Community Development Manager
Department: Administration
Position Title: Community Development Manager
Reporting Authority: Village Administrator
Classification: Salaried, Full-Time, Non-Union, Exempt
This position provides leadership, strategic direction and oversight of all community planning initiatives (short and long term), zoning, and land development activities within the Village of Bourbonnais. Scope includes promoting orderly growth, fostering a pro-business climate, enhancing community livability and guiding development that aligns with the Village’s comprehensive plan. This position serves as a key liaison between the Village and businesses, developers, residents and regional partners.
Manages Community Development; overseeing subdivision and land use review processes. Oversees updates to the zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations and related development codes. Provides technical guidance on planning and zoning matters. Coordinates plan reviews and communicates requirements to applicants and developers. This position works closely with the Building and Code Enforcement Department.
Assists in the development and implementation of strategies to attract, retain and expand businesses. Identifies and pursues grant opportunities, incentives and partnerships that support economic growth. Coordinate with the Administration and the Communications Departments to promote the community as a desirable location for investment. Lead redevelopment projects and manage Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, business districts and other incentive tools. Strong understanding of effective community growth, principles of urban planning, zoning, land use law and economic development tools. Experience managing complex development projects and negotiating development agreements is desirable.
Present at public meetings, including Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Committee and Board Meetings. Prepares and delivers staff reports, developments proposals and policy recommendations.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding and knowledge of land planning, growth regulations and its implementation, economic development and initiatives to improve the quality of life of the residents.
- Serves as the Bourbonnais Zoning Administrator, meeting with land developers, contractors, design professionals and others to provide guidance on all aspects of the Village’s development regulations. Coordinates and oversees proposals through the development approval process.
- Utilize excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate and interact with all levels of personnel within the Village, the Mayor/Board Members and the general public.
- Develops recommendations regarding zoning amendments, zoning permit fee structures, zoning forms; and may propose solutions to any problem encountered in administering the Zoning
Ordinance.
- Conducts technical reviews, site inspections, and makes staff reports to the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals on specific project proposals such as, but not limited to, special use permit applications, conditional use permit applications, zoning amendments, variances, and appeals.
- Assists the general public, applicants, developers, and their representatives with zoning inquiries,
proposals, and applications. Directs the individual(s) to the proper agency/agencies for other needed permits.
- Strong and effective project management experience with proven ability to oversee process and
ensure adherence to budgets and protocols established in bidding process, from conception to completion, including coordination of Request for Proposals process for Village projects.
- Conducts comprehensive short- and long-range research to assist management decision-making and develops recommendations regarding new and/or modified Village programs with a strong focus on the best outcome for the community.
- Keeps the zoning map, text, and office records up-to-date by recording all amendments and retaining all official documents; and makes copies of the zoning ordinance available to the public.
- Works with the appropriate staff or offices (such as but not limited to, Village Clerk, Planning
Commission, Board of Appeals, administrative assistant) to prepare, publish, post, send and/or deliver public notices and/or meetings and hearings.
- Establish, maintain and foster productive working relationships with a diverse group of individuals both within the Village organization and the general public.
- Has thorough and progressive knowledge of public administration, including familiarity with Illinois municipal law, TIF, Business Districts and Enterprise zones. Strong desire to pursue best practices using innovative strategies and techniques.
- Manage programs, projects and initiatives as assigned by the Village Administrator.
- Supervises assigned Village staff, if so designated.
- Effectively utilizes computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to
perform a variety of work tasks.
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality, tact, integrity and ethics in dealing with sensitive matters.
- Fosters an attitude of helpfulness and transparency in the Village.
- Excellent diplomacy, presentation, customer service and interpersonal skills necessary to maintain a harmonious effective working relationship with other municipal departments, outside agencies and the public.
- Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment as well as make decisions within the scope of
assigned authority.
- Serves as Village staff liaison to various community organizations. Serves as the Village
Administrator's appointee or designee to various committees, boards, and agencies.
- Attends meetings and provides information to citizen groups, community-based organizations, staff and Mayor/Village Board.
- Consistently perform and model an ethic of responsive and compassionate customer service with
coworkers and the public. Provide professional support for the staff as needed.
- Ability to work and communicate with elected and appointed officials, and the public, with
appropriate etiquette and diplomacy.
- Attends professional schools, seminars, and/or conferences as needed to stay up-to-date on laws,
zoning trends, and other information pertinent to land planning, zoning, and economic development.
Qualifications:
- Must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Planning,
Business Administration, Public Administration or a substantially similar area. A Master’s degree or
AICP certification is desirable. Pursuit of AICP is expected.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in public land use planning, economic
development and budget development, preparation and implementation.
- Ability to pass and maintain FOIA Officer certification.
- Possession of valid Illinois driver’s license.
The Village of Bourbonnais offers a competitive benefits package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The salary range of this position is negotiable depending on qualifications, within the budgetary range of $65,000-$85,000 annually.
Resumes should be submitted to:
Interested candidates should send a resume and three references electronically to:
Human Resources Manager, Village of Bourbonnais
[email protected].
Submissions accepted through Friday, June 5th, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., or until position is filled.
Full job description available on website here.
Salary/Compensation: $65,000 - $85,000 per year
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