Planning Manager

City of Surprise • Surprise, AZ

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Planning Manager plans, coordinates, and administers the strategic and daily operational activities of the City of Surprise Planning Division. The role contributes to the annual budget and develops division goals, staff plans, and action plans. It develops and regulates policies and procedures related to planning, zoning, development, and administration, and oversees updates and amendments to the City’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The manager assists development professionals, business owners, and residents through the planning application process using a solutions-based, customer-oriented approach.

The manager leads, mentors, and manages Project Coordinators, Zoning Specialists, and Planners at various levels, including a Senior Planner. The position works primarily in an office environment, with standard hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some early morning or evening meetings may be required. Future schedule flexibility may be offered once the employee is current on all aspects of the department’s operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, civil engineering, or a related field.
• Five years of increasingly responsible municipal planning and administrative experience, in the public or private sector.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties may be considered; additional education cannot be substituted for experience.
• Outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Project management skills and exceptional communication and conflict resolution abilities.
• Experience providing exceptional customer service and handling diverse priorities efficiently and accurately.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• AICP certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and administer the Planning Division’s strategic and daily operational activities.
• Assist with developing the annual budget, division goals, and staff and division action plans.
• Develop and regulate policies and procedures related to planning, zoning, development, and administration.
• Oversee updates and amendments to the City’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
• Assist the development community, business owners, and residents through the planning application process with a solutions-based, customer-oriented approach.
• Lead, mentor, and manage Project Coordinators, Zoning Specialists, and Planners at various levels, including a Senior Planner.

What This Job Offers

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