Head of Law (Planning)

United States of America (Exempt)

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager, plans, organizes, and directs the operations of the Planning Department, including current planning and development review, long-range and comprehensive planning, and administration of the City’s Unified Development Code. Serves as the City’s principal advisor on land use, zoning, and development policy to the City Manager’s Office, City Council, and appointed boards and commissions. Responsible for directing the development, adoption, and implementation of the City’s comprehensive vision plan, and associated corridor and small area plans. Responsible for ensuring a high level of service to both internal and external customers.

Learn More About This Opportunity!
Interested in learning more about this position and what it’s like to work for the City of Lewisville? Explore our recruitment brochure for additional details about the role, department, and the opportunity to serve our community.

Click Here to View the Recruitment Brochure

Priority Review Date: Monday, November 16, 2026
Applications received by the priority review date will receive first consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

_ Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. _

Provides leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.

Directs the development, adoption, and implementation of the City’s comprehensive vision plan, together with corridor, small area, and other adopted long-range plans; establishes implementation priorities and reports progress to City Management and Council.

Provides professional planning and land use advice to City Management and Council; makes private and public presentations to City Council, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public.

Serves as, or designates, the staff liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Old Town Design Review Committee; oversees preparation of agendas, staff reports, and recommendations, and ensures compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Public Information Act.

Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control activities; monitors revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control; prepares and administers annual budget requests; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.

Monitors and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

Manages and directs specialized planning functions such as large-scale new development proposals and master planning projects.

Administers the Unified Development Code and the City’s development review process, including the Development Review Committee; ensures applications are processed within the statutory review periods established by Texas Local Government Code and other applicable law; manages updates and amendments to city codes and ordinances.

Coordinates development review and planning initiatives with Engineering, Building Services, Fire Prevention, Economic Development and Tourism, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Neighborhood Services, and Code Enforcement.

Represents the City with regional, state, and federal agencies and adjacent jurisdictions, including NCTCOG, TxDOT, and DCTA; pursues grants and funding partnerships for planning programs and projects; seeks opportunities to serve on regional committees representing the City’s interests.

Personnel management for the department, including assignment of work, monitoring of progress, job performance and evaluations, hiring, discipline, training, professional development, and succession planning.

Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities.

Handles sensitive personnel matters.

Leads special initiatives and long-range planning efforts.

Responsible for providing high-quality, responsive customer service to both internal and external customers of the department. Expected to promote interdepartmental collaboration, build employee morale, and foster a workplace culture consistent with the Lewisville Way.

Performs all other related duties as assigned

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, public administration, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, or a related field is required. Master’s degree in urban or regional planning or public administration preferred.

Experience: Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience. Four (4) years of experience in a supervisory capacity.

Any combination of related, education, experience, certifications, and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

This substitution does not apply to the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification requirement.

Licenses and Certifications: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is required at the time of appointment, or must be obtained within eighteen (18) months of hire.

Conditions of Employment: Must submit to and pass a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug test. Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver’s License Class “C” and good driving record as defined by City policy. An applicant who does not possess a Texas Driver’s License of the proper class will be allowed ten (10) working days after a job offer is made to obtain proper licensing. This position is required to drive.

Other Requirements: This position is subject to emergency operations. The individual holding this position will be required to work as usual or as needed: during emergency operations, in preparation for prolonged emergency operations and/ or during recovery from prolonged emergency operations as directed by their direct supervisor, Department Head or designee, or the City Manager or designee. Regular attendance at evening and weekend meetings of the City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Old Town Design Review Committee, and community meetings is required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and current literature of urban and regional planning, including long-range and comprehensive planning, current planning and development review, zoning, subdivision regulation, urban design, historic preservation, transit-oriented and mixed-use development, housing, and economic development; Texas land use law, including Local Government Code Chapters 211, 212, and 245, the Texas Open Meetings Act, and the Texas Public Information Act, and the roles and limits of quasi-judicial bodies; all other pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; municipal budgeting procedures and techniques; principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management; local government organization, procedures, and practices; community engagement and citizen involvement techniques; and research methods and statistical principles related to urban growth and development.

Skilled in: Providing leadership, assigning responsibility, and following through on assignments to completion; selecting, training, disciplining, evaluating, supervising, and scheduling the work of professional and technical staff to ensure that department objectives are met; preparing, coordinating, administering, and monitoring the department’s budget and goals; managing multiple complex projects simultaneously and meeting firm statutory and administrative deadlines; interpreting and applying ordinances and interpreting research and technical data for reports and recommendations; preparing and delivering effective technical reports and public presentations; building and maintaining effective working relationships at all levels of the organization and with the development community, appointed boards, elected officials, and the public; managing highly visible or controversial projects and resolving complaints tactfully; exceptional written and oral communication; using a personal computer including Microsoft Office and Google applications, e‑mail, internet applications, geographic information systems (GIS), permitting and land management software, database management, and Adobe Creative Suite; accepting responsibility for their own actions; performing work accurately and thoroughly; following instructions, safety practices, and standard operating procedures in performing assigned tasks; being punctual and attending work regularly; and working effectively with people regardless of their race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, genetics, or job type.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials, plans, and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, in public meetings, and over the telephone. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Site visits to development and construction sites may require walking on uneven terrain.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures, and in public meetings on controversial matters.

The City of Lewisville has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities, which may be required. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Levels of positions within a class series are distinguished by the level of responsibility assumed, the complexity of duties assigned, the independence of action taken, the nature of the public contact made, and the impact and span of tasks performed. _
• This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The City of Lewisville has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. _

PAY, BENEFITS & WHAT WE OFFER

More Than a Job — Build Your Career with Lewisvill e

Join the City of Lewisville and enjoy a competitive total rewards package designed to support you at work, at home, and throughout your career.

Explore Employee Benefits!

Work Hours : This position follows the City of Lewisville’s flexible work week, with a typical schedule of:

Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM-5:30 PM

Friday 7:30-11:30 AM

This schedule provides employees with a shorter Friday while supporting work-life balance and continued service to our community.

Salary Range: $160,000 - $190,000 Annually

Starting salary will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

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