ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Community Development Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Facets

Director of Community Development

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

The Director of Community Development supervises two areas of work within FACETS, Opportunity Neighborhood (ON) and Education and Community Development (ECD). Both programs are primarily funded ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCommunity Development JobsCommunity Development Director Jobs

Community Development Director information

See salary details

$47K

$129.4K

$213K

How much do community development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for community development director in the United States is $129,416.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,500.00 and $159,000.00 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.

More about Community Development Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Community Development Director jobs? Cities with the most Community Development Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Community Development jobs? The most popular types of Community Development jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Community Development Director jobs? The top employers for Community Development Director jobs are:
What states have the most Community Development Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Community Development Director jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Community Development Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Community Development Director jobs are:
Community Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Development Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,416 per year, or $62.2 per hour.

Director of Community Development and Economic Development

Village of Morton Grove

Morton Grove, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Description:DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Village of Morton Grove is seeking a qualified and motivated individual to serve in the newly created role of Director of Community Development and Economic Development. This position serves under the direction of the Village Administrator and is appointed by the Village President with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees. The position is responsible for advancing the economic development projects of the community while overseeing the planning, zoning, building permits, and inspections for the Village. To learn more, please review the complete employment brochure here, Community Development Director Job Ad.

The Village of Morton Grove (5.1 square miles) is a diverse suburban community (pop. 25,297) that offers hometown charm and has been featured as one of the best places to live in Illinois. The Village is close to downtown Chicago, O’Hare Airport, Interstates 94 and 294 and is serviced by Metra trains and Pace buses. The Village has outstanding restaurants and shops and a balance of residential, retail, and commercial properties that provide diverse offerings to its residents. Almost 20% of the Village encompasses the Cook County Forest Preserve allowing residents to take advantage of many biking and hiking trails, golf courses, and parks. Morton Grove is described as an “Incredibly Close. Amazingly Open” community of neighbors that enjoys living in Morton Grove and care about each other.

The Village of Morton Grove is seeking an individual to serve in the newly created role of Director of Community Development and Economic Development to oversee the current functions of the Community Development and Building and Inspection Divisions. The Community Development Department includes five full-time staff members and contractual staff for health and building inspections. The Department serves as the liaison for several Commissions including the Economic Development Commission, Plan Commission / Zoning Board of Appeals, and Appearance Commission.

Requirements:

To address operational needs, the Village is creating the position of Director of Community Development and Economic Development to oversee current divisions of Community Development and Building and Inspection Services. The position directs, supervises, and coordinates the administration of Planning, Permitting, and Inspection Services. The position also serves as a Department Director is expected to coordinate with their fellow Department Directors to coordinate resources and projects efficiently and effectively. The position is responsible for drafting and administering the Budgets for the Department and the Village’s TIF Districts.

The responsibilities of the position include:

  • Provides technical support and/or guidance for development plans and projects, initiates and directs the conduct of special studies and projects in such areas as annexation, zoning, geographic and demographic base file development and analysis, market research, open space, expansion strategy, building, and inspections, etc.
  • Confers with public agencies, private organizations and individuals regarding projects and Village planning requirements; speaks before and develops planning interests of civic and citizen associations and interest groups.
    Acts as liaison to the Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals, Appearance Commission, and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and prepare associated materials in support of these public bodies.
    Oversees all building construction activities to ensure that building permits and occupancy permits are issued in accordance with the Village Code.
  • Create and develop brochures, flyers, web pages and/or related marketing and promotional materials which will help in promoting real estate and/or development within the Village in support of economic development.
  • Monitor and identify trends in the marketplace, to target general groups or types of businesses, or industries, which may be considering relocating in this area. Solicit individual businesses or industries to determine their interest in suitable sites within the community. Assist interested companies from initial contact for site selection purposes through project completion.
  • Develop and maintain a suitable inventory of available commercial and industrial sites and space within existing structures which will be shared on a regular basis with the commercial real estate and developer community; establish ties with existing commercial/office/industrial property owners and leasing agents to provide them with assistance and marketing support.
  • Administer existing and new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts when created to insure compliance with all statutory requirements and to maximize the potential success of the district’s mission.
  • Advises the Village Administrator and Board of Trustees on enforcement of building, life safety, environmental, and health codes.
  • Oversees all staff within Community Development and the Building and Inspections Departments to ensure routine and special assignments of the Village are completed.
  • Review and make recommendations regarding the use of other available statutory economic development tools such as the establishment of special taxing districts and business development districts under circumstances appropriate for the use of those redevelopment tools.
  • Coordinates all project reviews and short- and long-range planning with Village departments and other local, State and Federal agencies. Supervises various work project groups and collects the planning input of the various Village departments