Planning Director

Traverse City, Michigan offers an exceptional opportunity for a leader who embodies a mindset of possibilities, seeking both professional impact and quality of life. Situated along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan, Traverse City is a four-season destination community and serves as the regional hub of Northern Michigan while maintaining a strong identity. The City has a year-round population of nearly 16,000, with daytime population more than doubling, and significant seasonal population fluctuations that create a dynamic and complex municipal service environment as a highly sought destination community.

Quality of Life Highlights

• Four-season outdoor recreation
• Vibrant downtown and waterfront
• Renowned food scene with nationally recognized restaurants, wineries, breweries, and year-round markets
• Strong schools, healthcare, and community services
• Engaged and supportive community

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a values-driven, collaborative leader dedicated to community stewardship, transparent communication, and responsive public service. The next Planning Director will be a skilled manager and communicator capable of allocating municipal resources effectively, establishing strategic priorities that promote sustainable growth, and maintaining executive support through authentic engagement.

• Emotional Intelligence & Professional Poise: Navigates high-profile or sensitive political situations with diplomacy, tact, strict confidentiality, sound judgment, and calm professionalism under public pressure.
• Strategic Collaboration & Alignment: Partners closely with executive leadership to execute Strategic Action Plan Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).
• Feedback-Oriented Leadership: Cultivates an inclusive environment that values input from residents, staff, and municipal boards while encouraging open idea-sharing.
• Public Engagement & Executive Communication: Acts as a primary spokesperson, convenes citizen and neighborhood forums, facilitates public meetings, and conveys complex planning concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Master Planning

• Vision & Policy: Updates the Master Plan and develops short-/long-range land use studies.
• Ordinance & Governance: Modernizes zoning, sign codes, and development frameworks; establishes departmental goals, SOPs, and internal controls.

Operational Management & Interdepartmental Support

• Department Administration: Directs all operations, staff recruitment, evaluations, professional development, and budget administration.
• Multimodal Infrastructure: Partners with City departments to align complete streets and transit projects with the Mobility Action Plan.
• Federal Grants & CDBG: Oversees CDBG entitlement compliance and housing initiatives, delegating daily operations to the Deputy Planning Director.

Public Engagement & Board Representation

• Board Liaison: Serves as official representative to the City Commission, Planning Commission, and advisory committees.
• Community Relations: Facilitates public/developer engagement, oversees site plan reviews, and collaborates with regional entities.

Sustainability & Growth

• Climate Initiatives: Supports implementation of the Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) and promotes resilience strategies.
• Funding Procurement: Directs grant applications for transportation, capital projects, and community development.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Public Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Planning: 5+ years of progressive planning experience (master planning, placemaking, ordinance drafting, zoning).
• Leadership & Grants: 3+ years supervisory and budget management experience preferred; proven HUD CDBG/grant administration background.
• Certification: AICP certification required (CNU-A, LEED AP, or CEcD preferred).
• Schedule & Residency: Must reside within 30 miles of city limits within 12 months; available for mandatory evening meetings and occasional weekend events.

Application Deadline: Open until filled. Applications reviewed upon receipt.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Defined benefit pension plan, 457(b) match options, and generous paid time off.
• Relocation assistance and potential temporary housing stipend available for qualified candidates.
• Flexible workplace culture with hybrid and flex-time options.

Pay

$99,688 - $131,271

Potential relocation assistance.