The City of Indianola is currently welcoming applications for the position of Director of Community and Economic Development.
The City of Indianola (pop.16,069) is a growing community with a historic downtown, located approximately 15 minutes south of Des Moines, IA. It is a safe community with Midwestern values, friendly people, and excellent schools. Indianola, which is home to Simpson College, the world-renowned Des Moines Metro Opera, the National Balloon Museum, and the U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame, is known for its excellent access to outdoor activities, a nice trail system, five major parks, and two golf courses. The community welcomes thousands of visitors annually who come to Indianola to enjoy major events such as the National Balloon Classic, the Des Moines Challenge Disc Golf Tournament, the Warren County Fair, and other events.

This senior executive-level position serves as the Department Head for the Community & Economic Development Department. Accordingly, the position is responsible for and coordinates the operations and activities of the department. Core duties and responsibilities of the position include:

• Strategic Leadership & Oversight – Direct and manage departmental operations encompassing planning, zoning, community and economic development, code enforcement, and rental housing inspections to ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Development Review & Approval – Oversee site and development plan reviews, ensuring projects meet municipal code, policy, approved plans, and regulatory requirements while coordinating with city departments, developers, and consultants.
• Economic Growth, Business Recruitment & Redevelopment – Lead economic development initiatives, including business recruitment, retention, expansion, complex redevelopment projects, development agreements, and incentive programs such as tax increment financing (TIF).
• Code Review & Regulatory Compliance – Review, update, and enforce municipal codes, policies, and procedures while integrating best practices and monitoring legislative changes to ensure adherence to local, state, and federal requirements.
• Financial & Resource Management – Develop and administer departmental budgets, optimize resources, secure grant funding, and drive strategic financial planning to support infrastructure improvements and sustainable development efforts.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Governance Support – Provide expert recommendations to the city leadership, foster transparent communication with civic groups, commissions, and community partners, and ensure effective implementation of city plans and policies.
• Direct and oversee departmental operations, ensuring excellence in planning, zoning, community/economic development, building, permitting, code enforcement, and rental housing inspection.
• Develop and administer the department’s operating and capital budgets to include accounting for revenues, expenses, resource optimization, and strategic financial planning.
• Coordinate site and development plan reviews, working with city departments, developers, project representatives, and consultants for project review and approval.
• Oversee inspections and approvals for construction and development projects in partnership with other city departments and consultants to ensure compliance with city code, policy, approved plans, specifications, and regulations.

Minimum requirements include:

• Graduation from high school.
• Bachelor’s degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, urban geography, public administration, or a similarly related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Seven (7) years of related work experience required with a minimum of two (2) years supervisory and/or administrative experience preferred; may consider other field-related experience.
• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the advanced principles and accepted practices of municipal planning and zoning activities, and recent developments in the field of urban planning.

* See the attached job description for a full list of duties and qualifications. *
The salary range is $113,557.50-$153,426.60.The anticipated starting salary is $ 113,557.50 to midpoint $129,806.96, depending on qualifications.
The position also comes with a comprehensive benefits package that includes vacation, sick leave, personal leave, life insurance and AD&D, short and long-term disability, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement, tuition reimbursement, and an employee assistance program. A first review of applications will begin July 8, 2025. A cover letter and resume are required.
The City of Indianola is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law

• Strategic Leadership & Oversight – Direct and manage departmental operations encompassing planning, zoning, community and economic development, code enforcement, and rental housing inspections to ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Development Review & Approval – Oversee site and development plan reviews, ensuring projects meet municipal code, policy, approved plans, and regulatory requirements while coordinating with city departments, developers, and consultants.
• Economic Growth, Business Recruitment & Redevelopment – Lead economic development initiatives, including business recruitment, retention, expansion, complex redevelopment projects, development agreements, and incentive programs such as tax increment financing (TIF).
• Code Review & Regulatory Compliance – Review, update, and enforce municipal codes, policies, and procedures while integrating best practices and monitoring legislative changes to ensure adherence to local, state, and federal requirements.
• Financial & Resource Management – Develop and administer departmental budgets, optimize resources, secure grant funding, and drive strategic financial planning to support infrastructure improvements and sustainable development efforts.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Governance Support – Provide expert recommendations to the city leadership, foster transparent communication with civic groups, commissions, and community partners, and ensure effective implementation of city plans and policies.
• Direct and oversee departmental operations, ensuring excellence in planning, zoning, community/economic development, building, permitting, code enforcement, and rental housing inspection.
• Develop and administer the department’s operating and capital budgets to include accounting for revenues, expenses, resource optimization, and strategic financial planning.
• Coordinate site and development plan reviews, working with city departments, developers, project representatives, and consultants for project review and approval.
• Oversee inspections and approvals for construction and development projects in partnership with other city departments and consultants to ensure compliance with city code, policy, approved plans, specifications, and regulations