AN OUTSTANDING CAREER OPPORTUNITY
As one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities and an emerging center for innovation, culture, and economic opportunity, the city is navigating increasingly complex decisions around growth, development, affordability, and quality of life. Austin seeks an outward-facing and highly engaged Planning Director to help lead this next chapter – a strategic and communicative leader who can build relationships, engage effectively with City Council and stakeholders, and guide planning and development decisions with both vision and practical judgment while preserving the character and spirit that make Austin unique.
ABOUT AUSTIN
People in Austin enjoy the wide variety of what the city offers, including restaurants, museums, and nature trails, attending world class arts, culture and sporting events at The University of Texas of Austin, browsing uniquely local retailers and vintage shops, and cheering on Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. Austin is thriving and is fueled by an influx of people and businesses, making Greater Austin one of the country's fastest-growing regions. Austin is currently the 13th largest city in the U.S. and is projected to be the 3rd largest metro in the U.S. by 2100.
Located at the edge of the Texas Hill Country -- rolling terrain of limestone bluffs, springs, rivers, and lakes -- Austin’s climate is ideal for year-round jogging, cycling, hiking on the city’s many trails, or swimming at Barton Springs Pool or one of the area’s many other swimming holes. There are several excellent golf courses in the area, as well as opportunities for rowing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, rock climbing, disc golf, mountain biking, fishing, and more. Austin has something for everyone.
To learn more about the dynamic City of Austin, visit austintexas.gov.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Austin Planning Department provides planning, preservation, and design services to residents, businesses, developers, and other stakeholders. These services include long-range planning, neighborhood involvement and plan implementation, zoning case management, historic preservation, and urban design services.
Achieving this work is a staff of 74 full-time equivalent positions and an annual operating budget of approximately $14 million. Supporting the Director are an Assistant Director, a Chief Administrative Officer, and a Public Information and Marketing Manager. The Assistant Director oversees a Zoning Officer, a Development Officer, and the City’s Demographer.
THE POSITION
Reporting to an Assistant City Manager, the Austin Planning Director provides strategic leadership for one of the nation’s most dynamic and rapidly evolving cities. The Director leads the City’s planning and zoning function and helps shape Austin’s future through thoughtful growth management, redevelopment, inclusive engagement, and long-range policy execution. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to City leadership and elected officials while building strong partnerships across neighborhoods, the development community, public agencies, and civic organizations. Key responsibilities include developing and executing departmental goals, policies, staffing priorities, and operating plans; serving as the department’s primary representative to the City Council, City Manager’s Office, boards and commissions, residents, and external partners; directing planning and zoning operations to support sustainable growth, urban design excellence, redevelopment initiatives, and effective land-use policy implementation; building trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups and facilitating productive dialogue around complex community priorities and development opportunities; providing strategic counsel and recommendations to City leadership and elected officials; developing productive partnerships with public agencies, private developers, nonprofit organizations, and business leaders to advance transformational projects and community outcomes; and leading high-profile redevelopment efforts and complex public-private initiatives that shape Austin’s physical and economic future.
Austin seeks an outward-facing and highly engaged leader who combines deep planning expertise with the judgment, presence, and confidence required to lead in a dynamic public environment. The successful candidate will be politically astute and comfortable operating at the intersection of policy, growth, community expectations, and civic leadership. Above all, Austin seeks a proactive, innovative, and values-driven leader who can inspire teams, solve problems collaboratively, and help shape the city’s next chapter with confidence and integrity.
QUALIFICATIONS
The following are the minimum requirements for the position:
Education: Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in major course work in Public Administration, Planning, Social Sciences, or another related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: Eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning and zoning, including at least three years in a supervisory or managerial capacity. Graduation with a Master's degree may substitute for two years of non-supervisory/managerial experience.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for the Austin Planning Director is $211,000 to $221,000, with placement in the range depending on qualifications. The benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, compensated leave, short-term disability, and retirement benefits. The City is a member of the Proportionate Retirement Program. Optional benefits include supplemental life insurance, a 457 deferred compensation plan, long-term disability plan, and a legal plan.
Visit Austin Employee Benefits to learn more about the City’s employee benefits.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
Interested candidates should apply by submitting a comprehensive résumé and compelling cover letter below no later than Monday, July 6, 2026.
Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:
This recruitment has closed and is no longer accepting applications.
