Deputy Director of Community Development

Salary : $99,603.00 - $117,181.00 Annually
Location : Town of East Hartford, CT
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 00338
Department: Development
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
POSITION DEFINITION
The Town of East Hartford is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Deputy Director of Community Development to support the Town's vision, goals, and talent strategy within the Development Department. This position plays a critical role in directing, planning, and organizing land use, building services, and community development programs and operations.

The Deputy Director will assist in developing and implementing policies; establishing and achieving departmental and town-wide objectives, goals, and performance metrics; and ensuring alignment with guidelines set forth by the Mayor and Town Council.

Key responsibilities include overseeing and coordinating staff; selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating division personnel; and managing department-wide process improvement initiatives. The role also requires strong judgment, discretion, political acumen, and a deep understanding of the needs of the business community and local land use regulations.

The successful candidate will excel at managing multiple concurrent projects with strict deadlines while navigating frequent interruptions and stakeholder expectations. This position demands a relationship-driven professional who demonstrates reliability, accessibility, integrity, and outstanding character.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Develop, implement, and monitor long-term plans, goals, and objectives that advance the Department's mission and priorities.
  • Evaluate and improve service delivery methods and procedures to ensure efficient and effective operations.
  • Support development of the Department's annual budget, including forecasting staffing, equipment, materials, and supply needs for the Division.
  • Review and evaluate new construction products, analyze technical reports, and establish acceptance criteria for their use.
  • Stay current on plan review practices, rules, and regulations; attend professional meetings and development sessions to maintain industry knowledge.
  • Serve as a liaison to state, federal, and community representatives, ensuring awareness of development opportunities.
  • Oversee the planning, marketing, coordination, and successful execution of approved projects, working with internal staff and external consultants.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with business functions by sourcing leads, preparing proposals, negotiating development agreements, and representing the city to outside stakeholders and partners.
  • Provide staff support to town boards, commissions, and task force groups.
  • Assist the Director with daily departmental management, including staff supervision, budgeting, and operational oversight.
  • Conduct research and identify potential development partners capable of constructing new commercial space.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides technical services to the Planning and Zoning Commission and departments, boards and commissions as needed.
• Participates in professional planning and development organizations to maintain knowledge in the field.
• Attends civic and professional meetings, trade shows and related functions to promote the interests of the Town of East Hartford.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to apply urban planning principles to identify issues, gather and analyze data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions.
  • Strong working knowledge of urban development practices.
  • Familiarity with urban renewal strategies and housing-related challenges.
  • Understanding of research methods used in community and municipal studies.
  • Knowledge of available funding sources and assistance programs.
  • Ability to build and maintain positive, effective working relationships with internal and external contacts.
  • Demonstrated supervisory capability.
  • Skill in speaking clearly and effectively before groups.
  • Ability to interpret and apply State and Federal laws, Town ordinances, and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations to determine appropriate actions.
  • Capacity to review, digest, and distribute large volumes of information to the appropriate authorities.
  • Understanding of municipal operations and the budgetary impacts of departmental activities.
  • Proficiency in accessing and processing information from file records and computer databases.
  • Ability to provide clear, concise written and verbal instructions and work effectively with staff, leadership, and the general public.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND LICENSING
The Deputy Development Director should hold a master's degree in Urban Planning, Business Administration, or a closely related field, along with at least four years of progressively responsible experience in community affairs, urban planning, or municipal development. An equivalent combination of advanced education and practical work experience may be considered.
Experience in a local government environment, in a rapidly growing community, and in areas such as supervision, budgeting, marketing, and research is highly desirable. Certification as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) is preferred.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

The above tasks and responsibilities are illustrative only. The description does not include every task or responsibility.