The City of Durham is seeking a visionary leader passionate about creating equitable housing opportunities and thriving neighborhoods. This is your chance to make a real difference in the lives of Durham’s diverse community leading the newly established Housing and Neighborhood Services Department.
ABOUT DURHAM
With a highly diverse population of approximately 300,000 and a labor force of approximately 182,000, Durham is located in North Carolina’s “Triangle” region – midway between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the state’s pristine Crystal Coast. Durham’s world-renowned Research Triangle Park (RTP) boasts more than 170 high tech companies, and a bullish entrepreneurial community. Top employment sectors include life sciences and health care; professional, scientific and technical services; retail; and manufacturing. Durham is also home to several institutions of higher education, including North Carolina Central University, Duke University, and Durham Technical Community College, each maintaining synergistic relationships with City of Durham Government.
The City of Durham has operated under the Council–Manager form of government since 1921.
Durham City Council is comprised of seven members: three members from specific wards, three at-large members and the Mayor. The terms for the City Council seats are staggered, and nonpartisan elections are held every two years. The Mayor is elected for a two-year term. City Council is the legislative and policy-making body for Durham and is the final authority on most matters relating to the City. The Council is responsible for establishing general policies for the City: appointing the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and members of various boards and commissions; enacting ordinances, resolutions and orders; adopting the annual budget; and authorizing contracts on the City’s behalf.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT AND POSITION
The new Housing & Neighborhood Services Department will combine portions of the Neighborhood Improvement Services Department (Neighborhood Improvement Services Department | Durham, NC) and portions of the Community Development Department (Community Development Department | Durham, NC). The combined functions include:
- Human Relations
- Code Enforcement
- Multifamily Housing Development
- Neighborhood Stabilization (down payment assistance, home repairs)
- Contract Monitoring & Compliance
- Finance & Planning
In this pivotal role, you’ll spearhead the department in driving the development and maintenance of affordable and mixed-income housing, ensuring building safety, and addressing land-use considerations that impact housing and community development. Your strategic leadership will guide the department’s direction, shaping policies and programs that promote innovative housing solutions. You will also foster employee engagement within the department, recognizing the importance of internal staff work alongside external community collaboration. Your efforts will support a vibrant, inclusive, and healthy environment for all.
The midpoint salary for this position is $174,554. The final offer will be commensurate with experience.
What You’ll Do
- Lead with purpose: Set strategic direction, develop key partnerships, and empower your team through coaching and mentoring.
- Drive impact: Lead all department operations, manage budgets and contracts, implement programs that create housing choices and community development, and consider land-use impacts on housing availability.
- Shape policy: Advise city leadership on housing policy, housing codes, land-use strategies related to affordable housing, discrimination ordinances/policies, and propose solutions to address Durham’s evolving needs.
- Build relationships: Collaborate with private, county, and state agencies to secure funding and coordinate services for Durham residents.
- Champion equity: Ensure all programs and services are delivered with justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the forefront.
- Plan for the future: Establish and implement a strategic workplan to identify and address short-term and long-term goals to improve the availability of affordable housing, community development programs, and land-use considerations
- Direct administration: Direct the administration of housing and community development programs and activities, including land-use planning aspects, ensuring equitable access, fiscal compliance, and programmatic integrity.
- Advise City Leadership: Advise the City Manager, Mayor and Council, and other City leadership on housing policy, housing codes, and land-use strategies related to affordable housing and community development, and their implications on the city and its residents.
- Focus on employee engagement within the department.
- Support the development of both affordable and mixed-income housing.
- Explore and implement innovative housing solutions, such as tiny homes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
What You’ll Bring
- A bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) in public administration, community planning, public policy, or a related field.
- Ten (10) years of experience in affordable housing development, housing policy, community development, and/or land-use planning, with significant supervisory experience.
- Deep knowledge of housing policy, affordable housing finance, community development, land-use planning principles, Minimum Housing Code, and programs/services for protected classes.
- Experience investigating allegations of discrimination based on the City’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance, education, and outreach.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- A passion for serving the community and creating positive change.
To Apply
The City of Durham is partnering with POLIHIRE to identify the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Services. For immediate consideration you must submit a cover letter highlighting your qualifications and a resume to: Neighborhood_Services@polihire.com. First review of applications will take place in early August.
Once your application is successfully transmitted, you will receive an auto-generated acknowledgment email. Please be aware that this confirmation email may be in your junk/spam folder. Please contact info@polihire.com if you do not receive an acknowledgement or have any questions.