As Urbandale’s next Community Development Director, you’ll steer how our city grows—plans, standards, and the full development experience—so projects are high-quality, sustainable, and aligned with long-term community goals. You’ll lead Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement and work shoulder-to-shoulder with Economic Development and peers across the organization to create true cross-department synergies—leveraging people and resources wherever they sit to turn good ideas into built outcomes. If you’re energized by fast-paced, cross-functional teamwork and the chance to influence a city’s trajectory, this role is for you.
Join our team and help shape the future of Urbandale.
Target Audience
- Experienced Directors with budget ownership and Council-facing experience.
- High-performing Assistant/Deputy Directors ready for the top seat—with enterprise-scale exposure, cross-department leadership, and ownership of complex initiatives.
- Seasoned public presenters comfortable briefing City Council, boards/commissions, and community stakeholders on high-visibility items.
- Pros who’ve modernized codes/guidelines and balanced design quality with delivery expectations.
Notable Opportunities
- Department Leadership: Planning, Building Inspections, and Code Enforcement—budget, people, performance, and culture
- Steward the Comprehensive Plan and collaborate with the City Manager’s Office and Economic Development on the Downtown Plan.
- Green & Sustainable Growth: Embed sustainability in standards, incentives, and day-to-day development review.
- Cross-Functional Delivery: Coordinate with the City Manager’s Office, Engineering and Public Works, Fire, Legal, and Economic Development to solution real-world tradeoffs quickly.
Why This Role Matters
A Strategic Lever for the City
Land use, design standards, and the development pipeline are among the strongest levers a city has. This role uses them to shape neighborhoods, drive investment, and advance sustainability—while giving residents confidence that growth is thoughtful and well-built. You’ll co-architect the future with your team and fellow department directors—pressure-testing concepts, aligning incentives, and structuring pathways that turn bold ideas into projects that add durable value for residents and businesses.
The Road Ahead
What Success Looks Like
Twelve months in, you've developed a framework for Urbandale's westward growth. Colleagues across the city know you as the connector who convenes the right room, right away. You’ll cement a find-the-path mindset—we honor the regulations and still get to yes through smarter options and tighter coordination. Outcome: projects move with confidence, collaboration is habit, and Urbandale’s standing in the metro rises—because residents can see the difference.
The Secret Sauce
The Leadership Profile We’re After
Big-picture judgment will help set you apart. You see the whole system—policy, finance, design—and make calls that connect today’s decisions to long-term value. You know the code may read black-and-white, but implementation lives in shades of gray. Above all, you're seen as a trusted partner: developers, designers, residents, and staff see you as fair, dependable, and solutions-oriented.
Collaborative Culture
The Work, Honestly
Local government is a team sport—and in Urbandale, you'll play to unlock investment. This is a visible, high-trust role where you’ll navigate tradeoffs quickly, spot trends early, and bring workable, code-compliant solutions that move projects forward. You won’t wait for direction; you’ll inform and shape it—partnering with the City Manager's Office on strategy so the department leads from the front, not the back. You will navigate competing interests, occasional heat, and real deadlines. Some evenings. Public scrutiny. Complex sites. You’ll also have a strong leadership team beside you, and a city that wants to do things the right way. We take the work seriously—but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
Apply NowThe Leadership Team
The City of Urbandale operates under a Council–Manager form of government, and at the center of day-to-day operations is a talented group of Department Directors who lead every corner of the organization. These Directors oversee the full range of municipal services—they are seasoned professionals who not only manage their teams and budgets, but also bring vision and expertise to the City’s biggest initiatives.
As Urbandale's next Community Development Director, you’ll be a core member of this leadership team. You will lead Planning, Building Inspections, and Code Enforcement; and help steward the Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Plan. You’ll exercise judgment where the code is black-and-white but the world is gray—holding standards firm while enabling solutions that create greater value for residents. You’ll set expectations, remove friction across departments, and model decisive, big-picture leadership that keeps Urbandale moving forward.
David has over 25 years of local government management experience, receiving a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Curtis Brown is Urbandale’s Assistant City Manager. Prior to this position, Brown worked as the Economic Development Director/Assistant Director for the City of Ankeny. He also held positions as the Executive Director of the Mason City Economic Development Corporation and Community Development Director/Assistant City Administrator for Blue Earth, Minnesota. Brown has a BA Magna cum Laude from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He will complete an MPA from Southern Utah University in 2025. Originally from the Saint Paul, Minnesota area, Curtis resides in Urbandale with his wife Rachel and four sons.
John leads the Engineering & Public Works Department, overseeing the infrastructure and essential services that keep the city moving every day. His team manages everything from street design, traffic flow, and stormwater systems to snow removal, garbage collection, and fleet services. John joined the City of Urbandale in 2003 and is known for combining technical expertise with a practical, down-to-earth approach—whether it’s delivering complex capital improvement projects or responding quickly to community needs. By blending long-term planning with day-to-day service excellence, he helps make Urbandale a well-connected, resilient, and thriving community.
Aaron is Urbandale’s Director of Economic Development. Previously, DeJong was the Director of Economic Development of the City of Louisville, Colorado. DeJong has also held positions in the Economic Development Department of Dubuque, Iowa, and Coralville, Iowa. He has a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and a MA from the University of Iowa.
Nicci’s expertise ensures that Urbandale continues to deliver excellent services while maintaining one of the lowest municipal tax rates in Iowa. Known for her commitment to accuracy, transparency, and long-term financial stewardship, she plays a central role in keeping Urbandale fiscally strong and positioned for future growth.
John leads Urbandale’s Risk Management & Support Services, overseeing the systems and safeguards that keep the City operating smoothly and securely. With a detail-driven approach and a deep knowledge of municipal operations, John ensures that Urbandale’s employees, assets, and resources are protected. His leadership helps the City minimize risks, maximize efficiency, and maintain the high standard of service delivery that residents expect.
The City of Urbandale is committed to providing the highest quality of public service possible. To that end, we are dedicated to both the hiring and developing of city employees who share in this commitment of service to the residents of Urbandale. All employees are important members of the city team and we do our best to ensure that we hire the best available candidates while promoting equality of opportunity.
Derek has spent more than 15 years helping governments and non-profits communicate with purpose, clarity, and confidence—especially when the information is complex and the critics are loud. At heart, he’s a public servant who believes that good design, clear messaging, and smart marketing are essential for strong communities and organizational success. And when done well, we help people make informed decisions that enrich their lives.
Nicholas leads efforts to connect residents of all ages with knowledge, technology, and community experiences. Under his direction, the Library provides dynamic programming, digital resources, cultural events, and spaces that foster learning and connection. Nicholas oversees a dedicated team that champions literacy, lifelong learning, and equitable access to information for all. With a vision for the library as both a cornerstone of education and a hub of community life, he is guiding the Urbandale Public Library into its next chapter as an innovative, welcoming space for discovery and engagement.
James leads Urbandale’s Information Technology Department, ensuring that the City’s digital infrastructure is secure, reliable, and future-ready. He oversees the systems, networks, and tools that empower every City department to serve residents efficiently and effectively.
Jan brings both vision and experience to her role as Urbandale’s Parks & Recreation Director. A lifelong athlete, Jan played college basketball on scholarship, and later competed professionally in Germany, where her team won the national championship. After returning to the U.S., she turned her passion for the game into a 15-year career as a referee, working across four Division I conferences and the WNBA—including courts as iconic as Madison Square Garden and the Forum in Los Angeles. Jan is currently one of the longest tenured Directors in Urbandale, with more than 27 years of experience. Today, Jan channels that same competitive spirit, teamwork, and drive for excellence into expanding Urbandale’s park system, recreation programs, and quality of life for residents.
Rob Johansen serves as Urbandale’s Chief of Police, leading a nationally accredited department dedicated to safety, trust, and community partnership. Under his direction, the Urbandale Police Department provides a full range of law enforcement services with a focus on transparency, accountability, and proactive engagement with residents. Chief Johansen oversees a team of highly trained officers and staff committed to protecting life and property, preventing crime, and strengthening community relationships. His leadership ensures that Urbandale remains one of the safest and most welcoming communities in the metro.
As Urbandale’s City Clerk, Nicole Lunders ensures the transparency, accuracy, and accessibility of the City’s official records. She manages the legislative process for the Mayor and City Council, prepares agendas and minutes, oversees public notices, and safeguards the City’s vital documents. Nicole also administers licensing, elections support, and records requests, helping residents engage easily with their local government. With a commitment to precision and public service, Nicole plays a key role in maintaining the integrity and accountability of Urbandale’s decision-making processes.
Michael Cardwell holds the positions of Fire Chief/Emergency Preparedness Director for the City of Urbandale. Cardwell has been instrumental in implementing several successful emergency preparedness initiatives in Urbandale and the Des Moines Metropolitan Area. He helped lead the planning and construction of Urbandale’s FAST (Fire and Safety Training) facility, a cutting-edge site that advances training for emergency responders, and spearheaded regional partnerships including the Central Iowa Fire/EMS Testing Consortium and the Polk County Regional Mass Casualty Incident Plan. Chief Cardwell holds a master’s degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University and has earned the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer designation. Throughout his career he’s championed the importance of training and education and lectured at numerous state and national conferences. With over 25 years of command-level experience in the firefighting profession, Chief Cardwell’s extensive background and expertise have earned him recognition as a leader in the field. His commitment to excellence and innovative approach to fire safety, training, and prevention make him a standout leader.
Urbandale is more than just where you’ll work — it’s where you’ll want to stay, play, and build a life.
95
of residents rate Urbandale as an excellent or good place to live.
96
of residents rank Urbandale as an excellent or good place to raise children.
93
of residents rank the overall quality of life in Urbandale as excellent or good.
97
of residents report feeling safe in their neighborhood during the day.
50
parks and 40+ playgrounds are located in Urbandale.
57
miles of paved recreation trails are in Urbandale.