Data, Strategy and Innovation

Posting Open Until Filled

Salary Range: $74,800 - $124,600

General Description and Classification Standards

The Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) is committed to implementing Atlanta City Design and transforming Atlanta into the best possible version of itself. Adopted into the City Charter in December 2017, Atlanta City Design articulates an aspiration for the future city that Atlantans can fall in love with, knowing that if people love their city, they will make better decisions about it.

The Department’s objective is to guide the development of the City through planning, design review, plan approval, code compliance, and housing assistance. The Department works closely with the Neighborhood Planning Units, independent community organizations, and developers to provide policy guidance and assistance to support the growth of our community.

DCP is seeking to hire a Director of Data, Strategy and Innovation who understands industry and business operation trends and can identify strategic insights and turn those insights into organization-wide transformation. The Director will report directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations. Providing supervision to two teams, Project Management and Operations and Analytics, collectively this team is charged with driving organizational change, supporting and maintaining department data collection systems, identifying and measuring on key performance indicators, and improving operational efficiency and performance. The Director will work closely with the Department’s Operational Offices to develop, manage, maintain, execute cross-functional initiatives and will be held accountable for the identification, qualification and capture of work processes and development of efficient methods for improved organizational efficiency in the department. The Director will assess opportunities as well as help review systems, operations, processes, customers, market and data for decision making. This role also conducts various planning and department improvement activities, including the oversight for data collection and analysis. 

This is a fully seasoned managerial level charged with responsibility for significant specialized functions within a department.  Position manages a group of employees, typically with an intermediate supervisor, or a smaller group of specialized professional employees.  Areas of responsibility are typically unique within the department. 

Supervision Received

Direction received is general and focuses more on long-term and short-term operating objectives, managerial effectiveness, and operating results.  This level would be considered \'middle\' management.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities  

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.  May perform other duties as assigned.

Serves on the leadership team of the Department of City Planning. Contributes to the development and execution of department goals, budgets, and operations – providing subject matter expertise on community and economic development.

Manages, coordinates, and supports innovative department-wide activities that result in improvements to existing structures and systems to maximize program performance. 

Refines, implements, and integrates the departments vision as expressed in Atlanta City Design, the CDP, and other strategic plan framework into the existing performance management system(s). 

Leads the design and implementation of data governance and data management frameworks, ensuring data quality, integrity, and security. 

Defines a multiyear operations and performance management strategy and roadmap for success with input from the Commissioner and Leadership team. 

Stays abreast with emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in data analytics and innovation to drive continuous improvement. 

Manages a team of project managers, data professionals, and system administrators, providing guidance, mentoring, and support to achieve strategic objectives. Building support, by utilizing excellent communication and leadership skills in driving projects. 

Oversees the collection of performance management tools. 

Uses project management tools and data-driven analysis to identify problem areas and opportunities, set targets and design and implement action-oriented plans to drive tangible results for the City.

Develops actionable recommendations and implementation plans that take budget/ policy constraints into account and evaluate impact of change on service delivery, productivity, and cost efficiency. 

Actively manages medium to large-scale projects, including leading project meetings, facilitating project team interaction, managing scope, managing deadlines, managing project budgets, and ensuring on-time delivery of solutions. 

Produces clear, concise, and consistent deliverables to communicate problems and recommendations with attention to presentation and potential audiences. 

Manages and maintains strong relationships with a broad set of stakeholders, including government officials and private and public sector partners. 

Helps define, accelerate, track, and lead key cross functional initiatives and results while reporting on performance measures and effectiveness of implemented strategies, including crafting project plans and tracking progress across projects to keep roadmaps progressing on schedule.

Distills information, synthesizes ambiguous problems, and develops structured analysis to tell a cohesive story for leaders across the organization.

Uses strong interpersonal skills to engage team members, clients, and partners to communicate business expectations to the technical experts to facilitate desired outcomes. 

Coordinates program activities with other departments, outside agencies, stakeholders and customers. Negotiates resolutions of problems and contractual agreements, both internal and external to the organization. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery and directs improvements. 

Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates the performance of staff. Ensures employee development and succession.

Collaborates with agencies and other stakeholders to launch innovative programs focused on areas such as inclusionary zoning, blight remediation, and community revitalization. 

Decision Making

This position has department-wide responsibility for all aspects of decisions and/or an action related to driving organizational change, supporting and maintaining department data collection systems, identifying and measuring on key performance indicators, and improving operational efficiency and performance. 

Leadership Provided

Manages an assigned group of data/GIS professionals and technical employees; position also provides innovative program leadership and influence with respect to related agencies and other governmental bodies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The ideal candidate is ready to work in a high-energy, openly collaborative work environment. They have a history of demonstrable success in planning, project management and equity based and data-driven decision making. They are persistent, friendly, and concise. We seek engaged professionals with outstanding quantitative, strategic, and interpersonal skills. Below is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully.  It is not an exhaustive list.

Experience delivering medium to large-scale projects on time and within budget. 

Experience conducting detailed quantitative analysis including working with large data sets, financial modeling, and basic statistical analysis. 

Exceptional problem-solving skills with an ability to anticipate challenges and develop solutions on deadline.

Strong attention to detail. 

Strong leadership and communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders.

Enterprising, resourceful results-oriented approach to work. 

Ability to prioritize among competing needs and opportunities and manage multiple projects or work streams at the same time. 

Ability to thoughtfully communicate with and respectfully engage diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for achieving results. 

Experience in driving organizational change and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making

Strong verbal, written and presentation skills. Ability to work collaboratively to arrive at constructive solutions. 

Ability to manage stakeholders such volunteer citizen commission members, City employees, Mayor's Office, architects, developers, citizens, other organizations with interest in zoning and development. 

Ability to manage projects and lead a team to achieve results. Knowledge of change management and process improvement.

Budget development and management. Knowledge relevant computer software.

Minimum Qualifications – Education and Experience

Undergraduate Degree in Business/Public administration, Finance, Public Health, Public Policy, Urban or Regional Planning, Organizational Development, or other data driven field. 

5-7 years of experience in strategic planning, data strategy and analytics, business analysis, project management, finance, operations, or consulting experience in a demanding analytic environment; experience in management, strategy or operational consulting preferred, with at least three (3) years of supervisory experience. 

Preferred Education & Experience

Master's Degree in Business/Public administration, Finance, Public Health, Public Policy, Urban or Regional Planning, Organizational Development, or other data driven field. 

8-9 years of progressive professional-level experience in strategic planning, data strategy and analytics, business analysis, project management, finance, operations, or consulting experience in a demanding analytic environment; experience in management, strategy or operational consulting preferred, with at least four (4) years of supervisory experience. 

Licensures and Certifications

Valid Georgia driver’s license required.

Essential Capabilities and Work Environment

Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with job.