Director of Planning Services (FT - Hybrid)

CSG Consultants - Private Link•Foster City, CA

2d•$191,000 - $245,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Planning Services leads Planning Services operations within an assigned region, overseeing staff leadership, resource planning, financial performance, service quality, project delivery, client relationships, and business development. Reporting to the Vice President of Planning Services, the Director manages planners and project managers delivering development services, staff augmentation, and planning assignments for public-sector clients. The role combines regional leadership with direct billable client work, particularly assignments that benefit from senior-level expertise. The Director translates department objectives into regional operating plans, coordinates resources across regions, and models ethical, professional, service-oriented leadership consistent with the company’s Code of Ethics and Values. The position carries responsibilities and accountability comparable to CSG’s other regional Directors of Planning. Work may take place at city hall, a CSG office, a home office, or other locations needed to meet client and business requirements. The position includes reviewing detailed documents, extended periods of sitting, and occasional travel or driving to inspection sites, client locations, and other work sites. The work may involve multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment with firm deadlines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related field.
15 years of relevant project management, development services, or city service experience, including at least 5 years in a managerial or supervisory role.
Demonstrated leadership, project management, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to motivate staff, manage competing priorities, work under pressure, and meet firm deadlines.
Proactive participation in business development and demonstrated ability to build client relationships and support growth of the company’s client base.
Valid Class C California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record; business-related driving may be required.
Advanced knowledge of planning and zoning administration, applicable legal requirements, and the principles and practices needed to direct and evaluate a planning division.
Knowledge of environmental protection requirements, including CEQA, NEPA, the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Endangered Species Act; state and local land use requirements, including the Williamson Act and historic preservation programs.
Knowledge of planning and development design, including architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, site design, traffic engineering, land use compatibility, and economic development; ability to coordinate with reviewing agencies and departments.
Knowledge of governmental operations, public administration, organization, management analysis, supervision, budgeting, personnel management, and effective customer service.
Ability to prepare and interpret budgets, staffing plans, utilization reports, resource forecasts, and financial and operational performance information.
Ability to review project descriptions, plans, and field conditions; interpret zoning ordinances and policy documents; and administer planning policies, ordinances, and permit processes.
Ability to organize and supervise planning studies, manage post-entitlement work and the construction process, and develop practical solutions to complex problems.
Advanced research, analytical, report writing, and presentation skills; ability to apply statistics and mathematics to planning and property development and assess implications for a community’s physical, economic, and social characteristics.
Ability to prepare and present complex staff reports, planning studies, policies, and ordinances; analyze studies, field observations, and public input; and facilitate large meetings and community workshops.
Ability to maintain knowledge of laws, trends, and statistics affecting governmental planning and apply sound professional judgment to complex assignments.
Proficiency with relevant computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, internet research, geographic information systems, Bluebeam, permit management systems such as Accela, and econometric or transportation modeling tools as applicable.
Ability to build respectful and effective relationships with the public, agencies, clients, and staff; work tactfully in complex environments with diverse populations; and represent Planning Services professionally.
Ability to adapt to varying work environments, manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment, and meet firm deadlines.
Ability to review detailed, finely printed and electronic documents and sit for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree.
Experience working with public-sector clients.
Comprehensive experience preparing and reviewing land use entitlement applications for a California public agency.
A related professional license, registration, or certification, such as American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day regional planning operations and implement operating plans aligned with client needs and Planning Services objectives.
Prepare and manage regional operating and project budgets with the Vice President of Planning Services; monitor revenue, labor costs, utilization, project profitability, and budget variances, and implement corrective actions.
Maintain workload, backlog, and resource forecasts that account for contracted work, anticipated assignments, business development opportunities, and staff availability.
Review operating results and performance measures; report progress, risks, and recommended improvements to the Vice President of Planning Services; coordinate billing information and resolution of project financial issues with project managers and finance staff.
Plan staffing levels and skill needs; lead recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and staff development in coordination with the Vice President of Planning Services and Human Resources.
Assign staff to projects and client placements, balance workloads, and monitor billable utilization against established targets while supporting quality, deadlines, and sustainable workloads.
Coordinate shared resources with other regional Directors and service leaders; identify staffing gaps and recommend hiring, reassignment, or other resource solutions.
Coach and mentor planners and project managers, establish expectations, address performance and sensitive personnel matters, and maintain a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Oversee staff augmentation, development services, and project management assignments to achieve agreed scopes, schedules, budgets, and client expectations.
Establish and enforce quality assurance and quality control procedures, including technical review of planning analyses, entitlement applications, staff reports, environmental documents, and other deliverables before release.
Perform billable client work, primarily senior-level project management, technical oversight, and QA/QC on complex or sensitive assignments; balance client work with regional leadership and oversight of land use entitlement applications for California public agencies.
Monitor project milestones, contract requirements, scope changes, and delivery risks; resolve issues promptly and elevate significant concerns to the Vice President of Planning Services.
Evaluate regional service delivery and work practices, apply lessons learned, and recommend improvements to consistency, efficiency, and client service.
Serve as a senior regional client contact, build long-term relationships, assess client needs, and develop practical service solutions.
Lead regional business development and marketing activities with the Vice President of Planning Services and business development staff; identify opportunities, develop pursuit strategies, and support proposals, scopes, fees, interviews, and contract discussions within delegated authority.
Expand existing client relationships and build the company’s client base through responsive service, professional engagement, and coordination with other CSG service areas.
Represent CSG before municipal executives, decision-making bodies, agencies, community groups, and professional organizations; address sensitive client issues with sound judgment and discretion.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Company-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and family coverage.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), depending on the selected health insurance plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts and transit/parking benefits.
Group and voluntary life insurance.
Long-term disability insurance.
Employee Stock Ownership program.
401(k) program with a company match.
15 days paid time off (PTO) and 12 paid company holidays.
California Paid Sick Leave for part-time/as-needed employees.
Employee Assistance program.
Fitness Reimbursement program.
Professional Development program.