Deputy Director Of Cdra

City of South Fulton•South Fulton, GA

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Community Development and Regulatory Affairs serves as a senior executive leader responsible for providing strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the City's development review, regulatory, and customer service functions. Reporting directly to the Director of Community Development and Regulatory Affairs, this position assists in directing the Department's day-to-day operations while advancing the City's vision for responsible growth, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and exceptional customer service. The Deputy Director oversees the City's development review process, including planning, zoning administration, permitting, plan review, inspections, business licensing, and development services. This position works collaboratively with City leadership, elected officials, developers, residents, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure development activities are efficient, transparent, compliant with applicable regulations, and aligned with the City's Comprehensive Plan and strategic priorities. The Deputy Director serves as a key member of the Department's executive leadership team and may act on behalf of the Director in his or her absence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, development services, permitting, inspections, code enforcement, building safety, or community development, including at least five (5) years in a supervisory or management capacity.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license.
Comprehensive knowledge of municipal planning, zoning administration, permitting, inspections, code enforcement, land development, business licensing, and regulatory compliance.
Thorough knowledge of municipal government operations and development review processes.
Strong knowledge of Georgia planning and zoning law, adopted building codes, and municipal regulations.
Knowledge of organizational management, budgeting, procurement, strategic planning, and performance measurement.
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced municipal environment.
Ability to establish priorities, delegate responsibilities, manage competing demands, and hold assigned personnel accountable.
Ability to analyze complex development, regulatory, operational, and policy issues and recommend effective solutions.
Ability to build productive working relationships with elected officials, community stakeholders, developers, residents, employees, and partner agencies.
Exceptional written and verbal communication, negotiation, presentation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience implementing performance management systems and operational improvements.
Ability to prepare and present executive reports, policy recommendations, budgets, and public presentations.
Ability to use enterprise permitting systems, performance dashboards, office software, and related departmental technologies.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and integrity when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
Commitment to outstanding customer service, ethical leadership, innovation, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.
International Code Council (ICC) certifications.
Georgia Certified Building Official certification.
Experience implementing Tyler Technologies Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EPL) or a comparable enterprise permitting platform.
Experience in a rapidly growing municipality with high-volume development activity.
Demonstrated success managing multidisciplinary Community Development departments, including Planning, Building, Permitting, Code Enforcement, Business Licensing, and Development Services.

Responsibilities

Assists the Director in providing executive leadership for the Department of Community Development and Regulatory Affairs.
Provides direct oversight of Development Services, Planning and Zoning, Building and Permitting, Inspections, Business Licensing, Code Enforcement, and related customer service operations.
Develops and implements departmental goals, policies, procedures, and performance measures that improve operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.
Leads organizational change initiatives focused on continuous improvement, innovation, technology implementation, and enhanced public service delivery.
Assists in developing and implementing the Department's strategic plan consistent with City Council priorities and the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Directs the City's development review process from project intake through permitting, inspections, and certificate issuance.
Oversees coordination of development applications includes rezonings, variances, special use permits, subdivisions, site plans, land disturbance permits, commercial and residential building permits, and business licenses.
Ensures consistent application of the City's, zoning ordinance, building codes, engineering standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.
Coordinates review activities among Planning, Engineering, Building, and external review agencies.
Oversees implementation and continuous improvement of the Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EPL) system and other departmental technologies to streamline operations and improve customer experience.
Provides executive oversight of departmental operations to ensure timely processing of development applications, permits, inspections, and regulatory approvals.
Establishes service-level expectations, performance metrics, and accountability measures for all operational divisions.
Identifies opportunities to streamline business processes through automation, technology, and workflow improvements.
Oversees implementation of customer-focused initiatives that improve transparency, communication, and responsiveness.
Directs and evaluates division managers, supervisors, planners, engineers, building officials, inspectors, code enforcement personnel, permit technicians, licensing specialists, and administrative staff.
Establishes performance expectations and conducts employee evaluations.
Provides coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and professional development opportunities.
Promotes a collaborative organizational culture focused on accountability, innovation, teamwork, and excellence in customer service.
Serve as a senior representative of the Department with developers, property owners, architects, engineers, contractors, business owners, neighborhood organizations, elected officials, and regulatory agencies.
Resolves complex development issues and customer concerns requiring executive-level attention.
Represents the Department before City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, neighborhood meetings, and professional organizations.
Develops educational programs, workshops, and outreach initiatives to improve public understanding of City development regulations and permitting processes.
Develops key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and reporting systems to monitor departmental effectiveness.
Prepare executive reports, policy recommendations, presentations, and operational updates for the Director, City Manager, Mayor, and City Council.
Utilizes performance data to improve operational efficiency and customer service.
Leads departmental initiatives involving digital transformation, Lean process improvement, and organizational modernization.
Assists in preparing and administering the Department's annual operating and capital budgets.
Monitors expenditures and recommends resource allocation strategies.
Oversees procurement activities, consultant contracts, professional service agreements, and technology investments.
Identifies opportunities to improve revenue collection, enhance operational efficiencies, and pursue grant funding.
Ensures departmental compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, City ordinances, adopted building codes, environmental regulations, and administrative policies.
Maintains current knowledge of legislation affecting municipal planning, development, permitting, inspections, zoning, and regulatory affairs.
Recommends ordinance amendments and policy changes to improve development review processes.