The Position
The City of Eugene is seeking an experienced, proactive, and collaborative leader to serve as the Building and Permit Services (BPS) Division Manager. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of the Planning and Development Department (PDD), this pivotal position leads the department’s largest operational division and plays an essential role on both the PDD Leadership Team and across the organization in support of the City's housing, livability, and sustainable economic development goals. The Division Manager serves as a crucial leader in turning these priorities into reality by facilitating a diverse spectrum of housing and commercial development options for the community and creating economic prosperity.
Operating functionally with a division director’s scope, the Division Manager leads a comprehensive municipal development services division that includes professional, technical, and front-line personnel. The division’s core operational responsibilities encompass plan checking and building permit review and approval, field building inspections, business licensing, the rental housing program, comprehensive code compliance, and the daily administration and operations of the City’s central Permit and Information Center (PIC). Strategically managing division resources, the position administers the enterprise fund budget, forecasts staffing needs, and evaluates program performance. The Division Manager leads workforce planning, training, and performance management within a union-represented environment, fostering constructive labor relations and embedding equity and inclusion principles to ensure services are accessible and responsive to all community members.
Serving as an operational bridge between executive leadership, City Council policies, and community development needs, the Division Manager provides technical and administrative counsel to the City Manager, City Council, and advisory bodies. The role oversees high-volume operational workflows and triage, balancing customer expectations for timeliness with unwavering safety standards while safeguarding review queues so major projects do not delay standard permits. The leader regularly engages with industry groups and the public, resolves sensitive inquiries, and facilitates collaborative problem-solving between applicants and staff.
The Division Manager coordinates work planning and process mapping across Planning and Development, Public Works, Fire/EMS, and Information System Services (ISD) to deliver a predictable and efficient development review process.
The ideal candidate is an authentic, forward-thinking, and operationally grounded leader who pairs executive presence with extensive experience in leading technical and operational teams in complex service delivery to the community. Bringing a people-centered perspective to empower teams and cultivate a supportive, high-trust workplace culture centered on mutual accountability, collaboration, open communication and excellent community service. As an innovative and resourceful problem solver the next Division Manager brings expertise in regulatory code enforcement and operational business management while understanding how to balance regulatory compliance and customer expectations.
A skilled collaborator and consensus builder, the ideal candidate brings strong political acumen, diplomatic advocacy, and the confidence to articulate operational realities and sound technical standards while navigating stakeholder input and leading innovation where possible. Experience navigating collective bargaining agreements and leading union-represented operational workgroups and a demonstrated track record of building positive, productive labor-management relations is essential. The Division Manager is a proactive systems thinker who embraces continuous technological improvement, specifically in guiding enterprise workflows and collaborating with technical teams to enhance proprietary systems. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic, high-volume environment and builds credibility through transparent interactions and consistent follow-through.
Qualifications
At least six years of professional experience in the design, construction, and inspection of public, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, or planning and development, including at least three years of supervisory responsibility. Demonstrated ability to lead complex operational permitting and inspection functions is essential. Experience overseeing multidisciplinary teams across plan review, field inspection, customer service, and code compliance in a medium-to-large jurisdiction is highly desirable, as is five or more years of experience managing large groups or teams.
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in architecture, civil engineering, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field is required. Practical familiarity with Oregon or Pacific Northwest land use, statutory codes, and municipal frameworks is highly preferred. Any combination of experience and training that is likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities qualifies.
The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for the Building and Permit Services Division Manager is $132,683 – $179,088. The City of Eugene is committed to supporting employee well-being through a holistic approach that recognizes the connection between work, home, and community life. Because well-being extends beyond the workplace, the City offers a variety of programs, resources, and benefits designed to support employees both professionally and personally. For more information about benefits, visit: Benefits at a Glance.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at raftelis.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position is open until filled. For full consideration, please apply by November 16, 2026.
