Community Development Director

Community Development Director

City of Freeport, Illinois

Population: 23,413

The City of Freeport, Illinois, is seeking a detail-oriented, thoughtful, and community-minded Community Development Director. This position is ideal for a dependable professional who is steady, analytical, values collaboration, and is committed to long-term community progress.

📍 About Freeport:

Freeport is a micropolitan hub in northwest Illinois located near U.S. Highway 20. It is thirty miles west of Rockford, fourteen miles south of Wisconsin, sixty-five miles east of Dubuque, and seventy miles west of the Chicago metro. The city blends scenic northern Illinois amenities with the service benefits of a progressive municipality. Freeport is the county seat of Stephenson County and spans 11.7 square miles.

🏛️ Freeport operates under a statutory City Manager form of government. The City Council includes a Mayor and eight Aldermen. The Community Development Director is appointed by and reports directly to the City Manager. Residency within the city is preferred but not required.

📝 Role Overview:

The Community Development Director provides consistent leadership and support to a department responsible for:

• Planning
• Grant administration
• Building inspections
• Code enforcement
• Nuisance abatement
• Compliance oversight for Pretzel Transit and the Senior Center

The Director leads a team of seven professionals and one administrative assistant. The department manages a $6.88 million annual budget across Community Development, Buildings, TIF, and Neighborhood Housing operations.

🔍 Key Responsibilities and Challenges:

• Support blight reduction efforts through structured, community-informed strategies
• Deliver effective services with efficiency and attention to regulatory compliance
• Build sustainable, long-term relationships with community partners
• Contribute to the city's renovation through collaboration and project follow-through
• Support economic development initiatives with thoughtful, programmatic planning

✅ Success in This Role:

The ideal candidate will lead with humility and integrity, show appreciation for team contributions, and work with the community to identify practical, achievable solutions. The City Manager envisions success as a leader who remains calm under pressure, brings out the best in their staff, and stays focused on doing things the right way.

🎓 Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, urban planning, organizational leadership, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• Five to eight years of senior-level municipal or planning leadership experience
• Strong personnel supervision background
• AICP and/or CEDC Certification preferred
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will also be considered

🛠️ Key Skills:

• Reliable follow-through and structured problem solving
• Strong community relationship-building and communication
• Grant management experience
• Effective coordination with local organizations like the Greater Freeport Partnership
• Natural blend of task focus and team collaboration (C/S DISC behavior style)

💼 Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting salary range: $95,000 to $110,000 DOQ
• Full-time, exempt position serving at the pleasure of the City Manager
• IMRF Pension Plan
• 82% city-paid health insurance for individual or family
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• 13 paid holidays annually
• Sick Leave: 1 day per month
• Vacation: 3 weeks, plus 1 week Executive Leave
• Partial relocation assistance (flat rate)
• City-paid professional training and dues
• City-issued laptop and mobile phone

📬 Application Instructions:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and five professional references to:

📧 james@arndtmunicipalsupport.com

🗓️ Application Deadline: August 15, 2025

📞 Confidential inquiries can be directed to:

James W. Arndt, President and CEO

Arndt Municipal Support, Inc.

📱 217-500-0770

The City of Freeport is an Equal Opportunity Employer.