The City of Lodi is seeking a Community Development Director, this is a key member of the City’s executive leadership team, responsible for shaping Lodi’s long-term growth, development, and neighborhood vitality. Reporting directly to the City Manager, this position oversees the City’s Planning, Building Inspection, Neighborhood Services, and Development Review functions, ensuring that Lodi’s built environment, land use decisions, and regulatory processes support a thriving, well-planned community. The Department is supported by 22 FTEs and an FY 2025- 26 budget of $6.4 million.
The ideal Community Development Director is a forward-thinking, solutions-oriented leader who will help guide Lodi through an exciting period of growth, revitalization, and change. This individual will bring strong expertise in planning, building, neighborhood services, and development review, along with the strategic insight needed to oversee long range planning, policy development, and complex land-use decisions.
Lodi is seeking a customer-focused, business-friendly professional who understands both public- and private-sector development perspectives. The ideal candidate will foster a culture of collaboration, responsiveness, and problem solving within the department while upholding regulatory requirements and delivering exceptional service to residents, businesses, and developers.
This leader will be an effective communicator and relationship builder who works closely with the community, City Manager, City Council, City Commissions, and regional partners. They must be politically astute, comfortable representing the City in public forums, and skilled at navigating sensitive or complex issues.
The ideal candidate will also be an engaging, supportive manager who invests in staff development, promotes accountability, and creates a positive, customer-service-oriented culture. Experience with economic development, CDBG administration, and housing or homelessness initiatives is strongly valued.