Assistant Planning Director

TOWN OF APEX

invites applications for the position of:

Assistant Planning Director

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $114,832 - 140,627

WORK LOCATION: 322 N Mason Street, 322 N. Mason St, Apex, NC 27502 USA

SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm

POSTING CLOSING DATE: October 26th, 2026

• Please note the start date for this role to be January 19, 2027*

Step into a high‑impact leadership role as Assistant Planning Director, where you'll shape the community's future by driving visionary Current or Long Range Planning initiatives and elevating the department's strategic direction. As the trusted second‑in‑command, you'll command essential operations, lead critical administrative functions, and take the helm as acting director-making this the perfect opportunity for a dynamic planning professional ready to influence growth at the highest level.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE AN IMPACT:

The Assistant Planning Director oversees and directs either the Current Planning or Long Range Planning section of the Planning Department by providing direction and oversight to achieve planning and development-related strategic goals. The Assistant Planning Director is responsible for the routine administrative tasks of the department including budget, finance, personnel, and other procedural documentation. The Assistant Planning Director shall be responsible for Planning Department operations in the absence of the Planning Director.

This position reports to the Planning Director and has supervisory responsibilities.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE:

• Supervises senior Current Planning or Long Range Planning section staff; performs performance development and review evaluations; delegates assignments and tasks to staff; provides guidance and support to staff; coordinates staff duties with other departments.
• Frequently conducts staff meetings with employees in the Current Planning, Long Range Planning, and/or Zoning Compliance sections to keep them abreast of information as well as project updates.
• Meets frequently with subordinate supervisors to solve more complex problems and provides guidance to all Planning staff in the absence of the Planning Director.

Consults with section managers on routine or minor personnel actions and makes personnel selection decisions with approval of Planning Director.

Prepares job postings for vacancies; performs interviews with applicants; completes candidate selection forms for new hires; and supports new hires' onboarding and initial training.

• Engages in considerable personal contact with citizens concerning complaints, assists staff with investigations, and decides or recommends actions; prepares citizen communication materials as needed.

• Researches and prepares planning elements necessary for decisions by management or boards regarding land use and zoning issues.

• Reviews Town Code of Ordinances and Unified Development Ordinance and makes recommendations for changes to the Planning Director, Assistant Town Manager, Town Manager, and Town Council.

• Consults and coordinates with other municipalities, governmental agencies, citizen, professional, and regulatory groups for policies and fee schedules; receives reports from Current Planning section on the development of ordinance amendments; receives reports from Long Range Planning section on the development of regional plans or area plans.

• Participates in workshops, meetings, and public hearings to explain planning proposals; answers citizen questions concerning plans and problems; makes various presentations of staff recommendations and possible scenarios; coordinates the preparation of or prepares computerized presentations, charts, maps, graphs, and other illustrative materials for presentation to elected officials, appointed boards, and citizens.

• Serves as staff to Town Council and the Planning Board; serves as staff to other committees, commissions, and task forces when needed.

• Prepares, reviews, and administers departmental budget.

• Plans, organizes, and monitors a variety of contracted work; coordinates with staff overseeing contractors.

• Serves in the absence of the Planning Director providing supervision to the department; attending Directors meetings; authorizing budgetary expenses; serving as the lead staff at the Planning Board meetings; and interpreting the UDO as needed.

WHAT SETS YOU UP FOR SUCCESS:

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 10 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with a minimum of 7 years of experience in a managerial position within public sector planning, including considerable supervisory experience. An AICP Certification is required.

GET TO KNOW APEX:

Known as "The Peak of Good Living", the Town of Apex is a rapidly growing Wake County municipality with a current population of more than 84,000 and has been ranked as one of Money Magazine''s Best Place to Live in America. Our current workforce is comprised of over 740 full-time employees and over 125 part-time/seasonal staff. Our Human Resources Department - with the support and confidence of Town leadership - is committed to providing best-in-class HR programs for our employees, with a mission to create a culture of empowerment and accountability that maximizes individual and organizational potential. We offer a generous benefit package and have a highly competitive compensation program. More than that, the Town is an awesome place to work, as evidenced by the high job satisfaction rating received in the last employee opinion survey conducted with our employees.

BENEFITS THAT SUPPORT YOU:

Not only is the Town "The Peak of Good Living", but it''s also a great place to work! We strive to "reach the peak" of being an employer of choice by providing competitive salaries and excellent benefits, including:

• Free or low-cost medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees
• 5% contributions to the NC401(k) retirement plans (no matching required)
• Participation in the Local Government Employees'' Retirement System (LGERS)
• Traditional sick and vacation leave
• 80 hours Peak Paid Time Off per year
• $1,200 Peak Lifestyle Benefit to pay for health and wellness activities (after completion of probation)
• 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• 3 weeks of Paid Caregiver Leave
• Bereavement leave
• 13 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive wellness program, and more!

KEEP IN MIND:

Providing a safe work environment for our employees is a top priority, therefore all new hires must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test, post-offer functional testing (if required by position), background verifications including references, criminal record and driver''s license check prior to employment. Some positions may also require SBI fingerprinting as part of the background screening process.

The Town of Apex provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation or marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.