Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Director of Urban Development

🎯 Role Definition

The Director of Urban Development is a senior leadership position responsible for shaping and implementing a comprehensive urban development agenda that advances land use planning, affordable housing, commercial and economic development, transportation integration, sustainability, and public infrastructure. Reporting to executive leadership (e.g., City Manager, Chief Development Officer, or Director of Planning), this role combines strategic policy development, capital program oversight, regulatory and zoning management, community engagement, and cross-agency collaboration. The Director serves as the primary liaison with elected officials, developers, nonprofit partners, state and federal agencies, and neighborhood stakeholders to deliver measurable urban outcomes that align with the municipality’s comprehensive plan and economic goals.

Key SEO keywords: Director of Urban Development, urban planning, land use, zoning, affordable housing, economic development, capital improvement program, GIS, community engagement, public-private partnerships, transportation planning, sustainability, resilience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Planner / Principal Planner with portfolio responsibility
Deputy Director of Planning or Neighborhood Services
Director of Housing, Economic Development, or Public Works

Advancement To:

Chief Development Officer / Chief Planning Officer
Deputy City Manager / Assistant City Manager with development portfolio
Executive Director, Regional Planning Commission or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Lateral Moves:

Director of Housing and Community Development
Director of Economic Development or Real Estate
Director of Capital Projects or Public Works

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive urban development strategy aligned with the city’s comprehensive plan, fiscal objectives, and sustainability/resilience goals; set measurable KPIs and report progress to executive leadership and elected officials.
Oversee land use, zoning, and development review processes to ensure timely, predictable, and code-compliant approvals while balancing community priorities and economic development objectives.
Manage and prioritize the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and major infrastructure investments, including multi-year budgeting, project scheduling, contractor selection oversight, risk mitigation, and performance reporting.
Direct the planning, development, and implementation of affordable and workforce housing strategies, including incentive programs, land-banking, developer negotiations, and coordination with housing authorities and non-profit partners.
Lead economic development initiatives that attract and retain businesses, stimulate job creation, and support small business growth through targeted incentive programs, site readiness, and workforce-development partnerships.
Administer grants and alternative funding strategies (state, federal, philanthropic, and private) including opportunity zone investments, brownfield remediation grants, and HUD/state funding to maximize capital and operating resources.
Build and sustain strong relationships with elected officials, interdepartmental leadership, regional agencies, utility providers, and community-based organizations to advance coordinated policy and project outcomes.
Serve as the primary public-facing leader for major development projects and policy initiatives, delivering presentations to councils, boards, commissions, and community assemblies, and responding to stakeholder inquiries and media.
Develop, implement, and update zoning ordinances, design standards, and policy frameworks (e.g., form-based codes, TOD ordinances, inclusionary housing policies) to advance smart growth and equitable development objectives.
Direct environmental and resilience planning workstreams, ensuring compliance with environmental review processes (NEPA/CEQA where applicable), climate adaptation planning, green infrastructure deployment, and stormwater management integration.
Oversee transportation and mobility planning coordination to ensure new development supports multimodal access, complete streets, transit-oriented development, and regional mobility goals.
Lead a multidisciplinary team of planners, project managers, economic development specialists, GIS analysts, and administrative staff; recruit, mentor, set performance objectives, and manage personnel budgets and professional development.
Negotiate development agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), public-private partnership (P3) contracts, and land disposition agreements to secure public benefits, infrastructure commitments, and community amenities.
Establish and maintain performance dashboards and data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging GIS, demographic and economic analysis, and development permit metrics to inform strategy and resource allocation.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to land use, building codes, fair housing, environmental protection, procurement, and public contracting.
Coordinate land acquisition, disposition, and property management activities including land assembly for catalytic redevelopment, surplus property sales, and long-term lease agreements to drive priority projects.
Create and lead comprehensive community engagement strategies—workshops, charrettes, advisory committees, and targeted outreach—to integrate resident input and equity considerations into planning and project delivery.
Set and manage operating and capital budgets for the urban development division, develop revenue forecasts, and implement cost-control measures to ensure fiscal sustainability.
Provide expert policy advice to the Mayor/Council and senior leadership on urban development trends, regulatory changes, and strategic investment opportunities, including preparation of briefing memos and policy options.
Monitor market trends, demographic shifts, and economic indicators to proactively recommend zoning updates, incentive structures, and strategic land use shifts that support competitiveness and inclusion.
Lead procurement strategy for major development-related contracts, including RFP development, evaluation criteria, and contract negotiations to ensure value, accountability, and timely delivery.
Champion equity and anti-displacement strategies, coordinating mitigation measures, tenant protections, and targeted investments in historically underinvested neighborhoods.
Represent the jurisdiction in intergovernmental and regional planning forums, MPO boards, and collaborative initiatives to align local projects with regional transportation, housing, and economic strategies.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis related to development metrics, housing supply, vacancy rates, and capital project performance to inform policy decisions and grant applications.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by specifying urban metrics, GIS data layers, and data-sharing agreements that enable cross-departmental insight and transparency.
Collaborate with internal units (finance, public works, housing, legal, transportation) to translate policy goals and community priorities into implementable project scopes and procurement specifications.
Participate in executive planning sessions, strategic retreats, and interdepartmental working groups to ensure alignment of development initiatives with broader municipal goals and budget cycles.
Support the preparation of grant proposals, funding applications, and narrative reports for state and federal programs that advance housing, infrastructure, resilience, and economic development objectives.
Advise on technology and data investments (GIS platforms, permit tracking, community engagement portals) that improve service delivery, reduce approval timelines, and increase transparency.
Provide subject-matter expertise during emergency response and recovery planning where development, permitting, and infrastructure restoration intersect with public safety and resiliency needs.
Serve as an escalation point for complex community concerns, land use disputes, and development-related litigation coordination with the city attorney’s office.
Represent the city at conferences, panels, and knowledge-sharing venues to promote best practices, secure partnerships, and attract private-sector investment opportunities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Comprehensive knowledge of urban planning principles, land use law, zoning ordinances, and development review processes with experience drafting or revising municipal code.
Proven experience managing Capital Improvement Programs (CIP), including multi-year budgeting, procurement oversight, schedule control, and contractor coordination.
Expertise in affordable housing policy and program design, including inclusionary zoning, housing trust funds, tax increment financing (TIF), and project-based subsidy structures.
Strong grant management and public financing skills—preparing applications, administering awards, compliance, and reporting for federal, state, and philanthropic funding streams.
Proficiency with GIS and spatial analysis tools (ArcGIS, QGIS) for site analysis, scenario modeling, and mapping urban metrics.
Data-driven decision-making capability: experience with demographic/economic analysis, development permit analytics, performance dashboards, and KPIs.
Experience negotiating development agreements, public-private partnership contracts, land disposition agreements, and complex real estate transactions.
Knowledge of environmental review processes and regulatory compliance (NEPA, CEQA, state equivalents), brownfield remediation, and permitting requirements.
Familiarity with transportation planning and mobility integration in land use: transit-oriented development (TOD), complete streets, and multimodal infrastructure coordination.
Contract and procurement management skills, including RFP development, vendor evaluation, selection, and contract performance monitoring.
Technical understanding of infrastructure systems (water, sewer, stormwater, utilities) as they relate to land development and site readiness.
Competence with modern planning and project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera, ArcGIS Online, permitting systems).
Financial acumen: long-term fiscal planning, revenue forecasts, pro forma analysis, and cost-benefit evaluation for public investments.
Familiarity with housing and community development federal programs (e.g., HUD, CDBG, HOME) and regulatory compliance.

Soft Skills

Strategic visionary leadership with the ability to translate long-range planning into actionable projects and measurable outcomes.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills tailored to diverse audiences including elected officials, community groups, developers, and media.
Political acumen and diplomacy; skilled at navigating council dynamics, stakeholder priorities, and intergovernmental relationships.
Strong coalition-building and partnership development skills to mobilize cross-sector resources and shared investments.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to resolve disputes, align competing interests, and secure public benefits.
Results-driven project management mindset with an emphasis on timelines, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Cultural competency and commitment to equity and inclusion in program design and community engagement.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking to interpret complex regulatory, financial, or technical challenges and propose practical solutions.
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities and external pressures.
Mentoring and team-building skills to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
Customer-service orientation focused on improving processes and reducing barriers for residents and developers.
Public speaking and presentation skills with experience leading public hearings, charrettes, and stakeholder convenings.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geography, Public Policy, or related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree (e.g., MUP, MURP, MLA, MPA, or similar) in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Real Estate Development, or a closely related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Urban/Regional Planning
Public Administration / Public Policy
Architecture / Urban Design
Civil Engineering / Transportation Planning
Real Estate Development / Economic Development
Geography / GIS

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 10–20 years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, development, economic development, or related public sector roles.

Preferred:

Minimum 8–12 years in leadership or senior management roles with direct responsibility for planning, development review, capital programs, or housing initiatives.
Demonstrated track record delivering large-scale development projects, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and overseeing multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience in municipal government, regional planning agencies, or large-scale private/public development organizations preferred.
Prior experience working with elected bodies, community engagement processes, and complex land use negotiations strongly preferred.