THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Midlothian, Texas is offering an excellent opportunity for a seasoned Planner with a strong background in municipal or regional planning to serve as the Director of Planning. This position will provide the experienced, mid-career professional with a challenging yet stimulating opportunity to work alongside the City’s executive leadership, elected officials, and staff while leading the Planning Department in a fast-paced, high growth suburban environment.

ABOUT MIDLOTHIAN

Midlothian is in northwest Ellis Co, Texas, about 25 miles from either Dallas or Fort Worth at the juncture of US Highways 287 and 67. Midlothian is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metropolitan Area, the economic and cultural hub of North Texas. Midlothian, located at the gateway to the peaceful suburbs of Ellis County, encompasses a land area of 64.35 square miles with an estimated population of 44, 966 as of September 2025. With a strong local economy and a beautiful, rural atmosphere, people are drawn to Midlothian for its small-town charm, well-regarded public schools, and plentiful job opportunities.

THE DEPARTMENT

The City of Midlothian’s Planning Department strives to foster a thriving, sustainable community by driving thoughtful, high-quality development through strategic planning, ordinance creation, and an efficient design and review process. The Department, consisting of 8.0 FTEs and supported by an annual operating budget of $1.18 million, is dedicated to enhancing the look and feel of the City of Midlothian by providing comprehensive planning  information and analyses in support of the work of the City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Historic Advisory Board.

THE POSITION

Midlothian is seeking an experienced, mid-career, municipal or regional planner skilled in recommending policy and procedural improvements based upon a strong grasp of Texas-focused legislation affecting zoning, general planning trends, and best practices to serve as the next Director of Planning. The Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring plans for capital improvement programs, master planning, and facility development. The Director of Planning’s key responsibilities include directing and participating in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures related to city-wide planning and growth management; researching and recommending amendments for proposed ordinances, regulations, and policies; preparing and presenting the Department’s annual budget; serving as the staff liaison at meetings of the City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Historic Advisory Board; and presenting department concerns and recommendations at Council meetings and other work sessions.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in high-growth communities; a desire to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with the capacity to prioritize and handle multiple, multi-faceted projects; excellent interpersonal communication abilities – both orally and in writing; an energetic, hands-on, collaborative, and inclusive leadership style to effectively lead, guide, and mentor a team of early career professionals; and a strong commitment to customer service, along with the ability to shift gears in an agile manner.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will possess the following:

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, architecture or closely related field from an accredited college or university, is required.

• A Master’s degree in urban planning or public administration is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or regional planning is required, including a minimum of three (3) years as a supervisor.

Required Licenses and Certification:

• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification preferred.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record as established by the City of Midlothian driving standards.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The full annual compensation range for this position is $130,032 - $201,550, with final placement in the range dependent on qualifications and experience. Midlothian offers an excellent benefits package. Key benefits include retirement provided by the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). The City matches the employee’s required contribution of 7% to TMRS with a contribution of 14%. The retirement program contributions begin on hire date. Employees are vested in the retirement system after five years of employment and are eligible for retirement after 20 years. Midlothian also requires a 7% contribution to the Social Security System.

For additional benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure by clicking on the .pdf link on this page.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a compelling letter of interest and comprehensive resumé below by Monday, May 4, 2026.

Due to the public nature of searches in the State of Texas, before submission of materials, confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Jacqueline Seabrooks, Senior Consultant | Jackie@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 581-1430