Director of Development Services - City of Missouri City, TX

Job Description

Missouri City, a diverse community southwest of Houston, is seeking a Development leader who will turn a coordinated vision for growth into reality across Fort Bend and Harris Counties. The City seeks an approachable leader who pairs sound planning judgment with predictable service, consistent standards, and staff development.

Reporting to the City Manager’s Office, the Director leads planning and zoning, permits and inspections, and community development functions. Missouri City operates under a council-manager government with a seven-member Council and an adopted fiscal 2027 citywide budget of approximately $305.9 million.

The next Director will help implement the updated Comprehensive Plan, align ordinances and staff practices with adopted policy, and support quality growth and reinvestment. Priorities include improving the application-to-completion process, coordinating reviews across departments, building on permitting technology gains, and coaching division leaders. The Director works closely with the Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and City Council.

The ideal candidate brings emotional intelligence, humility, calm judgment, and a record of process improvement and execution through a team. Experience with redevelopment, master-planned communities, and residential and commercial development is valued. The Director will explain complex requirements clearly, resolve competing interests constructively, and earn trust with residents, applicants, colleagues, and elected officials through consistent decisions and follow-through.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience with increasing levels of responsibility
• Valid Class C driver’s license and a good driving record

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in planning, public administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification
• Eight (8) years of professional experience as a Director or Assistant Planning Director in a municipal setting, or at a closely related level of responsibility

The City may consider an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. The salary range is $122,000 – $187,000, DOQ.

Please apply online at: https://www.governmentresource.com/recruitment/missouri-city-tx-development-services-director/

For more information on this position contact:

Clay Pearson, Senior Vice President

Strategic Government Resources

ClayPearson@governmentresource.com | (713) 816-8639