Town of Hilton Head, South Carolina
Position: Planning Director
Job Summary: The Town of Hilton Head Island is seeking an experienced planning professional to serve as its next Planning Director. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of one of the Southeast’s premier coastal communities while leading initiatives related to community planning, development services, workforce housing, zoning and land use policy, environmental stewardship, redevelopment, and resilience planning.
Reporting to the Deputy Town Manager, the Planning Director leads the Town’s Planning Department, overseeing community planning, housing, development services, and permitting and inspection activities. The Director will oversee long-range and current planning initiatives, zoning administration, Land Management Ordinance (LMO) activities, and redevelopment strategies while balancing economic growth, natural resource protection, and quality of life.
The successful candidate will supervise senior departmental leadership, oversee departmental operations and budgets, manage complex planning initiatives, and represent the Town before elected officials, boards, agencies, and community stakeholders. Experience in municipal planning, land use policy, zoning administration, and consensus-building is essential. Experience in a coastal, tourism-driven, or high-growth community is preferred.
Qualified candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, architecture, landscape architecture, or a related field, along with at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible planning experience, including seven (7) years in a senior leadership role. AICP certification and a master’s degree are preferred.
Salary Range: $160,000 – $175,000 annually
