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Planning Director Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Duke Health is seeking a Director, Strategic Planning to play a key leadership role in driving enterprise-wide strategic initiatives that support the health system's mission and long-term priorities.

You will work with Sales Planning Director, Sales Planning Associate Director, and cross functional teams to develop sufficient Multi-Year-Plans (MYP), build and deploy annual business plan, and ...

Posting Information Posting Number PG194761EP Internal Recruitment No Working Title Executive Director of Gift Planning Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with experience and education Work ...

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Planning Director information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$61.2K

$110.9K

$183.2K

How much do planning director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for planning director in Raleigh, NC is $110,915.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,600.00 and $128,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a planning director do?

A Planning Director oversees the development and implementation of plans and policies related to land use, urban development, and community growth. They manage planning departments, coordinate with government officials, developers, and the public, and guide comprehensive planning efforts. Additionally, they ensure that development projects comply with zoning laws and environmental regulations, and often lead public meetings to gather community input. Their role is essential in shaping the way cities and communities evolve over time.

How does a planning director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Planning Director, you will work closely with departments such as design, engineering, marketing, and finance to ensure projects align with both strategic goals and operational constraints. Regular meetings, clear communication, and strong leadership are essential, as you will often mediate between competing priorities and facilitate consensus. Building strong relationships and understanding each team's needs allows you to create realistic timelines and allocate resources effectively, which is critical for delivering successful outcomes. This collaborative environment also offers opportunities to mentor team members and influence organizational strategy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a planning director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Planning Director, you need extensive experience in urban or regional planning, a relevant degree (such as urban planning or public administration), and often AICP certification. Proficiency with GIS software, data analysis tools, and project management systems is typically required. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and strategic communication skills help you manage teams and engage diverse stakeholders effectively. These competencies are crucial to successfully guide complex planning initiatives and ensure sustainable, community-focused development.

What is the difference between Planning Director vs Urban Planner?

AspectPlanning DirectorUrban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Urban Planning, Geography, or related field; often with leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Urban Planning, Geography, or related field; entry to mid-level roles
Work EnvironmentSenior management in government agencies, consulting firms, or large organizations overseeing planning projectsPublic agencies, private firms, or non-profits involved in community development and land use
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in government, consulting, and large organizations for strategic planning leadershipCommon in municipal, regional, and private sector planning projects

The Planning Director typically holds a leadership role overseeing planning initiatives and teams, requiring extensive experience and advanced credentials. Urban Planners focus on developing and analyzing land use plans, often at a more operational level. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, the Planning Director's role is more strategic and managerial.

What are the most commonly searched types of Planning jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Planning jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Planning Director jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Planning Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Planning Director job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,915 per year, or $53.3 per hour.

Director, Strategic Planning

Duke University

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Duke University rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 55 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

486th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Duke Health is seeking a Director, Strategic Planning to play a key leadership role in driving enterprise-wide strategic initiatives that support the health system's mission and long-term priorities. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Strategic Planning, this position serves as a strategic partner responsible for leading planning efforts, overseeing project management activities, managing implementation of the Clinical Enterprise Strategic Plan, developing strategic insights for leaders, and advancing departmental innovation and process improvement.

The Director will collaborate with senior leaders across Duke Health to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, establish performance tracking and governance structures, monitor progress of key initiatives, and identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness. This role also leads department-specific strategic communications, develops executive-level insights on healthcare industry trends, and drives continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen the department's impact across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution

  • Lead implementation and ongoing management of the Clinical Enterprise Strategic Plan.
  • Establish and oversee performance tracking, reporting, and governance processes for strategic initiatives.
  • Develop scalable frameworks to support consistent execution of strategic priorities across service lines and entities.
  • Partner with senior leaders to communicate strategic priorities and organizational progress.
  • Facilitate strategic assessments, planning activities, and enterprise-wide initiatives.

Strategic Insights & Executive Communication

  • Develop and disseminate strategic intelligence, market analysis, and healthcare industry insights for executive leadership.
  • Create executive presentations, publications, and communications that support informed decision-making and strategic alignment.

Project Management & Operational Excellence

  • Coordinate departmental project portfolios, integrated timelines, prioritization frameworks, and governance processes.
  • Monitor project progress, identify risks and barriers, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Drive process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and team performance.

Leadership & Team Development

  • Provide leadership and oversight for department staff, including managers and interns.
  • Oversee the department's summer internship program, including recruitment, mentorship, and program administration.
  • Foster professional development opportunities focused on strategic thinking, industry knowledge, and innovation.

Institutional Support

  • Support executive leadership with special strategic initiatives and high-priority organizational projects.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications

Education

  • Work requires a Master's Degree in Business Administration, Health Care Administration or related field.

Experience

  • Work requires five years (preferred 7 years) of progressive responsibility in such areas as hospital administration, provider strategic planning, business and operations planning, with proven success in facilitation of strategic processes, business plan development and execution, and strategic analyses. (or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience)
  • Supervisory and/or leadership experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Extensive knowledge of health care planning databases. Knowledge of Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint software. Knowledge of and experience in project management is preferred.
  • Must be able to achieve results in a large, complex organization. Highly developed verbal, written, and analytical skills are necessary. Strong interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to facilitate meetings, and foster trust. Ability to present complex information to all levels of the organization. Must be able to manage multiple projects and processes simultaneously. Self-motivation and the ability to perform with minimal supervision.
  • Must be able to travel within the market area as needed.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.


Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.


Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.



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About Duke University

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Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools and hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Durham, NC, US