Sumter Local Government Consulting is pleased to be assisting Senoia, GA, in conducting a recruitment for their next Community Development and Planning Director.
Community
Nestled in Coweta County and part of the larger Atlanta metropolitan region, the City of Senoia is a vibrant, historic, and rapidly growing community with a unique blend of small-town charm and dynamic opportunity. Senoia’s population has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting strong demand for housing, services, and local amenities. The City’s demographic profile includes a diverse mix of professionals, families, and retirees, with a median age in the late 30s and household incomes well above state averages.
Residents enjoy a high quality of life with strong homeownership rates, excellent access to Coweta County’s public services, parks, and cultural attractions, and easy access to Atlanta’s employment centers.
The City of Senoia operates under a Mayor-Council form of government, where the elected Mayor and Council provide policy leadership, set strategic priorities, and represent the community. The City Council adopts the annual budget and establishes the framework that guides municipal operations. The City Manager serves as the chief administrative officer, overseeing daily operations and implementing the policy direction established by elected officials.
Within this structure, the Community Development and Planning Director plays a vital role in guiding the City’s growth, land use, and long-term development strategy. This position works closely with the City Manager, Mayor, and Council to ensure that planning initiatives, development activities, and regulatory processes align with the City’s vision and strategic priorities.
Senoia’s governance is supported by boards and authorities such as the Downtown Development Authority and Historic Preservation Committee, which are instrumental in shaping land use, preserving community character, and promoting economic vitality. The Community Development and Planning Director serves as a key liaison to these bodies, providing professional guidance, coordinating development reviews, and supporting policy implementation.
The Director is responsible for fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within the department. This includes overseeing long-range planning, development review processes, zoning administration, and community engagement efforts. The role also requires balancing growth with preservation, supporting economic development initiatives, and ensuring that development decisions reflect the community’s vision, enhance quality of life, and promote long-term sustainability.
The Role
The City of Senoia is seeking a highly engaged and strategic Community Development Director to lead all aspects of planning, zoning, land development, and economic development. This position serves as a key member of the City’s leadership team and is responsible for guiding policy development, managing growth, and ensuring that development aligns with the City’s long-term vision.
This role combines executive-level leadership with hands-on operational oversight in a dynamic, growing community. The Director will work closely with the City Manager, Mayor, and Council, as well as advisory boards, to shape development outcomes, resolve complex land use issues, and maintain a high standard of customer service for residents, developers, and businesses. The position also plays a central role in balancing economic growth with preservation of Senoia’s historic character and community identity.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Strategic and forward-thinking leader with a strong foundation in community development and planning
- Politically savvy and experienced working with elected officials, boards, and commissions
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholder groups
- Excellent communicator—both verbally and in writing—with the ability to clearly present complex information
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a leadership style that fosters accountability and professional growth
- Customer-service oriented, with a commitment to responsiveness and solution-driven outcomes
- Skilled negotiator who can balance competing interests and achieve practical, consensus-based solutions
- Adaptable and resilient, comfortable navigating ambiguity and changing priorities
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Ethical, transparent, and committed to public service values
- Innovative thinker who embraces process improvement and modernization opportunities
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, or a related field required
- Minimum five (5) years of municipal government experience with some leadership or senior management experience
- Strong knowledge of zoning, land use, development regulations, and capital project management
Salary
Application Process
For more information on this position, including supplementary documents and resources, visit the recruitment webpage at:
The first round of resume reviews will take place on April 17, 2026.
Please refrain from contacting the City of Senoia's staff or elected officials. Please direct inquiries to Sumter Consulting.
Please contact the Executive Recruiter with any questions or concerns:
Warren Hutmacher
Email: warren@sumterconsulting.com
Phone: 404-535-0525
Website: www.sumterlocalgovconsulting.com