Principal Planner

Salary: $81,606.00 - $126,469.00 Annually
Location : One Exchange Plaza 219 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-00682
Department: Project Support and Strategy
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Work Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:30 am - 5:15 pm
Hiring Range: $81,606.00 - $104,038.00


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 successful candidate will play a key role in coordinating and managing review types that range from highly centralized, cross-disciplinary collaboration to more disaggregated, department-specific review workflows. 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
• Public engagement practices, stakeholder communication strategies, and consensus-building techniques
• Principles of change management, organizational improvement, and implementation of new processes or technologies

Skill in:

• Leading complex, multidisciplinary projects involving multiple departments, agencies, stakeholders, and competing priorities
• Analyzing complex issues, identifying solutions, and developing recommendations that balance regulatory requirements, operational needs, and customer expectations
• Facilitating collaboration among diverse groups, including City leadership, elected officials, developers, consultants, agencies, and the public
• Managing multiple high-priority initiatives while maintaining organization, accountability, and attention to detail
• Developing clear and effective written reports, presentations, policies, procedures, and executive-level communications
• Using data, analytics, and performance measures to evaluate processes, identify trends, and support continuous improvement
• Interpreting technical information, regulations, policies, and procedures and communicating them effectively to varied audiences
• Building partnerships, resolving conflicts, and navigating complex organizational environments
• Leading meetings, workshops, and stakeholder discussions to achieve alignment and measurable outcomes
• Utilizing technology, software systems, and reporting tools to improve project tracking, transparency, and decision-making

Ability to:

• Lead strategic initiatives and complex projects from concept through implementation
• Serve as a trusted advisor and resource for complex development, operational, and process-related challenges
• Translate organizational goals into actionable strategies, workflows, and measurable improvements
• Identify process gaps, recommend improvements, and implement solutions that enhance efficiency and customer experience
• Coordinate centralized and decentralized review processes to ensure consistency, accountability, and effective communication
• Establish priorities, manage competing demands, and make sound decisions in a dynamic environment
• Build effective working relationships with internal teams, external partners, community stakeholders, and leadership
• Communicate complex technical and regulatory information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Exercise independent judgment, professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion when addressing sensitive issues
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement

ADA and Other Requirements:
Work Environment and Physical Effort:

Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Work Environment:

Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor environment or in a vehicle.
Work Exposures:

Employees in this role will occasionally interact with individuals who are hostile or irate.
City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
When you join the City of Raleigh's work family as a full-time employee, your benefits are an important part of your "total rewards". Your benefits impact many aspects of your life including your health, your finances, and the protection of your family. The City provides a comprehensive benefits package as part of our total rewards program to support you through important events in your life, to enhance your life outside work, and to help you plan and prepare for the future.


To find out about the City's benefits package, and other programs, please visit our Employee Benefits page:

The City employs temporary and seasonal employees who generally are scheduled to work on a short-term basis. However, if you are hired as a temporary or seasonal employee, or as an intern, you are not eligible for the City of Raleigh's benefits.
01


Please select your highest level of education completed.

• Some high school
• High school diploma (or GED)
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• PhD or other professional degree

02


How many years of progressively responsible experience in a lead or supervisory capacity related to urban, land use, or regional planning do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 5 years
• 5 to less than 6 years
• 6 to less than 7 years
• 7 to less than 8 years
• 8 to less than 9 years
• 9 to less than 10 years
• 10 years or more

03


Do you have a valid North Carolina Driver's License Class C or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire?

• Yes, I currently have a valid NC Driver's License.
• I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License, but I can obtain one within 60 days of hire.
• No, I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License and NO, I cannot obtain one within 60 days of hire.

04


Have you ever been terminated or forced to resign from a position?

• Yes
• No

05


If you answered "yes" to being terminated or forced to resign, please provide an explanation and the date.
06


Describe the most complex project or initiative you have led that required coordination across multiple departments, agencies, or stakeholder groups. What challenges did you encounter, how did you align competing priorities, and what was the outcome?
07


Tell us about a time you identified a process, workflow, or operational challenge and took action to improve it. How did you analyze the issue, gain support from stakeholders, implement the change, and measure success?
08


This position requires supporting processes that may range from centralized coordination models to decentralized reviews managed by multiple disciplines. Describe your experience managing or improving a process where multiple teams had independent responsibilities but needed to deliver a consistent customer experience.
09


Describe a situation where you had to communicate a difficult message, manage competing expectations, or explain why a requested outcome could not be achieved. How did you maintain the relationship while ensuring organizational requirements were met?
10


Tell us about a time when you recognized an opportunity to improve an organization, process, or service delivery approach even though it was outside your immediate responsibilities. What motivated you to take action, and what impact did your efforts have?
Required Question