Cary wants to challenge and reimagine the standard for what local government can be — and the Development Liaison Supervisor position reflects that ambition. Cary ranks #5 in the nation and #1 in North Carolina on U.S. News & World Report's 2025–2026 Best Places to Live list and ranks in the top 5% for job market strength, driven in large part by the thriving development activity that the Development Liaison Supervisor helps support. Consistently recognized among the top places to live, work, and visit, Cary is known for its safe neighborhoods, extensive greenways, environmental stewardship, and premier sports and cultural venues, with a "people first" philosophy that drives collaboration, adaptability, and forward-thinking public investment.
Development Liaison Supervisor works collaboratively across the department by cross-training with colleagues and ensuring consistent service delivery from the Development Liaisons. People and project management are key responsibilities in this role to guarantee residents, businesses, and developers receive consistent, knowledgeable, and effective guidance through planning, development, and building permit review. Safeguarding one of the Town’s primary interfaces between the public and our development processes is crucial in ensuring that growth is managed responsibly, and transparently. As supervisor, your leadership will strengthen the team’s ability to communicate and deliver clear and timely communication, set priorities, and build staff capacity to exercise independent judgment. Customer service is paramount, and reducing barriers to development ensures customers clearly understand the process.
What makes this position especially meaningful is the direct impact it has on shaping the community. Cary is committed to proactive, comprehensive planning to guide the future of the community, valuing growth that balances desired service levels, economic benefits, and continued stability. The Development Liaison Supervisor is on the front lines of that work — helping bring responsible development to life while protecting the quality of life that makes Cary exceptional.
Cary invests in its employees' potential and recognizes outstanding performance, creative thinking, and service to its citizens, making this not just a job, but a career with purpose, and growth.
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Assistant Development Services Director. Supervision is exercised over section personnel.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $105,000 - $115,000Acts as the primary point of contact and facilitator for internal and external customers — including developers, architects, engineers, attorneys, contractors, site design professionals, homeowners' associations, business owners, investors, landowners, and the general public — throughout all phases of the development process.
Plans and conducts meetings with developers, homeowners' associations, community groups, and residents; prepares and delivers presentations to a variety of audiences including Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood groups, local employers, and Town departments on development projects, programs, policies, and procedures, which may occur outside of normal business hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Represents the Town and the department at community, professional, and interagency meetings and initiatives.
Serves as liaison between the Town and the business community, facilitating communication and helping stakeholders navigate development processes, construction requirements, Town ordinances, state building codes, application procedures, permitting, and inspections in a customer-friendly and professional manner.
Confers with and advises applicants, design professionals, contractors, elected officials, and the general public on development requirements, laws, codes, ordinances, and Town policies; makes authoritative interpretations of applicable regulations and policies.
Facilitates meetings with applicants and/or development teams in DRC pre-application conferences to discuss Cary’s construction plan approval process and the requirements for completing development projects; assists developers, contractors and others with information on the development process; advises on permitting requirements;
Coordinates assigned projects across Town departments, divisions, and outside agencies to ensure efficient, effective, and timely responses to customer needs; facilitates resolution of conflicts between policies, codes, and regulations across multiple departments.
Reviews development proposals for compliance with applicable regulations and policies; conducts investigations and makes recommendations on matters relating to planning, zoning, and subdivision.
Works with business owners, investors, and developers to encourage and facilitate new investment in the community in support of the Town's business and economic development goals.
Maintains a comprehensive activity log of assigned projects and all associated Town communications.
Monitors and reports on development metrics to support data-driven decision-making, enabling Town leadership to evaluate trends, allocate resources effectively, and respond proactively to community needs.
Researches and implements process improvements, including the Change of Tenant building permit process and the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in accordance with Town policies.
Drafts amendments to the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) as needed.
Performs other job-related tasks as required.
Thorough knowledge of philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques of land use planning, zoning, subdivision, and inspections, including municipal planning research and application. Thorough knowledge of the Town's Land Development Ordinance, building codes, and all applicable federal, state, and local development laws and regulations. Thorough knowledge of the development review process as it applies to each Town department and relevant outside agencies. Knowledge of methods and practices of conflict identification and resolution within a regulatory and public-facing environment. Familiarity with AI tools and technologies.
Skill in ensuring and evaluating compliance with federal, state, and local development laws, codes, and regulations. Skill in collecting and analyzing data to develop complex plans, studies, and reports that are concise, comprehensive, and clearly written. Skill in preparing and delivering effective public presentations to diverse audiences, including elected officials, community groups, and professional stakeholders. Skill in conducting comprehensive property and development research across a wide variety of project types.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally — both orally and in writing — with the general public, contractors, design professionals, property owners, elected officials, Town staff, and outside agencies. Ability to establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with coworkers, municipal officials, representatives of other agencies, and members of the general public, with an emphasis on excellent customer service. Ability to coordinate effectively across Town departments and with outside agencies to support timely and efficient project outcomes. Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively in a team environment as a consistent part of daily work.
Requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning, landscape architecture, architecture, economic development, construction management, civil engineering, or a closely related field.
A minimum of seven years of experience in planning, land development, site design/engineering, building inspections, or a related field is required, along with at least three years of supervisory experience over professional staff.
Preference will be given to candidates with:
Considerable experience in managing people (teams) and projects.
Considerable experience demonstrating effective leadership in professional and/or non-professional settings (e.g., volunteer, recreational, community, etc.)
Some experience delivering public presentations.
Professional license (Architect, Landscape Architect, Engineer, Surveyor), level III building inspector, AICP, and/or PMP certification.
Physical Requirements
The work in this class is generally inside and sedentary. An employee must be able to talk, hear, and see. Visual acuity is necessary in order to read and write handwritten and typewritten materials, review and draw plans, and view a computer. Walking and driving may be required in order to observe work in progress.
Special Requirements
Requires a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, SBI finger-printing, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.
This position may occasionally require participation in meetings and events outside of normal business hours, which may include evenings and weekends.
