Posting number: 2026-00585
Department: Project Support and Strategy
Job classification: Principal Planner
Posting type: Open
Categories: Planning and Development, Transportation, Architecture
Summary20250620100644_logo.pngThe City of Raleigh is seeking a Principal Planner to join our Planning and Development Department. This role will lead high-impact, complex planning initiatives that shape the future of the community through strategic planning, research, data analysis, and innovative problem-solving. Drive business process improvements by transforming data into actionable insights, developing performance metrics, and implementing solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness and customer service. Champion cross-functional projects of significant complexity and public visibility, coordinating diverse stakeholders, facilitating collaboration, and guiding initiatives from concept through implementation. And lead public engagement efforts, synthesizes technical information into meaningful recommendations, and prepares executive-level reports, presentations, and policy analyses to support informed decision-making.
Additionally, they will serve as a trusted liaison between the department, City leadership, partner agencies, boards and commissions, developers, and the public, fostering strong relationships and advancing strategic priorities. Review and validate complex data to ensure sound planning decisions, mentors and may supervise staff, and provides leadership on initiatives that improve processes, strengthen partnerships, and deliver lasting community impact.
About You:This position is intended for an experienced planning and development professional with demonstrated success leading complex projects, managing multidisciplinary teams, driving organizational improvements, and building collaborative partnerships. The successful candidate will possess advanced knowledge of land development, development review processes, project management, strategic planning, process improvement, procedures development and organizational leadership, along with exceptional communication, facilitation, and relationship management skills. Experience working with executive leadership, public agencies, elected officials, consultants, and the development community is highly desirable.
The ideal candidate is an organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. This position requires a strong understanding of land development, construction processes, permitting, and project coordination, along with the ability to effectively manage complex review processes from intake through project completion. The successful candidate will play a key role in coordinating and managing review types that range from highly centralized, cross-disciplinary collaboration to more disaggregated, department-specific review workflows. The ability to recognize project dependencies, facilitate communication among stakeholders, identify opportunities for process improvements, and maintain consistency across multiple review paths is essential.
A positive attitude, sound judgment, and a collaborative spirit are critical. The ideal candidate is an effective communicator who can build strong working relationships with City leadership, partner agencies, developers, consultants, and the public while balancing customer service with regulatory requirements. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate competing priorities, resolve complex issues, and drive coordinated outcomes that improve efficiency, transparency, and the overall development review experience.
This is an exceptional opportunity for someone who is passionate about improving processes, fostering collaboration, and making a meaningful impact by helping deliver safe, high-quality development and infrastructure projects that benefit the community.
About Us:
The City of Raleigh is the second-largest city in North Carolina and remains one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation. Driven by a strong economy, exceptional quality of life, and a spirit of innovation, Raleigh is consistently recognized as one of the country's best places to live, work, and do business. As North Carolina's Capital City, Raleigh offers the cultural, educational, and economic opportunities of a major metropolitan area while maintaining the accessibility and livability of a vibrant, connected community. Wake County is home to one of the state's highest-performing public school systems, nine colleges and universities, and the internationally recognized Research Triangle Park, a global hub for innovation and technology.
The Planning and Development Department helps shape Raleigh's future by guiding sustainable growth, supporting strategic development initiatives, and delivering exceptional customer service throughout the development review process. Within the Project Support & Strategy Division, the Project Support Team serves as a central resource for project coordination, process improvement, strategic initiatives, building and planning escalations and customer-focused solutions. The team works collaboratively across City departments, partner agencies, and the development community to improve development review processes, enhance operational efficiency, support complex projects, and advance organizational priorities. Through innovation, data-informed decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration, the Project Support Team helps ensure a consistent, transparent, and effective development review experience while supporting Raleigh's continued growth and long-term vision.
Examples of dutiesThe intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Leads and manages highly complex, multidisciplinary planning, development, and strategic initiatives involving significant technical, operational, and organizational complexity
Provides leadership for complex development review processes, coordinating cross-functional teams, facilitating issue resolution, and ensuring consistent application of City policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
Develops, evaluates, and implements strategic initiatives, business process improvements, performance measures, and operational solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness, customer experience, and service delivery
Conducts advanced research, policy analysis, and data evaluation to support executive decision-making, organizational priorities, and long-range operational planning
Prepares and presents complex technical reports, recommendations, policy analyses, and presentations for executive leadership, advisory boards, commissions, regulatory agencies, and elected officials
Serves as a senior advisor and liaison to City departments, partner agencies, developers, consultants, and the public on complex planning, development, and interdepartmental coordination matters
Oversees the evaluation and coordination of complex development applications, strategic initiatives, and special projects requiring collaboration across multiple City departments and external stakeholders
Interprets, develops, and recommends policies, procedures, operational standards, and best practices that improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency across development review processes
Facilitates executive-level meetings, stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and consensus building to advance strategic City initiatives and complex development projects
Leads organizational change initiatives, process modernization efforts, and implementation of innovative technologies, analytics, and performance management tools
Manages consultant contracts, professional service agreements, and specialized studies, including procurement, scope development, contract administration, and performance evaluation
May supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate professional and technical staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Represents the department before City Council, advisory boards, commissions, community organizations, professional groups, and regional or state agencies as assigned
Performs other related duties and special assignments in support of departmental and organizational priorities
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, Transportation or a related field; 5 to 7 years’ of progressively responsible experience in a lead or supervisory capacity related to urban, land use, or regional planning
OR
Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Architecture, Land Scape Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field
8–10+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning, development review, project management, process improvement, or municipal operations
3–5 years leading multidisciplinary teams, strategic initiatives, or complex organizational projects
AICP, PE, RA, RLA,PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent professional certification
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, and methods of urban planning, land development, zoning, subdivision, and municipal development processes
Complex development review processes, including the coordination of multiple disciplines, review types, and regulatory requirements
Project management principles, including scope development, scheduling, risk identification, issue resolution, and stakeholder coordination
Business process improvement methodologies, workflow analysis, performance measurement, and operational efficiency strategies
Municipal government operations, organizational structures, interdepartmental collaboration, and public-sector decision-making processes
Data analysis, reporting techniques, performance metrics, and the use of data to inform policy and operational decisions
Federal, State, and local regulations, policies, ordinances, and procedures affecting planning and development activities
Public engagement practices, stakeholder communication strategies, and consensus-building techniques
Principles of change management, organizational improvement, and implementation of new processes or technologies
Skill in:
Leading complex, multidisciplinary projects involving multiple departments, agencies, stakeholders, and competing priorities
Analyzing complex issues, identifying solutions, and developing recommendations that balance regulatory requirements, operational needs, and customer expectations
Facilitating collaboration among diverse groups, including City leadership, elected officials, developers, consultants, agencies, and the public.
Managing multiple high-priority initiatives while maintaining organization, accountability, and attention to detail
Developing clear and effective written reports, presentations, policies, procedures, and executive-level communications
Using data, analytics, and performance measures to evaluate processes, identify trends, and support continuous improvement
Interpreting technical information, regulations, policies, and procedures and communicating them effectively to varied audiences
Building partnerships, resolving conflicts, and navigating complex organizational environments
Leading meetings, workshops, and stakeholder discussions to achieve alignment and measurable outcomes
Utilizing technology, software systems, and reporting tools to improve project tracking, transparency, and decision-making
Ability to:
Lead strategic initiatives and complex projects from concept through implementation
Serve as a trusted advisor and resource for complex development, operational, and process-related challenges
Translate organizational goals into actionable strategies, workflows, and measurable improvements
Identify process gaps, recommend improvements, and implement solutions that enhance efficiency and customer experience
Coordinate centralized and decentralized review processes to ensure consistency, accountability, and effective communication
Establish priorities, manage competing demands, and make sound decisions in a dynamic environment
Build effective working relationships with internal teams, external partners, community stakeholders, and leadership
Communicate complex technical and regulatory information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
Exercise independent judgment, professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion when addressing sensitive issues
Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
ADA and Other Requirements:
Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor environment or in a vehicle.
Work Exposures:
Employees in this role will occasionally interact with individuals who are hostile or irate.
City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.