JOB DESCRIPTION

Due to an upcoming retirement, the Town of Aberdeen is seeking a proven leader to join our team as the next Planning & Inspections Director for our growing community. Situated in the NC Sandhills Region adjacent to Pinehurst and Southern Pines, Aberdeen's history as a commercial, industrial, and railroad hub serving the greater southern Moore County region is balanced by a rate of growth over the past 10+ years that has highlighted the need for thoughtful decision-making in line with the community's long-range objectives and vision.

This position offers an opportunity to guide a growing community towards high-quality outcomes that have direct impacts on the quality of experience for residents and the business community. Preservation of the community's character through responsible development standards and long-range vision implementation will be guiding tenets for the successful candidate, who will lead the Planning & Inspections Department's high-performing team of seven professional staff and build upon a strong foundation of success.

Reporting directly to the Town Manager, the position relies on strong relationship-building through regular engagement with elected and appointed officials, developers, community stakeholders, and regional partners. Hands-on leadership, collaboration abilities, and an interest in developing less-senior staff through mentorship and role-modeling are skills that are key to success in this role.

Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications, the ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and a broad working knowledge of planning and community development activities are critical. Aberdeen currently has a number of significant projects underway including several residential subdivisions, new commercial development, and a unique mixed-use redevelopment project with the Town serving as a major stakeholder. The Town's UDO has undergone a rigorous review resulting in recent updates and is 160D-compliant.

Interested candidates are requested to submit a letter of interest, town application, and resume, with priority consideration given to submittals received by Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university with major course work in urban/regional planning, landscape architecture, public administration, business administration, geography or related field. NC planning and GIS experience preferred. A minimum of 8 years of experience in the planning field with a minimum of 4 years of supervisory experience also preferred. AICP and CZO strongly preferred.