Date of Posting: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Job Title: Principal Planning Director
Department: Planning
Appointing Authority: Mayor Jared C. Nicholson
Salary
$130,598-$150,021, plus benefits
OVERVIEW:
This position is responsible for planning, directing, managing, and overseeing municipal long-range planning activities and related programs that support the City’s strategic goals and community vision. The position coordinates closely with multiple City departments to carry out implementation of the planning and policy documents.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• Manages Planning Department staff and directs departmental operations to maintain efficient and effective implementation of planning initiatives and city priorities.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and periodic updating of the City's Comprehensive Plan, including public engagement, data analysis, goal setting, recommendations, and implementation strategies.
• Manages long-range planning initiatives and topic-specific planning efforts related to housing, transportation, open space, environmental sustainability, economic development, arts & culture, infrastructure, and neighborhood planning.
• Develops and administers land use regulations, zoning ordinances, and policy amendments to support adopted planning goals and community objectives.
• Certifies planning initiatives, planning documents, policies, and land use regulations are aligned with state, federal, and regional requirements.
• Provides professional planning support and project oversight for urban renewal and redevelopment initiatives to support urban development objectives in collaboration with municipal leadership and partner organizations.
• Provides advice and professional support relative to development project proposals and entitlements to related boards and commissions such as the Planning Board, zoning Board of Appeals, and the City Council.
• Leads grant research, grant writing, funding acquisition, and implementation activities supporting planning, infrastructure, transportation, housing, and community development projects.
• Oversees housing policy initiatives and administers implementation and ongoing evaluation of inclusionary housing programs, Lynn Affordable Housing Trust, affordable housing efforts, and related reporting requirements.
• Coordinates with municipal departments and external partners to establish priorities, advance projects, and support implementation of strategic planning objectives.
• Develops departmental work plans, establishes project priorities, and monitors progress toward organizational objectives.
• Oversees the preparation and administration of departmental budgets, consultant contracts, and procurement activities supporting planning initiatives.
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with business owners, managers, property owners, and local Chamber of Commerce to support business retention, attraction, and expansion within the city.
• Meets with developers, contractors, and members of the public to discuss planning, zoning, and development matters and interprets applicable ordinances and regulations.
• Able to serve as the City’s lead on all efforts related to transportation and infrastructure planning.
• Performs other related job duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
The employee works from policies and objectives, establishes short-range plans and objectives, develops performance standards, and assumes direct accountability for results of a major municipal department. The supervisor is consulted only if an exception to policy is required or requested. Control is exercised in the development of policies, goals, and budgets and is expected to resolve conflicts and other matters that arise.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
As a regular and continuing part of the job, the employee is accountable for the direction and success of staff they manage; analyzes program objectives, determines the various work operations needed to achieve them. Responsible for creating budgets; recommending operational and staff resources; and allocating available funds and staff. Formulates and recommends program goals and develops plans for achieving short and long-range objectives, determines operating guidelines, work operations, and procedures. Responsible for staff performance, evaluation, and discipline.
JUDGMENT AND COMPLEXITY:
The work involves serving as a recognized authority in interpreting and applying guidelines such as executive, administrative, or organizational policies, general principles, regulations, legislation, and directives that pertain to specific functional areas. The employee develops procedures and processes to implement policies, guidelines, and requirements.
NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:
Serves as the functional area authority, contacts are with co-workers, the public, representatives of organizations, and groups and involve interactions with those who may have conflicting opinions or objectives, diverse points of view, or differences where achieving compromise is required to secure support, concurrence, or compliance.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
The employee has regular access to a wide variety of confidential records and information at the department level requiring discretion in interactions, attention to detail in handling information and records, and responsibility for following security protocols.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, or related field plus 3 to 5 years of experience in the planning profession; or any equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and experience.
Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Political Science or other related fields, and at least three years of supervisory experience.
PREFERRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
• AICP preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of urban and regional planning; municipal land use regulations and zoning practices; planning processes; housing and economic development strategies; transportation, environmental, and infrastructure planning; project management principles; and demographic and economic analysis.
• Effective leadership, project management, organizational, grant writing, budget management, and technical skills.
• Ability to establish priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously; prepare and present recommendations to a diverse group of stakeholders, and maintain relationships with public officials, staff members, and the community.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate in oral and written form. Ability to read and interpret plans, maps, laws, specifications, codes, bylaws, and regulations. • Ability to prepare reports and recommendations applicable to community planning and economic development. Ability to speak in public in from of audiences of all sizes. Create maps and conduct analysis using Geographic Information System (GIS). Ability to multitask, be flexible, supervise a diverse group of staff, change task direction midstream. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, elected and appointed officials, community groups, and the general public.
• Ability to lead with a commitment to equity and inclusion, actively fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, certifies fair access and opportunity into decision-making, team management, and service delivery.
PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Work is performed primarily indoors and may include traveling to other locations.
• Work involves sitting or standing to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and stretching. Work may also require moving and relocating objects such as files, boxes of paper, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Motor skills require moving objects, filing, and sorting documents, and using office equipment such as hand-held technology, telephones, and computers.
• Routinely reads documents for general understanding and analytical purposes, including handwriting, spreadsheets, and forms; inspects surroundings and fine details to assess conditions of materials and equipment; and reviews detailed information displayed on a computer screen.
How To Apply
A completed application, with resume, cover letter, and other supporting materials, can be submitted via:
- Email ([email protected])
- Regular Post
- In-Person at the Personnel Department, Room 307 in Lynn City Hall
If submitting via e-mail, please include the “JOB TITLE” in the subject line. A review of applications will begin the week of August 30th. Those applicants who submit on or before Monday, August 31st will receive priority consideration.
Job Title: "Principal Planning Director"
Closing Date: Application review will begin the week of August 30th and continue until the position is filled.
* When applicants are substantially similar in terms of qualifications, preference will be given to candidates who have resided in the City of Lynn for a continuous twelve-month period prior to the date of posting.
The City of Lynn is an Equal Opportunity Employer!
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If you have any questions about the application process or need assistance, please call (781) 598-4000 or email us at [email protected].