Director of Community Development

City of West Sacramento • West Sacramento, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of West Sacramento seeks a visionary and forward-thinking Director of Community Development who embraces growth, innovation, and public service excellence. This executive leader will champion a culture that is solutions-oriented, collaborative, and accountable while guiding one of the City's most dynamic departments through a period of continued growth and opportunity. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader who understands that community development is about more than regulations and processes—it is about shaping the future of a community. They will inspire staff, build strong partnerships, and foster a culture where employees are empowered to grow, innovate, and continuously improve. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong growth mindset, balancing thoughtful planning with a willingness to challenge conventional approaches and pursue new opportunities. They will be comfortable navigating complex issues, making difficult decisions, and standing firm in their professional convictions when necessary, while maintaining a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and exceptional customer service. This leader will align departmental priorities with the City's vision of responsible growth, economic vitality, housing opportunity, environmental stewardship, and organizational excellence. They will understand the importance of creating an environment where development can occur efficiently and predictably while preserving the community values that make West Sacramento a unique place to live, work, and invest. Most importantly, the next Director will be a trusted leader who develops people, builds high-performing teams, and demonstrates the courage, integrity, and resilience required to lead through change. The City of West Sacramento is seeking a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who is passionate about building strong teams and helping the community thrive. The ideal candidate will be: A strategic thinker who embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and responsible growth. A supportive leader who develops employees, builds trust, and fosters a positive, high-performing team culture. A confident decision-maker who is willing to make difficult decisions and stand by what is right, even when it is challenging. A strong communicator who can effectively work with elected officials, staff, residents, developers, and community partners. A problem-solver who balances excellent customer service with sound regulatory and planning principles. A leader who understands the importance of housing, economic development, sustainability, and community investment in shaping a vibrant and successful city. Committed to aligning departmental efforts with the City's vision, strategic priorities, and commitment to being a city of growth and opportunity. The successful candidate will combine integrity, courage, and emotional intelligence with a genuine commitment to public service, organizational excellence, and the long-term success of West Sacramento.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major in business, finance, urban planning, public administration or related field.
• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible professional and high-level management experience in planning, finance, redevelopment, housing or economic development, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, assigns and directs the activities, operations, projects, and programs of the Community Development Department, including, but not limited to Development Services, Code Enforcement, Planning, Environmental Services & Sustainability, and Building.
• Establishes, implements and evaluates departmental goals, priorities, procedures and policies.
• Provides staff assistance to the City Manager, Assistant City Manager - Community Services, City Council, commissions and committees.
• Represents the City and the Community Development Department to outside groups and organizations.
• Coordinates department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies.
• Directs the preparation, justification and administration of the department budget and work plan.
• Directs the selection, development, evaluation and discipline of department staff.
• Prepares or directs the preparation of reports, memoranda, correspondence, studies, research and special projects.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director