Strategic Planning Manager

Salary : $132,997.50 - $183,505.50 Annually
Location : Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-00256
Department: Community Development
Division: CD Planning StratPlanning
Opening Date: 12/03/2025
Closing Date: 1/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NONAFF

Come Join the City of Bellevue

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.
Job Summary
The City of Bellevue is rapidly maturing into a tech-centric, diverse, metropolitan city within the Central Puget Sound Region. The Community Development Department is looking to fill the Strategic Planning Manager position in the department's Planning Division with a creative, forward-thinking individual. The department's vision is to secure Bellevue's future as a livable, inspiring, vibrant and equitable community. The ideal candidate will lead a work group of professionals focused on strategic planning and design issues of citywide importance (transit-oriented development, growth corridor planning, placemaking, etc.), implementation of urban design-related capital investments and special initiatives as requested by the City Council and City Manager's Office. The Strategic Planning Manager reports directly to the Assistant Director for Planning while personally managing a small group of urban design, and planning professionals. The Strategic Planning Manager also collaborates heavily with the Planning Division's Comprehensive Planning Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION

• In collaboration with the Assistant Director, defines the goals of the Strategic Planning Team to carry out the Planning Division work program.
• Manages budget and staff resources effectively to accomplish work program goals for the Strategic Planning Team.
• Hires, trains, mentors, and motivates a team of professional design and planning staff.
• Provides timely feedback to staff based on project and program performance expectations.

PROFESSIONAL PLANNING EXPERTISE

• Provides expert knowledge of transit-oriented development, urban design, and placemaking along with associated inclusive engagement processes.
• Applies long-term perspective to planning and design issues. Understands interrelatedness of growth issues that affect cities and implications for Bellevue's future.
• Applies appropriate analytical methods to urban design, planning and development issues and projects, draws logical conclusions, and makes well-justified recommendations.

LEADERSHIP

• Demonstrates integrity, credibility, trust and respect to city staff, council, boards and commissions and the public.
• Provides strategic thinking in developing ideas and work programs that advance major city initiatives and departmental goals.
• Sets goals and objectives for the Strategic Planning Team and ensures overall results are achieved.
• Works to instill in staff a commitment to the organization and to its principles and goals.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Provides clear information regarding substantive issues and the planning process to the community.
• Assures the Strategic Planning Team serves the public interest while providing high quality service and products to city residents, council and other stakeholders.
• Brings forward new ideas to help the community develop answers to problems that can be viewed as "win-win".

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Personally manages, or oversees the manager, of the largest, most complex city planning projects or initiatives requiring long term focus and attention.
• Develops systems, policies and procedures to produce quality, cost-effective work.
• Builds effective monitoring and evaluation methods into projects/programs/initiatives and uses results to make future improvements.
• Provides effective oversight of project team members as well as consultants as applicable.

COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION

• Works with others throughout the city organization and with outside stakeholder groups to accomplish project goals through inclusive engagement.
• Presents complex technical information in an understandable form to city council, boards and commissions, civic groups, and diverse groups within the community.
• Uses innovative, creative approaches for disseminating information and engaging everyone in the community.

Qualifications
Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year university with a degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, architecture, environmental studies, or a closely related field. A master's degree is preferred.
• A minimum of seven years' progressively responsible experience, with 10 years preferred, in supervising the activities of professional planners, administering, monitoring, and/or developing plans and regulations (including at least three years of project management experience).
• A thorough knowledge of planning principles, practices, and techniques as they relate to all functional areas of land use, urban design, environmental impacts, or other related areas.
• Certification as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.
• Alternatively, a clear equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required mix of knowledge, skills and abilities.

Supplemental Information
Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to 40 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.

FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.
HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.
** Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.**
The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value

Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:
Medical
Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).
Dental
Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.
Vision
Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:
More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note: The City of Bellevue does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan.

NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
01

Why are you interested in this position and why are you a good fit? Please include how your qualifications align with the job expectations listed in the announcement and how your experience and career interests align with this opportunity to be the next Strategic Planning Manager in the City of Bellevue's Community Development Department.
02

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed in business, public administration/policy, communications or a related field?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or above

03

How many years of prior related professional experience in customer service, data analysis or program coordination do you have?

• 1-3 years of experience
• 3-5 years of experience
• 5-7 years of experience
• 7-9 years of experience
• 10+ years of experience

04

Do you currently hold certification as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you worked in the public sector?

• Yes
• No

06

The City of Bellevue is a hybrid workplace. This is a Washington State job, and candidates must reside within a reasonable distance of City Hall and be onsite in Bellevue at least 2 day(s) per week.

• Yes, I am interested in a hybrid schedule and available to be onsite 2 or more days per week.
• No, I am interested in a fully remote position.

Required Question

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