Chief of Housing, Planning, Workforce and Economic Development

About the Department

CHIEF OF HOUSING, PLANNING, WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This senior executive will primarily serve as the City’s chief economic development lead. They will implement a comprehensive, citywide agenda that aligns housing, planning, land use and workforce development within the City’s economic revitalization strategy as determined by the mayor’s priorities.  The role will oversee and work in partnership with high-level leadership, both internal and external to the City of Detroit, including but not limited to the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, ensuring integrated, equitable, and data-driven approaches to neighborhood revitalization, job creation, housing affordability, and sustainable economic growth.

Position Duties

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Vision
  • Develop, articulate, and implement a cohesive and sustainable economic development strategy for Detroit that integrates housing, planning, workforce development, and land use with the City’s long-term goals.
  • Serve as the Mayor’s principal advisor on economic development policy, public-private partnerships, financing strategies, and strategic investments.
• Oversight of Departments and Agencies
  • Oversee executive leadership to the Departments of Housing and Revitalization, Planning, the Detroit Housing Commission, and Civil Rights & Inclusion Office.
  • Provide strategic direction and coordinate work with the Detroit Land Bank Authority, Detroit Housing Commission, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and various subsidiary boards & commissions to ensure alignment with citywide priorities, statutory requirements, and community needs leveraging your executive leadership team where appropriate.
  • Set performance standards, drive cross-departmental collaboration, and promote integrated delivery of programs, permits, incentives, and regulatory processes.
• Housing, Planning, and Neighborhood Revitalization
  • Guide strategies to increase the development of housing of all typologies including single family, affordable, safe, and sustainable housing; address blight; support equitable neighborhood growth; advance zoning and land-use planning that reflects community input and growth objectives.
  • Oversee housing rehabilitation, public housing initiatives, homeownership and rental housing programs, and housing stability efforts.
• Workforce Development and Talent Pipeline
  • Lead a citywide workforce strategy to expand job opportunities, skills training, and talent development that meet employer needs in existing and priority sectors giving Detroit a competitive advantage for growth. (e.g., advanced manufacturing, mobility, clean energy, skilled trades).
  • Coordinate with schools, community colleges, universities, workforce boards, philanthropic partners, and employers to create a robust talent pipeline and inclusive economic opportunities.
• Economic Development and Real Estate
  • Identify and advance development projects and real estate opportunities that stimulate investment, job creation, affordable housing, and long-term revenue for the city.
  • Lead business attraction strategy to increase investment and attract industry within the City in targeted sectors that provide sustainable growth and clear employment opportunities for Detroiters.  
  • Provide strategic direction for the prioritization and deployment of incentives, grant programs, tax increment financing (where applicable), and capital planning; manage relationships with developers, lenders, and federal/state program administrators.
• Land Use, Tax Foreclosure, and Asset Disposition
  • Direct the DLBA’s strategies for acquiring, maintaining, and efficiently disposing of city-owned and tax-foreclosed properties in a manner that revitalizes neighborhoods, delivers measurable public benefit and aligns with Master Plan and economic development strategies.
• Public-Private Partnerships and Financing
  • Lead the pursuit and management of public-private partnerships, intergovernmental agreements, and financing mechanisms to fund housing and economic development initiatives.
  • Oversee grant administration and compliance, including federal (CDBG, HOME, ESG, etc.), state, and local funding sources; ensure rigorous performance measurement and reporting.
• Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement
  • Ensure equity is embedded in all policies and investments; engage communities historically underserved or impacted by development decisions; promote transparent decision-making and accountability.
• Policy Development, Regulatory Compliance, and Risk Management
  • Develop policy recommendations, modernization of regulatory frameworks, and urban design standards that support inclusive growth while protecting public interests.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, and procurement rules; oversee risk management and internal controls.
• Performance, Analytics, and Reporting
  • Establish and monitor key performance indicators; produce regular reports on progress, outcomes, and fiscal impacts; present findings to the Mayor, City Council, and stakeholders.
• Talent, Culture, and Organizational Excellence
  • Build and maintain a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive leadership team; foster professional development, succession planning, and cross-functional collaboration.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Preferred:   Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Economics, Real Estate Development, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Alternative:   Juris Doctor (JD) or Master’s in a related field plus substantial relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum:  12+ years of demonstrated experience in economic development, housing, planning, or related fields, with progressive leadership responsibility.
• Senior leadership: 5+ years in a senior or executive management role overseeing multiple departments or agencies, ideally within municipal government or a public-sector context.
• Depth in:  public housing, urban planning, land use policy, real estate development, workforce development, blight remediation, community development and financing for capital projects (grants, incentives, tax strategies).

Equivalencies (Education/Experience)

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 14 – 20 years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership position.
• A Master’s degree in a related field plus 8 – 12 years of progressively responsible public-sector leadership in housing, planning, or economic development.
• A Juris Doctor (JD) or MBA plus 6 - 10 years of relevant leadership experience.
• An established professional certification (e.g., AICP, CEcD, CPM) combined with relevant experience (minimum 8 – 12 years) may substitute for part of formal educational requirements.
• A comparable mix of education, certifications, and hands-on leadership in municipal or regional economic development, housing, planning and land-use programs.

Licenses, Certifications and Licenses (optional but desirable)

• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners)
• CEcD (Certified Economic Developer)
• CPM (Certified Property Manager)
• Other related professional credentials (as applicable)

Other Qualifications

Reports To: Deputy Mayor

Direct Reports:   Executive Leads of the following, with their portfolios included below:

• Senior Director of Housing and Planning
  1. Planning and Development Department
  2. The Housing and Revitalization Department
  3. The Detroit Housing Commission
  4. The Detroit Land Bank
• Deputy Chief of Transformational Economic Development
  1. The Jobs and Economy Team (JET)
• Director, Civil Rights & Inclusion Office
• Director, Office of Workforce Development

Job Type:   Appointed - Full-time

Through support of Deputy Chief and Workforce Director, the Chief manages Operating Agreement and provides strategic direction to Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), Detroit Economic Development Corporation and other relevant boards and authorities managed within.

There is a similar relationship with DHC and DLBA but I’m not as familiar with those organizations and their legal relationship with the City and the influence expected of a chief given that distinction.   If I’m a potential candidate, that is important point of clarification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into actionable programs and budgets.
• Deep knowledge of housing policy, zoning, land-use planning, redevelopment, brownfield remediation, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Strong expertise in economic development financing, grants management, public-private partnerships, and capital planning.
• Proven ability to lead diverse cross-functional teams, manage complex projects, and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Excellent political acumen, negotiation, and stakeholder management (community groups, developers, lenders, state/federal partners).
• Data-driven decision making, performance measurement, and ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to varied audiences.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement; culturally competent leadership and communication skills.
• Financial and administrative acumen, including budgeting, contract management, and risk management.
• Ability to represent the City externally with credibility and diplomacy.