As a senior leader in our City’s executive team, the Community Development Director will have the opportunity to shape the future of our community, drive innovative initiatives, and make a lasting impact on the lives of our residents. This role blends strategic vision with hands-on leadership, allowing this individual to work closely with elected officials, department heads, and community partners to turn big ideas into meaningful results.
The Position
Key Responsibilities
- Manage Growth & Development Initiatives – Lead planning and development efforts to support community growth, infrastructure expansion, annexation activities, and the delivery of municipal services.
- Advanced Economic Development Strategies – Support and implement initiatives that attract investment, strengthen the local tax base, encourage business growth, and enhance the City's competitive position as a regional economic hub.
- Preserve Community Character – Balance growth and development objectives while maintaining the unique small-town atmosphere and quality of life valued by residents.
- Foster Strong Community and Development Relationships – Build collaborative partnerships with residents, developers, business owners, and stakeholders through responsive customer service, effective communication, and problem-solving.
- Provide Departmental Leadership and Organizational Development – Lead, mentor, and develop staff while promoting operational excellence, innovation, accountability, and high-performance standards.
- Regulatory Compliance – Ensure adherence to all local, state, and federal laws, as well as City ordinances and directives.
- All-Hands Contribution – Step in where needed to support the City’s mission and priorities.
Opportunities
First 12-Month Goals
- Assess departmental operations and identify process improvements/efficiencies.
- Implement proactive communication strategies to improve engagement with residents, developers, and business partners.
- Evaluate current/future development needs.
- Establish a roadmap to support and provide for effective strategies for sustainable growth, redevelopment, and annexation objectives.
The Ideal Candidate
The City of Tomball is seeking a Community Development Director with a forward thinking approach, effective leadership and reflects our core values of Professionalism, Integrity and Respect. The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to implement principals of change management and exhibit an open management style with organizational leaders, all stakeholders and staff.
- Experience serving as a partner on an executive team. • Understands local government structures, functions, and legislation.
- Familiarity with city legal guidelines, regulatory measures, and relevant operational standards.
- Critical decision-making, including the ability to process relevant information, committing to a definitive course of action.
- Success at coalition building among staff and citizens to minimize perceived barriers.
- Adept at identifying key community players, techniques for public communication, and understanding cultural nuances.
- Ability to maintain positive productive relationships with the City Council, general public, the commercial community and development interests, balancing each respective needs with the best interest of the community.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Engineering or a related field from an accredited higher education institution or ten (10) years or more of experience in a related field may be considered in lieu of educational requirements.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory responsibilities , preferably in municipal government.
- Preference will be shown to:--Proven Engineers (Engineering degree from an accredited college/university, a Texas P.E. and 5 years of directly related public Works or development experience in Texas) or--Urban Planners (Planning degree from an accredited college/university, an A.I.C.P. and 5 years of directly related Texas experience in Development Services with a knowledge of Public Works).
Compensation and Benefits
The City of Tomball offers an annual salary range of $116,480 to $145,600 based on qualifications and experience, with a very competitive benefits package that includes:
- TMRS at 7% with 2-to-1 match by City upon retirement
- Medical insurance, with HSA City contribution for family up to $3,300 per year
- Dental and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Cell Phone and Vehicle Allowance Paid vacation
- Sick leave and 11 holidays
Application Process
Applications must be completed via the City of Tomball at: https://tomballtx.gov/164/Job-Opportunities
The position is open until filled. The first review of applications will occur in June 2026 so highly qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early. For additional information on this position or questions regarding the application process, contact: Kristie Lewis, HR Director klewis (281) 290-1012
Director of Community Development -06282026
