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Community Development Director Jobs in Minnesota

Because NEON is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners ... The Director of Development is expected to be devoted to the best-in-class fundraising, development ...

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Community Development Director information

See Minnesota salary details

$46K

$126.8K

$208.6K

How much do community development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for community development director in Minnesota is $126,751.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,600.00 and $155,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Community Development Director do?

A Community Development Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing programs and initiatives that promote the growth and improvement of a community. This role often involves working with local government, businesses, and residents to develop policies related to housing, land use, economic development, and public services. The director manages staff, secures funding, and ensures that projects align with the community’s goals and regulations. Their work helps create vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities.

What is the difference between Community Development Director vs Urban Planner?

AspectCommunity Development DirectorUrban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or related field; often requires experience in community developmentBachelor's or master's degree in urban planning, geography, or related field; certification like AICP is common
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, non-profits, community organizationsMunicipal planning departments, consulting firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLocal governments, non-profits, development agenciesCity planning departments, private consulting firms, government agencies

The Community Development Director focuses on overseeing community growth, housing, and economic development initiatives, often managing teams and programs. Urban Planners primarily analyze land use, develop zoning policies, and create urban designs. While both roles require planning expertise and work within government or related sectors, the Community Development Director has a broader leadership role in community projects, whereas Urban Planners focus more on land use and spatial planning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Community Development Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Community Development Director, you need strong expertise in urban planning, project management, and a relevant degree such as public administration or urban studies. Familiarity with land use regulations, GIS systems, and grant management software is typically required. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills set top candidates apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for effectively guiding community initiatives, securing funding, and balancing the needs of diverse populations.

What are some common challenges a Community Development Director faces when balancing the needs of various stakeholders?

A Community Development Director often navigates competing interests from local government, residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Balancing these diverse perspectives requires strong communication, negotiation, and consensus-building skills. Directors must ensure that development projects align with community goals while adhering to regulatory requirements and budget constraints. Proactively engaging stakeholders through public meetings and transparent processes helps address concerns and fosters collaboration, though it can be time-consuming and complex.

What Does a Community Development Director Do?

A community development director manages and directs planning and management initiatives for a city organization or community, such as an elderly residential community. As a community development director, your job duties include working closely with community partners, such as businesses, community organizations, and the public, to develop strategies for improving economic, architectural, and community initiatives while preserving neighborhood or community cohesion. You also monitor programs and budgets for department initiatives. Qualifications for this career include a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, education, or public administration as well as several years of experience in public policy and planning and communication and leadership skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Community Development jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Community Development jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Community Development Director jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Community Development Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Community Development Director job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,751 per year, or $60.9 per hour.

Community Development Manager

City of Northfield (MN)

Northfield, MN

$105K - $118K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION Community Development Manager Position Profile Under the direction of the Community Development Director, the Community Development Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating the City's economic, housing, and general community development initiatives. This position leads programs and strategies that support business retention, expansion, and attraction; oversees the City's Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) programs; administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) funding; and advances housing initiatives that increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income households. The position works collaboratively with businesses, developers, community organizations, public agencies, and diverse community members to promote sustainable economic growth, expand the tax base, preserve and increase affordable housing, and support the City's long-term community development goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Economic Development Oversees Economic Development Authority (EDA) activities, including administration of economic development programs and initiatives, preparing agendas, reports, resolutions, contracts, presentations, and meeting materials. Serves as the primary point of contact for business opportunities and provides information to prospective businesses regarding available commercial, industrial, and redevelopment sites, buildings, and land; City economic assistance programs, zoning regulations, taxes, and other economic assistance information as requested. Creates, implements, evaluates, and manages local economic assistance programs for business stabilization, retention, growth, and recruitment.

Collaborates and coordinates with other private and public economic programs for businesses in the City. Develop marketing materials that promote development opportunities and economic development programs. Administers the City's economic development financing programs, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, tax abatements, revolving loan funds, and other financial incentive programs in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

Reviews, analyzes, and monitors economic trends, demographic data, market conditions, development activity, and community indicators to identify opportunities and make recommendations that support informed policy and program decisions. Development/Redevelopment Supports and advances the development process for City-owned properties related to both housing and commercial developments under the direction of the Community Development Director. Leads and coordinates commercial, industrial, mixed-use, affordable housing, and redevelopment projects for private developers from initial inquiry through project completion by working collaboratively with developers, property owners, consultants, utility providers, and City departments.

Participates in the negotiation, preparation, and administration of development agreements, redevelopment agreements, purchase agreements, and other contracts related to economic, housing, and community development projects. Housing Oversees Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) activities, including administration and coordination of housing and redevelopment programs and initiatives, preparing agendas, reports, resolutions, contracts, presentations, and meeting materials. Manages the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF), including annual funding allocations, environmental review requirements, compliance monitoring, reporting, and coordination with funding agencies.

Evaluates housing development proposals, redevelopment opportunities, and incentive requests to ensure consistency with City plans, financial objectives, zoning regulations, and community development goals. Creates, implements, evaluates, and manages local housing assistance programs that support equitable access to homeownership, affordable housing preservation, and the creation of new affordable housing. Collaborates and coordinates with other private and public housing assistance programs and partners to support housing needs in the Northfield area.

Reviews, analyzes, and monitors housing trends, demographic data, market conditions, development activity, and community indicators to identify opportunities and make recommendations that support informed policy and program decisions. General Assists the Community Development Director in establishing departmental goals, budgets, priorities, work plans, policies, contracts, and performance measures to advance the City's strategic objectives. Supports broad communication related to the state of the economy, the state of housing, and the state of other community development initiatives.

Identifies grant opportunities and prepares, administers, and monitors grant applications, agreements, budgets, compliance requirements, and reporting related to economic development, housing, redevelopment, infrastructure, and community development projects. Identifies and cultivates partnerships with businesses, developers, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to advance economic development and housing initiatives. Leads community engagement efforts to ensure policies and programs are grounded in input from community members with an explicit priority on equity.

Provides excellent customer service to all members of our community, inclusive of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, ages, national or ethnic origins, languages, citizenship status, socioeconomic status, and political affiliations. Supervises assigned staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, assigning work priorities, conducting performance evaluations, addressing performance concerns, recognizing employee achievements, and making recommendations regarding personnel actions in accordance with City policies. Advocates for business and development interests within City government while balancing community priorities, regulatory requirements, and long-term planning objectives.

Collaborate with internal departments to coordinate efforts, priorities, and workflow Conducts research, prepares technical analyses, develops reports, and manages special projects related to economic development, redevelopment, housing, land use, and community development as assigned. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned. MINIMUM TRAINING / MINIMUM & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field, and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in economic development, real estate development, housing development, or a closely related field.

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master's degree in Business, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field Seven (7) or more years of experience in economic development, real estate development (commercial or housing), housing development, or a closely related field, with experience in affordable housing development preferred. National Development Council Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification International Economic Development Council Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) Certification Working knowledge of the principles and practices of community development, housing development, economic development, redevelopment, and public finance.

Three (3) or more years of supervisory experience. HOURS OF WORK Normal business/office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m

to 12 p.m., Friday, with some evenings required to attend board meetings. Position will require flexibility in future scheduling to include any hours at the employers' discretion for appropriate coverage and efficiency. Evening and weekend meetings as necessary

Timely reporting to work with a minimum number of absences. Eligible for a flexible work schedule following probationary period. Data Practices Advisory The information requested on the application is necessary, either to identify you or to assist in determining your suitability for the position for which you are applying.

You may legally refuse, but refusal to supply the requested information will mean that your application for employment may not be considered. Information requested on your application that is defined by State Statute as public may be released on request and includes job history, education and training, rank on our eligibility list, relevant test scores, veteran's status, and work availability. Your name is private except when you are certified as eligible for appointment to a vacancy or selected as a finalist for the position.

Certain other information requested on your application is private and may be released only to you or to governmental entities authorized access by law (MS 13.02, Subd. 12). Private data contained above: NAME: Used to identify you in relation to other applicants

LOCAL/PERMANENT ADDRESS/HOME TELEPHONE: Used to contact you regarding your application's status. You are not legally required to provide this information. Failure to provide this information may result in a delay in processing or notifying you of your application's status.

LICENSE INFORMATION: Used to certify applicants for position where State law requires appropriate license. You are legally required to provide this information. Failure to provide this information may result in your rejection as an applicant for these positions.

AGE RANGE: Used to accurately certify applicants for certain types of work according to State law. You are legally required to provide this information. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection of your application.

CITIZENSHIP STATUS: Used to certify applicants for work in the United States as determined by laws of the United States Department of Labor and the State of Minnesota. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection of your application. EMPLOYMENT: If you are selected for employment with the City, the following additional information about you will be public: your name; actual gross salary and salary range; contract fees; actual gross pension; the value and nature of your fringe benefits; the basis for and the amount of any added remuneration, such as expenses or mileage reimbursement, in addition to your salary; your job title; job description; the dates of your first and last employment with the City; the status of any complaints or charges against you while at work; the final outcome of any disciplinary action taken against you, specific reasons for it, and all supporting documentation about your case; terms of any agreement settling administrative or judicial proceedings; your work location and work telephone number; your badge number, if any; honors/awards received; and payroll time sheets.

Information not listed as public, which is maintained as part of your personnel record, is private, and will not be shared with anyone but those members of our staff and appointing authorities whose work assignment requires access, those persons authorized by law to have access, and those persons to whom you have given your informed written consent. Examples, but not an exclusive listing, of those authorized by law to have access to personnel data include labor organizations to the extent they need it in the conduct of normal business as your representative, insurance providers, City contractors whose contracts require access (e.g., the City Attorney or insurance claims adjuster), Public Employees Retirement Association, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, State Department of Employment and Security and any other entity authorized by law. Personnel data will be disclosed as required by a court order or for the purposes of wage attachments, and as may be required by any State or Federal law subsequently enacted

For further information refer to MN Statutes Ch. 13.