The Community & Regional Planning Director plans, directs, organizes, supervises, and participates in the work of department staff responsible for planning, the research and data analytics center, and environmental programs within available state and federal grant assistance or local funding. Work includes a significant amount of effort in directing and coordinating assistance to local government members by the department with grant programs relating to these efforts, including grant writing and renewals and contracts with local governments; budget preparation and maintenance across several work groups; coordination of work efforts among these work groups; serves as planning director for member local governments as assigned and contracted. Work initiatives include setting strategic work plans, supervising the effort, and participating in a wide variety of local government-specific grant administration and other separate unrelated tasks. Work requires thorough knowledge of the various federal and state programs available for planning and environmental planning for the COG; staff management and leadership skills; revenue development and resource management skills; and the ability to apply state-of-the-art technology to work activities.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Strong interpersonal skills to work with the public, local officials, regional partners, and WPCOG staff.
• Significant experience as a manager, assistant manager, department head, assistant department head/division manager at a local government, COG, or private sector planning services firm, or relevant organization.
• Ability to lead strategic projects important to the region and organization.
• Ability to develop and lead department managers and employees.
• Demonstrated capability to develop and manage relationships with local government leaders.
• Strong budgeting ability and understanding of complex organizations.
• An inclination to develop new services and programs to serve our region and its local governments.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Preferred graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in public administration, urban, community, or regional planning, or related field.
• Significant professional experience in public sector planning, administration, and management of federally funded programs.
• Considerable supervisory and administrative experience.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, federal, state, and regional, municipal, and county officials and staff, as well as with the general public.
• An equivalent amount of education and experience may be considered. 

TO APPLY:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/westernpiedmontcog

Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply by October 15, 2026.

Candidates will be subject to an interview and assessment process.

The first round of interviews is expected to take place in early November 2026.

Direct inquiries to tasmin.mack@wpcog.org.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED.

For the full job advertisement, please visit our website at  www.wpcog.org

WPCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer