Principal Planner

Job Title

Leads high-impact, complex planning initiatives that shape the future of the community through strategic planning, research, data analysis, and innovative problem-solving.

Job Description

Leads high-impact, complex planning initiatives that shape the future of the community through strategic planning, research, data analysis, and innovative problem-solving. Drives business process improvements by transforming data into actionable insights, developing performance metrics, and implementing solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness and customer service.

Champions cross-functional projects of significant complexity and public visibility, coordinating diverse stakeholders, facilitating collaboration, and guiding initiatives from concept through implementation. Leads public engagement efforts, synthesizes technical information into meaningful recommendations, and prepares executive-level reports, presentations, and policy analyses to support informed decision-making.

Serves as a trusted liaison between the department, City leadership, partner agencies, boards and commissions, developers, and the public, fostering strong relationships and advancing strategic priorities. Reviews and validates complex data to ensure sound planning decisions, mentors and may supervise staff, and provides leadership on initiatives that improve processes, strengthen partnerships, and deliver lasting community impact.

About You: This position is intended for an experienced planning and development professional with demonstrated success leading complex projects, managing multidisciplinary teams, driving organizational improvements, and building collaborative partnerships. The successful candidate will possess advanced knowledge of land development, development review processes, project management, strategic planning, process improvement, and organizational leadership, along with exceptional communication, facilitation, and relationship management skills. Experience working with executive leadership, public agencies, elected officials, consultants, and the development community is highly desirable.

The ideal candidate is an organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. This position requires a strong understanding of land development, construction processes, permitting, and project coordination, along with the ability to effectively manage complex review processes from intake through project completion. The ability to recognize project dependencies, facilitate communication among stakeholders, identify opportunities for process improvements, and maintain consistency across multiple review paths is essential.

A positive attitude, sound judgment, and a collaborative spirit are critical. The ideal candidate is an effective communicator who can build strong working relationships with City leadership, partner agencies, developers, consultants, and the public while balancing customer service with regulatory requirements. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate competing priorities, resolve complex issues, and drive coordinated outcomes that improve efficiency, transparency, and the overall development review experience.

This is an exceptional opportunity for someone who is passionate about improving processes, fostering collaboration, and making a meaningful impact by helping deliver safe, high-quality development and infrastructure projects that benefit the community.

About Us: The City of Raleigh is the second-largest city in North Carolina and remains one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation. Driven by a strong economy, exceptional quality of life, and a spirit of innovation, Raleigh is consistently recognized as one of the country's best places to live, work, and do business. As North Carolina's Capital City, Raleigh offers the cultural, educational, and economic opportunities of a major metropolitan area while maintaining the accessibility and livability of a vibrant, connected community. Wake County is home to one of the state's highest-performing public school systems, nine colleges and universities, and the internationally recognized Research Triangle Park, a global hub for innovation and technology.

The Planning and Development Department helps shape Raleigh's future by guiding sustainable growth, supporting strategic development initiatives, and delivering exceptional customer service throughout the development review process. Within the Project Support & Strategy Division, the Project Support Team serves as a central resource for project coordination, process improvement, strategic initiatives, building and planning escalations and customer-focused solutions.

The team works collaboratively across City departments, partner agencies, and the development community to improve development review processes, enhance operational efficiency, support complex projects, and advance organizational priorities. Through innovation, data-informed decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration, the Project Support Team helps ensure a consistent, transparent, and effective development review experience while supporting Raleigh's continued growth and long-term vision.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Leads and manages highly complex, multidisciplinary planning, development, and strategic initiatives involving significant technical, operational, and organizational complexity

• Provides leadership for complex development review processes, coordinating cross-functional teams, facilitating issue resolution, and ensuring consistent application of City policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements

• Develops, evaluates, and implements strategic initiatives, business process improvements, performance measures, and operational solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness, customer experience, and service delivery

• Conducts advanced research, policy analysis, and data evaluation to support executive decision-making, organizational priorities, and long-range operational planning

• Prepares and presents complex technical reports, recommendations, policy analyses, and presentations for executive leadership, advisory boards, commissions, regulatory agencies, and elected officials

• Serves as a senior advisor and liaison to City departments, partner agencies, developers, consultants, and the public on complex planning, development, and interdepartmental coordination matters

• Oversees the evaluation and coordination of complex development applications, strategic initiatives, and special projects requiring collaboration across multiple City departments and external stakeholders

• Interprets, develops, and recommends policies, procedures, operational standards, and best practices that improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency across development review processes

• Facilitates executive-level meetings, stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and consensus building to advance strategic City initiatives and complex development projects

• Leads organizational change initiatives, process modernization efforts, and implementation of innovative technologies, analytics, and performance management tools

• Manages consultant contracts, professional service agreements, and specialized studies, including procurement, scope development, contract administration, and performance evaluation

• May supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate professional and technical staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement

• Represents the department before City Council, advisory boards, commissions, community organizations, professional groups, and regional or state agencies as assigned

• Performs other related duties and special assignments in support of departmental and organizational priorities

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, Transportation or a related field; 5 to 7 years' of progressively responsible experience in a lead or supervisory capacity related to urban, land use, or regional planning OR Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid NC Class C Driver's License or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Architecture, Land Scape Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field

• 8–10+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning, development review, project management, process improvement, or municipal operations.

• 3–5 years leading multidisciplinary teams, strategic initiatives, or complex organizational projects.

• AICP, PE, RA, RLA,PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent professional certification

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of urban planning, land development, zoning, subdivision, and municipal development processes

• Complex development review processes, including the coordination of multiple disciplines, review types, and regulatory requirements

• Project management principles, including scope development, scheduling, risk identification, issue resolution, and stakeholder coordination

• Business process improvement methodologies, workflow analysis, performance measurement, and operational efficiency strategies

• Municipal government operations, organizational structures, interdepartmental collaboration, and public-sector decision-making processes

• Data analysis, reporting techniques, performance metrics, and the use of data to inform policy and operational decisions

• Federal, State, and local regulations, policies, ordinances, and procedures affecting planning and development activities