Planning Manager

Community Development Department | Town of Vail, Colorado
Full-Time, Exempt (Salaried)
Grade 55 | Hiring Range: $113,506 – $170,259 annually
Midpoint: $141,882.50

The Town of Vail is seeking an experienced planning professional and proven leader to serve as our next Planning Manager. This is a unique opportunity to help shape one of the nation's premier mountain communities while leading a talented team of planners responsible for current planning, long-range planning, development review, policy development, and community-focused initiatives.

Position Overview

As the Planning Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Town's Planning Division within the Community Development Department. Reporting directly to the Director of Community Development, this position oversees a team of professional planners and plays a key role in guiding development, land use policy, urban design, and community planning efforts throughout the Town of Vail.

This position serves as a trusted advisor to applicants, property owners, architects, developers, elected officials, and appointed boards, helping navigate complex planning and development issues while preserving the qualities that make Vail a world-class mountain resort community.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the Town's Planning Team, including supervision, coaching, performance management, hiring, and professional development.
• Managing complex development applications, land use reviews, code amendments, rezoning requests, special development districts, variances, and conditional use permits.
• Directing long-range planning initiatives, special studies, and projects with significant community impact.
• Serving as a liaison to the Planning and Environmental Commission, Design Review Board, Town Council, and other stakeholders.
• Providing expert guidance on land use policy, urban design, architecture, zoning, and community development issues.
• Assisting with departmental budgeting, strategic planning, operational improvements, and policy development.
• Collaborating with applicants, residents, businesses, consultants, and regional partners to achieve community goals.

This position supervises approximately 3–4 direct reports and regularly participates in evening public meetings and community engagement activities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit:

• A completed Town of Vail online application
• A current resume
• A cover letter outlining qualifications, leadership experience, and interest in the position

Applications will be accepted through the Town of Vail's online employment portal.

The Town of Vail is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants.

Skills / Requirements

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader, skilled communicator, and strategic thinker who can balance community values, development interests, and long-term planning objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Land Use Planning, City Planning, Urban Design, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of professional planning experience, preferably within a municipal government environment.
• Strong knowledge of urban planning principles, current and long-range planning practices, public administration, and land use regulations.
• Experience managing complex development review processes and planning projects.
• Ability to interpret architectural plans, site plans, surveys, development applications, and technical documents.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and public presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with elected officials, appointed boards, staff, applicants, and community members.
• Working knowledge of Colorado land use law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Planning, Urban Design, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
• Five or more years of supervisory or management experience.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.
• Experience working within a design-focused community or resort municipality.

What Will Make You Successful

• Strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Political acumen and sound professional judgment.
• Ability to navigate complex and sometimes competing interests.
• Passion for community development, design excellence, and public service.
• Commitment to customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to communicate complex planning concepts in ways that are accessible and understandable to diverse audiences.

Culture, Lifestyle & Benefits

Work Where Others Vacation

Nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, Vail offers an unmatched quality of life. Whether you're skiing world-class terrain, hiking alpine trails, golfing, mountain biking, fishing, or simply enjoying the vibrant mountain-town atmosphere, Vail provides year-round opportunities to live an active and rewarding lifestyle.

At the Town of Vail, we are passionate about public service and dedicated to preserving the community's character while planning for its future. Our culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, professionalism, customer service, and stewardship of one of the most iconic resort communities in North America.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

The Town of Vail offers one of the most competitive public-sector benefits packages in Colorado, including:

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical coverage with access to local providers through Vail Health and Vail Summit Orthopaedics.
• Dental and vision insurance options.
• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Annual wellness incentive program.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care).

Lifestyle Benefits

• $1,000 annual Lifestyle Spending Account that can be used for fitness memberships, ski passes, outdoor recreation, race entries, sporting equipment, camping expenses, and more.
• Free recreation pass providing access to Town recreation amenities.
• Free CORE Transit pass.
• Employee discount marketplace through BenefitHub.

Retirement & Financial Security

• Employer-funded 401(a) retirement plan beginning on your first day of employment.
• Optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan with automatic enrollment.
• Employer-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.

Time Away From Work

• Three weeks of vacation during your first year, with increased accruals based on years of service.
• Six paid holidays annually.
• Generous sick leave accruals.
• Bereavement leave and Sick Bank program participation opportunities.

Professional Growth

• Tuition reimbursement up to $4,000 annually.
• Professional development opportunities, conferences, certifications, and continuing education.
• Opportunity to lead impactful projects that help shape the future of one of America's most recognized mountain communities.