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Community Development Director Jobs in Bloomington, IL

Villas of Holly Brook

Executive Director

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$85K - $105K/yr

We create vibrant communities where older adults can thrive and participate, know that their ... Coaching/mentoring/development * Complex resident relationships-persuasive, diplomatic, manage ...

LifeStance Health

Clinical Director

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

At LifeStance Health, we strive to help individuals, families, and communities with their mental ... Collaborates with operations leaders to enhance clinician professional growth development.

Sugar Creek

Maintenance Director

Normal, IL · On-site

$26/hr

Career Development * An employee engaged Scheduling system * Employee Appreciation events ... As a Sinceri Senior Living company, we are a fun loving, employee-centric community like no other!

Villas-of-Holly-Broo

Executive Director

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$85 - $105/hr

We create vibrant communities where older adults can thrive and participate, know that their ... Coaching/mentoring/development * Complex resident relationships-persuasive, diplomatic, manage ...

Bickford Senior Living

Executive Director

Farmer City, IL · On-site

$67K - $80K/yr

Occasional mandatory travel required for training and development purposes. * Responsible for all ... Bickford Senior Living is a community of caregivers who are dedicated to doing whatever it takes to ...

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All JobsCommunity Development JobsCommunity Development Director JobsCommunity Development Director Jobs in Bloomington, IL

Community Development Director information

See Bloomington, IL salary details

$45.1K

$124.1K

$204.3K

How much do community development director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for community development director in Bloomington, IL is $124,140.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,600.00 and $152,500.00 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 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 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 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.

More about Community Development Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Community Development jobs in Bloomington, IL?

The most popular types of Community Development jobs in Bloomington, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Community Development Director jobs in Bloomington, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Community Development Director jobs in Bloomington, IL are:

What cities near Bloomington, IL are hiring for Community Development Director jobs?

Cities near Bloomington, IL with the most Community Development Director job openings:

Community Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Development Director job openings in Bloomington, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,140 per year, or $59.7 per hour.

Destination Development Director

Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Bloomington, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Summary
The Destination Development Director is responsible for leading VisitBN's efforts to strengthen the Bloomington-Normal area as a premier visitor destination by developing strategic partnerships, enhancing visitor experiences, supporting destination assets, enhancing group sales, and advancing tourism initiatives throughout McLean County.
This position serves as VisitBN's primary liaison to the local tourism industry and works collaboratively with hotels, attractions, municipalities, event organizers, educational institutions, businesses, and community organizations to improve destination readiness, foster industry collaboration, and implement initiatives identified in VisitBN's Strategic Plan.
The Destination Development Director provides leadership in destination stewardship, tourism development, meetings/conferences, leisure, international, and sports tourism, hospitality initiatives, and industry engagement. This role ensures VisitBN is recognized as the trusted convener and leader of Bloomington-Normal's visitor economy.
Qualifications Required
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in destination marketing, tourism, hospitality, economic development, community development, event management, marketing, sales, or related field.
  • Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships among public, private, and nonprofit organizations.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to facilitate meetings, build consensus, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  • Ability to analyze trends and translate data into strategic recommendations.

Qualifications Preferred
  • Experience with sports tourism, meetings, conferences, or event recruitment.
  • Grant administration experience.
  • Familiarity with visitor analytics platforms such as Zartico or similar systems.
  • Familiarity with customer relationship management systems such as Salesforce.
  • Supervisory experience.

Essential Position Functions - Tourism Development
  • Develop and execute strategies to attract meetings, sporting events, group travel, and other targeted visitor markets in collaboration with VisitBN's marketing team.
  • Recruit, develop, and attend client familiarization tours to include consulting with and accompanying clients on site inspections showcasing facilities and area benefits.
  • Generate, maintain and leverage key domestic and international relationships with partners such as tour operators, receptive tour operators, wholesalers, planners, and other key partners to showcase VisitBN's viability in the international, leisure, and meeting market segments.
  • Manage the development and coordination of sales leads, events for key markets and retain existing meetings, conventions, tours, and events in the Bloomington-Normal area.
  • Oversee vendors on bids, contracts, timelines, and execution of projects.
  • Identify emerging tourism opportunities that align with VisitBN's strategic priorities.

Essential Position Functions - Destination Development
  • Lead implementation of destination development initiatives identified in VisitBN's Strategic Plan.
  • Identify opportunities to improve Bloomington-Normal's visitor experience through destination enhancements, tourism infrastructure, placemaking, and hospitality initiatives.
  • Collaborate with municipalities, attractions, arts organizations, educational institutions, and community partners on destination improvement projects.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage arts, culture, recreation, and area assets to increase visitation.
  • Oversee destination assessments to make recommendations that enhance visitor satisfaction.

Essential Position Functions - Industry Relations and Partnership Development
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive partner engagement strategy.
  • Convene quarterly tourism industry meetings and an annual tourism event.
  • Coordinate hospitality education and visitor readiness programs.
  • Develop recognition programs that celebrate outstanding hospitality and visitor service.
  • Represent VisitBN on community committees and regional tourism initiatives.

Essential Position Functions - Research & Industry Intelligence
  • Utilize research and visitor data to identify destination opportunities and industry trends.
  • Oversee stakeholder engagement and partner sentiment research.
  • Prepare reports demonstrating VisitBN's economic impact, partnership success, and destination development progress.
  • Support organizational planning through research and data analysis.

Essential Position Functions - Leadership
  • Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Director to ensure destination development initiatives are effectively communicated and promoted.
  • Participate in organizational strategic planning, budgeting, and annual work planning.
  • Develop departmental goals, work plans, and performance metrics.
  • Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented culture within VisitBN.
  • Mentor and develop assigned staff.

Essential Position Functions - General
  • Represent VisitBN professionally at events, conferences, and industry meetings.
  • Maintain productive working relationships with staff, board members, elected officials, tourism partners, and community stakeholders.
  • Stay informed on emerging tourism trends and best practices.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to advance VisitBN's mission.

Psychological Considerations
  • Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders.
  • Must be able to facilitate productive conversations among organizations with varying priorities.
  • Must demonstrate sound judgment, diplomacy, and professionalism.
  • Must be able to prioritize multiple long-term projects while responding to immediate organizational needs.

Physiological Considerations
  • Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
  • Must be able to travel throughout McLean County and occasionally statewide or nationally.
  • Must be able to lift promotional materials and event equipment up to 50 pounds.

Environmental Considerations
  • Ability to work in office, meeting, event, and outdoor environments in varying weather conditions.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license.
  • Must have reliable transportation.
  • Must comply with all VisitBN safety policies and procedures.

Apply