The City and County of Denver's Community Planning and Development Department (CPD) is seeking a talented leader who exemplifies the characteristics of a collaborative and energetic work environment to fill our Director for Zoning and Preservation position.  We are looking for an individual who desires to be an integral part of a forward thinking and problem- solving senior CPD leadership team, who is an excellent communicator, will provide strong leadership skills, is willing to embrace and implement new technology and new ways to perform, while providing exemplary customer service.   

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver (CCD) means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. Click here to find out about all the amazing benefits and reasons to work for CCD!  

What We Offer 

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The starting salary range for this position is expected to be $155,000-178,000/year, based on education and experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but is not limited to:

• Five Medical Plans, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Pension Plan for Life (Employee contributes 8.45%, Employer matches at 17.95%)
• 457 (b) Retirement Plan (no early withdrawal fee!)
• PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year) and 14 paid holidays
• Yearly Merit Increase
• STD, LTD, HSA, FSA, Life Insurance
• CARE Bank, Family Leave Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program, Employee Volunteer Program

Location 

This position is located at the Wellington Webb Building, located at 201 W Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80202.

What You’ll Do

Please note that Community Planning and Development (CPD) has successfully finalized and implemented a major structural reorganization. This initiative was designed to achieve smaller supervisor-to-employee ratios, enhance career pathways, improve permit plan review and issuance turnaround times, reduce bureaucracy, and foster stronger cross-departmental collaboration. The transition to the new organizational structure was completed in Q1 2025. This reorganization presents a unique opportunity for the incoming Director of Zoning and Preservation to help shape, lead, and strengthen the newly aligned organization as we continue building a better, more resilient Denver.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop annual and multi-year work plans and strategies to meet business needs. Develop and direct the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards to ensure success. 
• Communicate business and work area plans and goals to managers and/or supervisors to secure buy-in. Review, approve, and implement recommended changes to plans and lead the development of process and/or operational improvements.
• Prioritize and allocate resources to achieve strategies. Utilize resources to develop or expand services and/or operation. Ensure resources are utilized appropriately and do not exceed the established budget without approval.
• Create and administer zoning code interpretations, determinations, and policies and integrate work group procedures and subject matter expertise across departmental and inter-agency work areas for consistency.
• Resolve sensitive, controversial issues by making decisions that are inclusive of multiple perspectives.
• Represent the department in meetings with elected and/or appointed officials and other city entities. Serves as the city representative with a variety of public, business, and community organizations. Fosters collaborative relationships to the benefit of the organization.
• Create performance metrics for direct reports, and review and approve performance metrics established by managers/supervisors in conjunction with department leadership with the assistance of the data team. Assist managers and supervisors in the achievement of performance standards while identifying opportunities for continual performance-, project- and process improvements.
• Provide resolution for complex citizen complaints that have been escalated to the Director level including long-term resolutions in problem areas.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to other managers and supervisors involved in zoning code development, review, implementation and enforcement.
• Oversee and support historic preservation programs in alignment with city goals, including landmark designation processes, certificates of appropriateness, and integration of preservation policies with zoning and planning initiatives.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:​

• Ten (10) years of professional planning experience or experience developing and/or implementing land use regulations which must include two years of experience managing professional planners or other land use professionals.
• Strong command of and familiarity with:  Form-based and use-based zoning codes; urban design standards and guidelines; application of zoning to specific project review; zoning inspections and enforcement; and public and internal requests for clarification or interpretation. 
• Familiarity and knowledge of the Denver Zoning Code a plus.
• Familiarity with historic preservation principles, regulations, and landmark review processes is a plus.
• Experienced and proactive manager with strong leadership skills and proven record of success.
• Effective communicator committed to inclusive and transparent processes.
• Skilled in fostering broad consensus and translating zoning to clear strategies for implementation
• Creative, visionary, collaborative, and practical.
• Big picture thinker who understands the importance of balancing regulatory requirements with supporting a business friendly Denver.
• Dedicated to high quality and sustainable city development and customer friendly processes.
• Able to work with customers and across disciplines to find creative ways to solve complex regulatory challenges in a manner that helps to advance CPD and citywide goals and objectives.
• Highly proficient and knowledgeable in best practices in legislation and code drafting and in policy implementation through regulatory initiatives and reform.
• AICP certified (preferred)
• Experienced in a public or regulatory environment

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirement: Bachelor’s Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Public Administration, or a related degree.
• Experience Requirement: Five (5) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of professional planners.
• Education/Experience Equivalency: Two (2) years of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirement

Application Deadline

To be considered for this position, you must include the following with your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Apply no later than Sunday, May 18th, 2025, at midnight to ensure consideration.