What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Planning & Development Services (New Role) position at Wake County?
What You'll Be Doing
Wake County is growing, and we’re building a department to help shape that growth with purpose and vision. As the Director of Planning & Development Services, you will lead a newly established department focused on planning, permitting, inspections, and watershed management. This is a unique opportunity to build a team, set strategic direction, and influence how development happens in one of the fastest-growing counties in the country.
In This Leadership Role, You Will
How to Apply Please submit a complete application that includes a cover letter and full resume detailing your relevant experience. Applications will be reviewed beginning the week of January 19, 2026, so early submission is encouraged. About Our Team
The Wake County Planning & Development Services Department exists to ensure that growth and development are managed responsibly by preserving the outstanding quality of life that all Wake County residents expect. As the population and economy continue to grow in Wake County, the need for this approach increases. The Department is the County’s leading resource for administering the County’s regulations pertaining to land development. This work is guided by the County’s Unified Development Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, Stormwater Regulations, and North Carolina Building Code.
The Department includes various work groups to advance development in Wake County’s jurisdiction. Those groups include building permitting and inspections, stormwater, watershed management, planning and zoning. The department is also instrumental in convening stakeholders that have common interests in advanced land development projects. The stakeholders may include regional agencies related to transportation, stormwater, watershed management, or other planning efforts. The Planning & Development Services team recognizes that community engagement and stakeholder feedback are a critical step in any planning process. As such, team members are skilled at outreach and engagement practices.
Required
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
Location: WCOB Raleigh, NC 27601
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:15pm
First Review of Applications: 1/19/2026
Anticipated Hiring Range: 158,953.00 - 222,533.00
Market Range: 158,953.00 - 286,113.00
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
What Makes Wake Great Equal Opportunity Statement Background Check Statement Emergency Service Worker Statement
What Makes Wake Great
Home to the State Capital, Wake County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live, work and play. The central location of the County allows for a short drive to the spectacular mountains or coast. Wake County Government is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are elected at-large to serve two-year terms. Wake County Government has a general operating budget of $1.874 billion, employs over 4400 employees, experiences minimal turnover, and is an award-winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives; such as offering employees and covered spouses free access to the Employee Health Center. Wake County Government offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, a stable career in public service with a balance of work and family life, flexible work schedules and a competitive salary and benefits package.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Background Check Statement
Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
Wake County is growing, and we’re building a department to help shape that growth with purpose and vision. As the Director of Planning & Development Services, you will lead a newly established department focused on planning, permitting, inspections, and watershed management. This is a unique opportunity to build a team, set strategic direction, and influence how development happens in one of the fastest-growing counties in the country.
In This Leadership Role, You Will
- Guide the work of four core divisions: Administration, Planning, Building Permits and Inspections, and Watershed Management
- Develop and implement the department’s annual business plan and long-term strategy
- Build trusted relationships and collaborate with internal teams, external agencies, and the development community to drive innovation and resolve complex issues
- Oversee budget planning and ensure fiscal responsibility across all operations
- Monitor legislation and lead the department’s response to regulatory changes
- Represent the department in public forums, media, and community outreach
- Supervise and develop a high-performing senior leadership team
- Champion innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery
How to Apply Please submit a complete application that includes a cover letter and full resume detailing your relevant experience. Applications will be reviewed beginning the week of January 19, 2026, so early submission is encouraged. About Our Team
The Wake County Planning & Development Services Department exists to ensure that growth and development are managed responsibly by preserving the outstanding quality of life that all Wake County residents expect. As the population and economy continue to grow in Wake County, the need for this approach increases. The Department is the County’s leading resource for administering the County’s regulations pertaining to land development. This work is guided by the County’s Unified Development Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, Stormwater Regulations, and North Carolina Building Code.
The Department includes various work groups to advance development in Wake County’s jurisdiction. Those groups include building permitting and inspections, stormwater, watershed management, planning and zoning. The department is also instrumental in convening stakeholders that have common interests in advanced land development projects. The stakeholders may include regional agencies related to transportation, stormwater, watershed management, or other planning efforts. The Planning & Development Services team recognizes that community engagement and stakeholder feedback are a critical step in any planning process. As such, team members are skilled at outreach and engagement practices.
Required
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
- Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, or a related field
- Eight (8) years of experience in government administration, planning or development services including at least four (4) years of supervisory experience
- A strong commitment to public service and a track record of leading complex, multi-disciplinary teams
- Equivalent education and experience are accepted
- Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
- Master’s degree in Public Administration, Planning, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field
- Eight (8) years of senior management-level experience as a Deputy County Manager, Deputy City Manager or Deputy Director in land use planning, environmental engineering, or development services programs
- Excellent leadership, change management execution and project management skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with a track record of successful cross-functional collaboration
- Ability to lead senior management teams by setting expectations, evaluating performance, and fostering professional development
- Excellent critical thinking skills with ability to prioritize
- Ability to identify performance measures and develop corrective action plans to support excellent customer service
- Ability to evaluate regulatory requirements and legislative impacts to guide compliance and policy decisions
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction for Department with associated goals and objectives for each major division and through policy development
Location: WCOB Raleigh, NC 27601
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:15pm
First Review of Applications: 1/19/2026
Anticipated Hiring Range: 158,953.00 - 222,533.00
Market Range: 158,953.00 - 286,113.00
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
What Makes Wake Great Equal Opportunity Statement Background Check Statement Emergency Service Worker Statement
What Makes Wake Great
Home to the State Capital, Wake County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live, work and play. The central location of the County allows for a short drive to the spectacular mountains or coast. Wake County Government is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are elected at-large to serve two-year terms. Wake County Government has a general operating budget of $1.874 billion, employs over 4400 employees, experiences minimal turnover, and is an award-winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives; such as offering employees and covered spouses free access to the Employee Health Center. Wake County Government offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, a stable career in public service with a balance of work and family life, flexible work schedules and a competitive salary and benefits package.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Background Check Statement
Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
Salary : $158,953 - $286,113