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Community Development Director Jobs in Milwaukee, WI

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Community Development Director information

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$46.3K

$127.5K

$209.9K

How much do community development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for community development director in Milwaukee, WI is $127,506.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,100.00 and $156,700.00 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 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 Milwaukee, WI?

The most popular types of Community Development jobs in Milwaukee, WI are:

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For Community Development Director jobs in Milwaukee, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Community Development Director jobs in Milwaukee, WI are:

What cities near Milwaukee, WI are hiring for Community Development Director jobs?

Cities near Milwaukee, WI with the most Community Development Director job openings:

Community Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Development Director job openings in Milwaukee, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,506 per year, or $61.3 per hour.

Associate Director, Community Organizing

Rocketship Public Schools

Milwaukee, WI • Hybrid

$90K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Position Description

At Rocketship, one of our key pillars is building authentic parent power in our community.   In our Parent Organizing Committees (POCs), parents advocate tirelessly for their children by becoming community leaders in education equity.  The position involves working with current parent leaders to develop their knowledge of governance, power, political dynamics, and systematic barriers affecting their families, especially for underserved communities. Simultaneously, the organizer will work to recruit and train new parents in community organizing skills, drawing them into the movement and increasing parent voice, involvement, and presence in the education political landscape of Milwaukee and Wisconsin as a whole. The Wisconsin Associate Director of Community Organizing is a full-time, exempt position on Rocketship Wisconsin Regional Leadership Team. The person selected for this position will collaborate with other Community Organizing leaders across the other Rocketship regions.

This role will report to the Rocketship Wisconsin Director of External Engagement, collaborate with fellow organizers nationally, and align and partner on the strategy set by the Executive Director. The role will also include partnering effectively with school leaders, families, community organizations, and stakeholders in advocacy for educational equity at our Rocketship Wisconsin schools. 

Essential Functions
  • Recruit, mobilize, and retain a network of parents and community stakeholders that build advocacy and engagement to transform our local communities.
  • Build the capacity of parents & families  to understand the state and local educational landscape, key decision makers, and power of community, through the PICO Organizing Cycle.
  • Complete one-on-one relational meetings every week (approximately 15-20) with current and future parent leaders and other important stakeholders that build organizing capacity and engagement.
  • Serve as a strategic partner in external affairs with the Executive Director, remain informed on the local education political landscape, and develop coordinated grasstops - grassroots strategies. 
  • Foster relationships and develop champions with community-based organizations, faith leaders, elected officials, and civic and community leaders that lead to elevating parent organizing. 
  • Lead parent-organizing campaigns for the growth and expansion of schools in WI, as well as parent-led civic and local campaigns for education equity.
  • Eventually, hire, train and support the development of a team of Education Organizers.
Minimum Qualifications
  • 3+ year experience in community organizing, education reform, or engagement in grassroots movements
  • This position requires daily travel between school sites and community locations where events and meetings with parents are held. Valid Driver's license and access to  vehicle required.
  • The ability to position Rocketship in the policy arena as an agent for positive change through strong communication and strategic skills 
  • Demonstrated ability to interact and cultivate support among diverse stakeholders
  • Experience using Google Apps and a willingness to learn and implement new technology 
  • A growth-mindset, self-directed, and goal-oriented professional approach to organizing work
  • A sense of urgency and passion for social justice and educational equity 
  • Ability to work some nights and weekends, as campaigns require; option for 1-2 days working from home for administrative purposes
  • A commitment to building strong, trust-based relationships through candid feedback, mutual respect, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and experiences
Preferred Qualifications
  • Verbal and written fluency in both Spanish and English,
  • Experience managing and/or leading community organizing campaigns and mobilizing support
  • Experience working with organizations or schools in a diverse community 
  • Familiar with local and/or state politics, education politics & movements
  • Strong public speaking, writing, and analytical skills
  • Capacity to think strategically and critically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting a community
  • Masters Degree, preferred but not required
$90,000 - $105,000 a year
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.
 
Compensation:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.
 

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools' employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy.  For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.

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