Director of Planning & Development Services
About The Position
Wake County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, is seeking its next Director of Planning and Development Services. The County welcomes approximately 25,000 new residents every year, and the moment calls for a leader who can shape the County’s growth with clarity, consistency, and vision. The Director of Planning and Development Services steps into a rare opportunity: to serve as the founding director of a newly established department, build its culture, and guide Wake County's approach to land use, permitting, and environmental stewardship at a pivotal point in its history. For the leader who thrives at the intersection of complex regulatory work, community engagement, and organizational development, this is an extremely compelling opportunity. The Director leads a department of approximately 100 staff organized across four divisions: Administration, Planning, Building Permits and Inspections, and Watershed Management. The department serves as Wake County's primary authority for administering land development regulations, guided by the County's Unified Development Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, Stormwater Regulations, and the North Carolina Building Code. Wake County does not exercise zoning authority over municipal jurisdictions, which shapes how the Director engages with the development community and neighboring governments: less as a traditional regulatory enforcer and more as a convener, a resource, and a partner in responsible growth. The Director has four direct reports (division-level leaders) and is a member of the County's Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the County Manager. The Director shapes department strategy, develops and executes the annual business plan, oversees budget planning and fiscal accountability, and monitors state and federal legislation for regulatory impacts. The Director also represents the department in public forums, before the Board of County Commissioners, and in ongoing relationships with municipalities, regional transportation and environmental agencies, homebuilders, and other development stakeholders. Success in this role requires someone who can translate technical complexity into accessible language, who applies rules fairly and consistently across all customers, and who is equally comfortable defending a difficult decision before the development community as they are mentoring a new division manager. The incoming leader inherits strong foundations: well-regarded regulatory workflows, high-quality staff with deep expertise, and established relationships with the homebuilding community and partner jurisdictions.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, environmental science, civil engineering, architecture, or a closely related field
- At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in planning, land development, permitting, or a related regulatory function
- A minimum of four years in a senior leadership or management role overseeing professional staff
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in planning, public administration, or a related discipline
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification
- Significant demonstrated leadership experience
- Strong track record in complex land use or regulatory environments
- Prior experience in a county or regional government setting
- Experience in jurisdictions that manage growth pressures, intergovernmental coordination, or environmental regulatory programs
- Familiarity with North Carolina land development law, building codes, and stormwater regulations
Responsibilities
- Shape department strategy
- Develop and execute the annual business plan
- Oversee budget planning and fiscal accountability
- Monitor state and federal legislation for regulatory impacts
- Represent the department in public forums, before the Board of County Commissioners, and in ongoing relationships with municipalities, regional transportation and environmental agencies, homebuilders, and other development stakeholders
- Translate technical complexity into accessible language
- Apply rules fairly and consistently across all customers
- Defend difficult decisions before the development community
- Mentor a new division manager
Benefits
- Comprehensive total compensation package
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
