JOB DESCRIPTION

Why Traverse City

WE SERVE | COMMUNITY ORIENTED | SERVICE TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD

Traverse City, Michigan offers an exceptional opportunity for a leader who embodies a mindset of possibilities, seeking both professional impact and quality of life. Situated along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan, Traverse City is a four-season destination community and serves as the regional hub of Northern Michigan while maintaining a strong identity. Traverse City is connected to the world through its Cherry Capital Airport, the third busiest airport in Michigan, with direct flights to major metropolitan hubs.

The City has a year-round population of nearly 16,000, with daytime population more than doubling, and significant seasonal population fluctuations that create a dynamic and complex municipal service environment as a highly sought destination community. As the regional hub of Northern Michigan, Traverse City offers a unique blend of small-city character, regional influence, and destination-community demands.

Quality of Life Highlights:

• Four-season outdoor recreation

• Vibrant downtown and waterfront

• Renowned food scene with nationally recognized restaurants, wineries, breweries, and year-round markets

• Strong schools, healthcare, and community services

• Engaged and supportive community

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a values-driven, collaborative leader dedicated to community stewardship, transparent communication, and responsive public service. The next Planning Director will be a skilled manager and communicator capable of allocating municipal resources effectively, establishing strategic priorities that promote sustainable growth, and maintaining executive support through authentic engagement.

• Emotional Intelligence & Professional Poise: Navigates high-profile or sensitive political situations with diplomacy, tact, strict confidentiality, sound judgment, and calm professionalism under public pressure.

• Strategic Collaboration & Alignment: Partners closely with executive leadership to execute Strategic Action Plan Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).

• Feedback-Oriented Leadership: Cultivates an inclusive environment that values input from residents, staff, and municipal boards while encouraging open idea-sharing.

• Public Engagement & Executive Communication: Acts as a primary spokesperson, convenes citizen and neighborhood forums, facilitates public meetings, and conveys complex planning concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Master Planning

• Vision & Policy: Updates the Master Plan and develops short-/long-range land use studies.

• Ordinance & Governance: Modernizes zoning, sign codes, and development frameworks; establishes departmental goals, SOPs, and internal controls.

Operational Management & Interdepartmental Support

• Department Administration: Directs all operations, staff recruitment, evaluations, professional development, and budget administration.

• Multimodal Infrastructure: Partners with City departments to align complete streets and transit projects with the Mobility Action Plan.

• Federal Grants & CDBG: Oversees CDBG entitlement compliance and housing initiatives, delegating daily operations to the Deputy Planning Director.

Public Engagement & Board Representation

• Board Liaison: Serves as official representative to the City Commission, Planning Commission, and advisory committees.

• Community Relations: Facilitates public/developer engagement, oversees site plan reviews, and collaborates with regional entities.

Sustainability & Growth

• Climate Initiatives: Supports implementation of the Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) and promotes resilience strategies.

• Funding Procurement: Directs grant applications for transportation, capital projects, and community development.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Public Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• Planning: 5+ years of progressive planning experience (master planning, placemaking, ordinance drafting, zoning).

• Leadership & Grants: 3+ years supervisory and budget management experience preferred; proven HUD CDBG/grant administration background.

• Certification: AICP certification required (CNU-A, LEED AP, or CEcD preferred).

• Schedule & Residency: Must reside within 30 miles of city limits within 12 months; available for mandatory evening meetings and occasional weekend events.

Application Deadline

Open until filled. Applications reviewed upon receipt.

BENEFITS

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. Defined benefit pension plan, 457(b) match options, and generous paid time off. Relocation assistance and potential temporary housing stipend available for qualified candidates. Flexible workplace culture with hybrid and flex-time options.