Public policy Jobs in Gilbert, AZ

Community And Housing Services Director

The City of Mesa, Arizona, is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as its next Community and Housing Services Director.

Located in the heart of the East Valley within the Phoenix metropolitan area, Mesa is Arizona's third-largest city and one of the nation's largest cities, home to more than 510,000 residents across approximately 139 square miles. Mesa combines the amenities of a major metropolitan community with the character of welcoming neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown, rich agricultural heritage, and a thriving innovation corridor. The city's diverse landscape includes major healthcare systems, higher education institutions, two airports, advanced manufacturing and technology campuses, and a diverse and resilient economy creating a dynamic environment for public safety and public service leadership.

The Community and Housing Services Department encompasses a broad range of services, including housing, community development, neighborhood and cultural engagement, human services, civil rights compliance, accessibility initiatives, and animal control.

The City of Mesa is an entitlement city regarding Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. The department administers federally funded housing assistance and community development programs; leads neighborhood engagement, homeless response, and human services initiatives; advances diversity and accessibility efforts, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and provides animal control services that balance education, enforcement, public safety, and community well-being. The department also coordinates with City departments and external partners to address complex community needs and deliver responsive, equitable, and effective services.

The Community and Housing Services Director is appointed by the City Manager. Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, the Director provides strategic leadership for departmental operations, policy development, organizational performance, federal grant administration, community partnerships, and long-range planning while advancing City Council priorities and organizational goals.

The Director serves as a strategic advisor to the City Manager's Office and provides executive analysis, policy recommendations, and organizational leadership on matters related to community services, housing, human services, neighborhood development, diversity and accessibility, animal control, and federal grant administration. The Director develops and implements innovative approaches to improve service delivery, evaluates results, and presents recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, and City Management. The Director also represents the City on departmental policy and program matters and cultivates effective relationships with residents, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, regional partners, and other community stakeholders to advance shared priorities and strengthen public trust.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic, collaborative, and community-focused leader with the ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary operations and advance City Council and organizational priorities. Strong communication, relationship-building, problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills are essential; along with the ability to build effective partnerships with residents, community organizations, governmental agencies, and City leadership. The successful candidate will be forward-thinking and innovative, with a demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into effective programs and measurable results while fostering a high-performing and inclusive organization.

Minimum Qualifications Required: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible managerial, supervisory, and administrative experience. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in one or more areas related to housing, community development, human services, neighborhood services, federal grant programs, or a closely related municipal service area; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in: Public or Business Administration, Sociology, Social Work, or a related field.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications: A Master's Degree in: Public or Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English is desirable. Five (5) years or more of experience in management or executive leadership capacity with responsibility for strategic planning, budget administration, organizational leadership, and personnel management is highly desirable. Experience in one or more areas related to housing, community development, human services, neighborhood services, federal grant programs, or a closely related municipal service area is highly desirable. Experience leading multiple service areas or complex, multidisciplinary municipal operations is also highly desirable.

The annual salary range for the Community and Housing Services Director is $150,217.60 to $202,176. Placement within the range is negotiable and dependent upon qualifications.

The City of Mesa offers attractive benefits, including:

• 4 day 10-hour/day work week (M-Th 7 a.m.-6 p.m.)
• 11 holidays per year
• 96 hours of vacation annually for the first two years, increasing to 144 hours after year two, with additional increases based on years of service continuing up to 20+ years
• 40 hours of discretionary time granted as a new hire, 30 hours of discretionary time thereafter
• 96 hours of sick time annually
• Executive physical and 1.5x salary life insurance
• Variety of medical insurance plans for all full-time Mesa employees and their dependents
• Lifetime health insurance benefits for retirees who have worked for at least 20 years for the city
• Mesa has a wellness center (primary and preventive care) at no cost for employees and their dependents enrolled in a city medical plan
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Group life insurance
• Flexible benefits plan to meet the employees' needs
• Deferred compensation program, including employer participation with a minimum of one-year of service
• Arizona State Retirement System

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a cover letter, rsum, and completed application no later than Monday September 21, 2026, to be included in the first review of applications.

First Round interviews may be completed in the week of September 28, 2026.