Type:
Job
Organization:
City of Seattle
Location:
Seattle, Washington
Job Description:
The Director of OPCD reports to the Mayor and supports his vision of building thriving communities through alignment and coordination of resources and investments to accommodate affordable housing, transportation, open space, and economic opportunity.
Other responsibilities include:
- Developing strong relationships with City department leaders to establish, identify, negotiate, and align priorities and capital investments;
- Communicating to the Mayor and Council members on neighborhood priorities, citywide initiatives, and projects, and providing a strong rationale and case for priority projects;
- Commitment to the Race and Social Justice Initiative, working to ensure that planning and community development is distributed fairly, justly, and equitably to all Seattle communities through effective community engagement.
- Overseeing two core divisions focused on research, and planning and implementation to guide and support data-driven decisions and citywide planning projects and initiatives;
- Guiding and directing planning, policies, and implementation decisions and translating them into goals, objectives, and executable strategies; and
- Developing recommendations to improve interdepartmental alignment and coordination.
- This position reports to the Mayor and requires confirmation by the majority of the City Council.
The Ideal Candidate:
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray is seeking a Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development who is committed to building thriving communities. This critical role requires a talented and unifying leader to bring innovative ideas and management to the department, and translate big picture vision and goals into realistic plans with effective and well-coordinated project implementation. Candidates should be dynamic and decisive, and excel in both high-performing internal management and external relations including the ability to successfully work through highly collaborative community processes with diverse interests and cultures.
Leadership:
Inspiring, Courageous, Leadership:
- Ability to inspire, persuade, engage, speak straight-forwardly about complex planning and community development issues, make tough decisions and take difficult actions.
- Display balanced thinking that combines analysis, wisdom, experience and perspective.
- Produce data-driven decisions that withstand the “test of time.”
Strategic Vision:
- Ability to influence and articulate the Mayor’s vision and goals for building thriving communities and translate the vision and goals into plans that are realistic and effective.
Creativity and Innovation:
- Ability to generate new, innovative and visionary approaches to problem solving that are effective and responsive.
Build a Talented, Effective Staff Team:
- Hire, mentor, develop, retain, and manage a diverse staff.
- Assemble and reinforce a cohesive, dedicated, highly effective inter-disciplinary team.
- Ability to lead team through change processes.
- Works to implement the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Business and Management Acumen:
- Ability to manage human, financial and information resources strategically.
- Brings innovative approaches and solutions.
- Streamline and remove processes that do not bring value.
- Measure success based on results.
- Set high standards of performance, using accountability measures and benchmarks to track progress.
Flexibility:
- Manages effectively in a rapidly changing environment, while staying focused on priorities.
Constituent Relations and Collaboration:
Partnering:
- Builds alliances and collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships with other city departments, outside agencies, different levels of government, and private interests.
- Brings diverse leaders together to discuss and resolve regional planning and community development issues and break down traditional silos.
- Inspires action without relying solely on authority.
- Good listener.
- Perceives the complexity of situations quickly.
Drive External Communications and Relationships:
- Develop and nurture mission-critical relationships with labor, the media, business, political leaders, neighborhood groups, advisory groups and the public.
Inter-disciplinary Approach:
- Effectively manages and integrates multiple disciplines, including technical, operational, planning and policy development.
Cultural Competency:
- Focus on racial equity in ways that enable effective working relationships in diverse communities and cross-cultural situations.
- Creates planning solutions for traditionally underserved communities.
Desirable Qualifications:
BA degree in economics, business, urban planning, or other relevant degree with at least seven years experience in a senior leadership role within a large and complex publicly accountable organization. The preferred candidate will have experience successfully leading high-priority and highly visible projects, and have demonstrated management experience overseeing direct reports. A master’s degree is preferred.
About the City of Seattle:
The City of Seattle is a coastal seaport city and with nearly 635,000 residents. Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region and one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Ringed by snowcapped mountain peaks. Crisscrossed by fresh and salt waterways. Home to urban centers, villages and vibrant neighborhoods, Seattle is an incredible place
to live. Spectacular natural surroundings, world-class education systems, thriving urban centers, vibrant neighborhoods and a lively arts and culture scene are just some of what makes Puget Sound a great place to live. Outdoor activities are especially plentiful given the area’s natural beauty and mild climate. Hiking in the Olympic or Cascade Mountains, kayaking on Lake Union, or cycling on one of many rails-to-trails paths are just a few of the options available. Seattle is viewed as a progressive and innovative city where
people are outgoing and friendly.
Application Process:
If you have questions regarding this announcement, please call Marissa Karras at 360-956-1336. The position will remain open until filled; however the
screening process will move quickly. The salary for this position is competitive and depends on experience and qualifications. Please submit
your application materials as soon as possible but no later than December 11th, 2015 to marissa@karrasconsulting.net.
The City of Seattle is an equal opportunity employer, values workplace diversity and seeks to create an environment and culture that embraces employee differences. All qualified applicants are considered in accordance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status or any other legally protected status. We will provide assistance in the recruitment, application and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance.