Deputy Commissioner

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Deputy Commissioner

Department of Planning and Development

Bureau of Planning

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $143,316 - $162,048

This position is Shakman Exempt

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59 pm CDT on 08/31/2026.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS

Under direction, this class functions as a member of the City of Chicago's Department of Planning and Development leadership team, directing the operations of a bureau, division, or a comprehensive functional area. This classification involves contributing to policy development and leading strategic and organizational planning initiatives, and performs related duties as required. This class title has been designated as a multi-tiered title. Positions allocated to this title code are assigned to Tier 2 assigned City departments and have been designated as such on the Senior Management Salary Schedule.

The Deputy Commissioner will initiate and facilitate activities to promote and implement the City's design and land use goals. Position oversees a highly professional team of planners and architects and establishes work priorities for bureau programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plans and establishes division goals and objectives in compliance with department goals and mission statement.
• Establishes operational policies and procedures related to long-range planning, project-based planning, city-owned land sales, design review, and design guidelines and principles.
• Oversees the work of regional planning project managers within the bureau, ensuring project deadlines and milestones are tracked and met.
• Analyzes and troubleshoots problem issues within the division and recommends solutions.
• Interprets department policies and procedures to staff and directs staff training and development.
• Develops, implements, and monitors programs designed to improve and expand departmental services.
• Testifies before various City approval bodies such as Plan Commission and City Council committees as needed.
• Directs subordinate personnel responsible for executing programmatic objectives and policies.
• Directs staff training and development activities.
• Directs the coordination and preparation of the bureau/division annual budget.
• Apprises leadership and other departmental managers of the status of projects.
• Represents the department at conferences, meetings, and to the general public regarding the operations of the department.
• Lead and assist regional planners to coordinate and collaborate with other DPD bureaus, city departments, sister agencies, Aldermen, and community groups.
• Collaborates with Chicago-area planning and design advocacy groups.

NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.

Location: 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60602, 10^th Floor

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

* This is a Shakman Exempt - appointed position

* Successful candidates must possess the following:

o Five (5) years of work experience in a leadership role, preferably in a government, nonprofit or a large-scale organization, which includes a strong track record of managing people, programs and budgets

o Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

* None

WORKING CONDITIONS

* General office environment

EQUIPMENT

* Standard office equipment (e.g., phone, printer, copier, computers, mobile devices)

* Standard productivity suites (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, etc.)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

* No specific requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND ATTRIBUTES

Positions assigned to executive leadership roles are expected to possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and attributes.

* Strong vision and direction for assigned division that embodies the following core values, transparency, diversity, inclusion, equity, accountability, and transformation

* Ability to understand the enterprise as a whole; recognizing how the various functions of the organization depend on one another, and how changes in any one part affect all the others; connecting the relationship of the individual divisions and issues to the department, City and sister agencies, the community, and the political, and social ecosystem as a whole

* Professional and personal history reflecting the highest standards of integrity

* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders

* Ability to lead organizational changes and implement process improvements

* Ability to make informed decisions that align with the goals established by the department head

* Demonstrated commitment to holding supervisory personnel accountable for the timely and effective execution of organizational policy by individuals under their command

* Commitment to and demonstrated experience expanding and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the population it serves

* Outstanding skills in communicating and interacting with the media, community organizations, elected officials, and the general public

* Experience dealing with labor-management issues and the ability to work effectively with employee unions

* Strong administrative and leadership track record, including overseeing a sizeable staff and organization in organizational planning and development, strategic and operational planning, budget management, process improvement, data-driven decision-making, and crisis management

All employees of the City of Chicago must demonstrate commitment to and compliance with applicable state and federal laws, and City ordinances and rules; the City's Ethics standards; and other City policies and procedures.

The City of Chicago will consider equivalent foreign degrees, accreditations, and credentials in evaluating qualifications. * May be required at entry.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This is an appointed position, exempt from the Shakman decrees.

Education & Employment Verification: Please be advised that if you are selected to be hired you must provide, upon request, adequate information regarding your educational and employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position for which you are applying. If the City of Chicago cannot verify this information, any offer extended to you will be withdrawn and you will not be hired.

Residency Requirement: All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

If you would like to request reasonable accommodation due to disability or pregnancy in order to participate in the application process, please contact the City of Chicago, Department of Human Resources at (312) 744-4976 (voice) or (312) 744-5035 (TTY). Please be prepared to provide information in support of your reasonable accommodation request.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

City of Chicago :: Classification and Pay Plan

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor