Deputy Director of Community Planning and Development Services

Deputy Director of Community Planning and Development Services

Salary

$150,000.00 - $190,000.00 Annually

Location

City Hall -111 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850, MD

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202500106

Department

Department of Community Planning and Development Services

Division

Administration and Support

Opening Date

06/08/2026

• Description
• Benefits

Job Summary

The Opportunity

The City of Rockville is seeking a dynamic and collaborative leader to serve as Deputy Director of Community Planning & Development Services.

This is a pivotal executive role responsible for helping lead a high-impact department that shapes the city's growth, development, and quality of life. Working closely with the Director, the Deputy Director provides strategic leadership across long range planning, zoning, development review, permitting, and code enforcement.

The ideal candidate is a strong organizational leader who can connect big-picture policy goals with effective day-to-day operations and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

The selected candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Shape how development review and permitting services are delivered
• Support a variety of ongoing planning initiatives including comprehensive planning, neighborhood planning, transit-oriented development and annexation
• Support implementation of the newly adopted Zoning Ordinance
• Coordinate with partner departments to advance the housing, economic development, sustainability, and public engagement goals of the city
• Improve customer experience
• Lead a talented, multidisciplinary team

About the Community

Rockville, population 67,000, is Maryland's fourth largest city, comprising 13.5 square miles. It is located 10 miles northwest of the nation's capital along the I-270 corridor. Rockville has been consistently rated among the best places to live in America. The city serves as the County seat of Montgomery County and is regarded as one of America's leading small cities for work, for play and for life.

Rockville is a diverse and business-friendly hub in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, focused on redevelopment and infill on its limited vacant land. The city has excellent access to the region with robust bus service and two WMATA Metro stations within the city limits.

Key planning challenges for the city include transforming the Town Center into a walkable, transit-oriented district, developing mixed-use and high-density areas along transportation corridors like Rockville Pike, and preserving existing neighborhood character. The city prioritizes a sustainable quality of life through its Comprehensive Plan, which guides land use, transportation, and housing goals to foster economic growth and community well-being.

Essential Job Functions

Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the Director to set departmental vision, priorities, and performance expectations
• Translate policy direction into actionable programs and measurable outcomes
• Serve as Acting Director as needed

Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee and coordinate operations across planning, zoning, permitting, and code enforcement
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and customer service
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to modernize service delivery, including process and technology improvements

Organizational Leadership

• Provide direction and support to division chiefs and supervisors
• Support the development of a strong, collaborative team culture focused on accountability and results
• Support staff development, performance management, and succession planning

Policy & Program Implementation

• Support the development and implementation of policies, regulations, and procedures
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements
• Lead or support high-priority and complex projects, including interdepartmental initiatives

Budget & Performance Management

• Assist in developing and managing the department's budget
• Monitor performance metrics and use data to inform decisions and improve outcomes

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the department with elected officials, boards and commissions, community groups, and the development community
• Communicate complex planning and regulatory issues clearly and effectively
• Help build trust through transparency, responsiveness, and problem-solving

Qualifications

Leadership Experience

• Significant leadership experience in planning, development services, or a related field
• Demonstrated success managing complex organizations or programs
• Experience working in or with local government preferred

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (master's degree is preferred) in urban planning, public administration or closely related field from an accredited university or college plus at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible work in community planning, zoning or development review/permitting services, including four (4) years of supervisory experience.

Desired Credentials

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic thinker with strong operational instincts
• Skilled at leading teams and managing change
• Experience in managing complex projects
• Knowledge of economics and common practices of land development and land use law
• Knowledge of long-range planning, zoning, historic preservation, permitting, and other development practices
• Strong communicator able to work effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Solutions-oriented with sound judgment and political awareness
• Comfortable navigating complex regulatory and organizational environments
• Strong interpersonal skills

Summary of Employee Benefits

The City of Rockville offers a wide range of health and wellness benefits to full-time, regular employees. Part-time, regular employees working more than 20 hours per week may be eligible for benefits on a pro-rated basis. Benefits are not available to temporary employees.

HEALTH BENEFITS Medical Insurance Participation is available in one of several types of health plans. The city contributes toward each plan. Participation is optional. Employees may elect to participate in plans offered through Aetna or Kaiser Permanente. Benefit coverage is available beginning on date of hire.

Dental Insurance Employees may enroll in the Citys dental program offered through Guardian Dental. The city contributes a portion of the cost of each employees dental coverage. If dental coverage is waived, the Citys contribution is reallocated toward the employees health plan cost. Start date of coverage is the first of the month following date of hire. Vision The city offers a vision plan with VSP. The city contributes a portion of the cost of each employees vision coverage. Start date of coverage is the first of the month following date of hire.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE

The City provides life insurance equal to one and one-half times an employees base salary. There is no cost to the employee for this benefit. Employees have the option of purchasing additional supplemental life insurance coverage for self, spouse and dependent child(ren). RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN Participation in the City of Rockville's retirement plan is mandatory. There are two parts to the retirement plan: 1) the Pension Plan and 2) the Thrift Plan. The City of Rockville Pension Plan (all employees) is a defined benefit plan that provides the participant with a specific monthly benefit at retirement. Monthly benefits are calculated based on a participant's salary and length of credited service. Employees are fully vested in the pension plan after 10 years of credited service and are always 100% vested in the amounts they contribute. The City of Rockville Thrift Plan (administrative and union employees only) is a defined contribution plan subject to the IRS code 401(a). Employees make pre-tax contributions and investment decisions. No specific amount of money is guaranteed at retirement. The benefits available are based on the amount contributed and are also affected by income, expenses, gains and losses. Deferred Compensation/457(b) Plan - The 457(b) plan, administered by Lincoln Financial, is an optional retirement plan. Contributions to this plan are made entirely by the employee. Both pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) options are available.

LEGAL RESOURCES

Through Legal Resources, participating employees and their eligible family members can get free advice, consultation, and courtroom representation for common legal services.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The City provides free, confidential counseling, assessment, and referral services to help employees deal with personal matters. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available for family members who are eligible health insurance plan dependents.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY PROGRAM

The Citys Income Protection Plan provides long-term disability benefits for both on and off the job injuries or illnesses. Coverage for off the job injuries or illnesses is provided after one year of employment with the city.