rate
• Vision Insurance: Available at a group rate
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Health Care and Dependent Care accounts available
• Short Term Disability Insurance: City-paid coverage
• Cancer Benefit: City-paid coverage
• Life Insurance: City-paid insurance valued at twice the annual salary ($400,000 maximum); additional life insurance for self and/or dependent is available at employee's cost
• Longevity pay beginning at year six
• Tuition Assistance: $5,250 per calendar year
• Employee Assistance Program
• Onsite wellness center/clinic
• Access to the Goodyear Recreation Center
• Robust employee well-being program
• Free identity theft monitoring and protection with Aura
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan: 2% city match (employee contributes 1%)
• Retirement Health Savings: $22.50 city contribution (employee contributes $12.50 per pay period)
• Retirement: Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined Benefit plan with mandatory city and employee contributions currently at 12.00%. Plan includes Long Term Disability Benefit.