Deputy Director

Job Title: Deputy Director

Closing Date: June 26, 2026

Salary: $103,658 to $161,247 (DOQ)

Job Purpose

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) is seeking qualified applicants for its newly created Deputy Director position. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to help shape the direction of a growing, forward‑thinking regional agency. As the primary operational partner to the Executive Director, the Deputy Director will play a central role in advancing the agency’s strategic vision and strengthening its capacity to serve communities across our bi‑state metropolitan region.

Essential Job Duties

• Maintains cooperation, coordination and communication among member jurisdictions, elected officials, and the public.
• Maintains clear, effective communication, both verbal and written, with the Council of Officials, Board of Directors, Executive Director, staff and public.
• Directs and oversees the development, communication and advancement of program activities through interaction with advisory committees, community organizations, planning professionals, elected officials and the public.
• Provides expert advice, support, and coordination to the Executive Director and Board of Directors in the development, implementation, and enforcement of agency policies and procedures including financial management, reporting, travel, legal, purchasing and procurement.
• Serves as Title VI and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator through MAPA’s Civil Rights Policy and directing compliance activities across agency departments in areas including financial management, open meetings, open records, and reporting.
• Develops and implements an information technology strategy for MAPA, including maintenance and replacement of agency equipment, cybersecurity, compliance, and securing software services to support all internal and external functions of MAPA. Evaluates and monitors implementation of the strategy in line with agency needs.
• Leads agency‑wide implementation of MAPA’s Strategic Plan in coordination with the Executive Director. Develops strategies for measuring agency’s impact through administrative data, timekeeping, and reporting for internal and external communication. Develop a fiscal strategy in coordination with the Executive Director to resource agency functions and provide support to member agencies.
• Supports the Executive Director and Director of Administration in evaluating and updating job descriptions, compensation, providing human resources support to cultivate and support a thriving, collaborative working environment across the agency.
• Oversees training, mentoring, and leading agency staff to achieve administrative standards and goals. Facilitates the development of professional development plans for staff in coordination with department managers.
• Executes all responsibilities of the Executive Director, as directed, in their absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Masters degree in urban planning, public administration, public finance, or a related field with at least ten years of progressing governmental management experience, or a combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job.
• Knowledge of collaborative approaches to local government services such as Councils of Government, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Economic Development Districts.
• Knowledge and compliance with the laws, regulations, principles, methods, and ethics of federal, state, and local government.
• Knowledge of public agency financial management including grants and contract administration, internal controls, and external audit.
• Experience in applying technical skills to research, analyze and develop policy recommendations for decision‑support and the advancement of organizational goals.
• Experience leading, developing, training, and mentoring others from a diverse background while fostering a positive, proactive, team‑supporting, and mission‑focused environment.
• Advanced skills with project management, team‑building, and duty delegation in a demanding, multitask‑oriented environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to articulate a wide range of complex and technical subject matter in both small and large group settings and with diverse groups of people including agency staff, Board members, collaborating agencies, federal, state, and local officials, and the general public.
• Professionalism in communications, appearance, relationships, and responsiveness.
• Ability to work with minimal direct supervision and to meet assignment deadlines.
• Ability to develop innovative approaches and ideas while adhering to presiding laws, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, address competing demands, delays or unexpected situations, prioritize multiple tasks, complete tasks on time, and respond in a timely manner to requests for service and assistance.
• Proficient with Google Suite and Microsoft Office products.
• Commitment to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive, non‑public information.

Physical Demands

• Normal office work.
• Light work (lift 10 lbs).
• Employee frequently sits for extended periods and uses hands to operate computer keyboard, telephone, and basic office equipment.
• Employee regularly required to talk and hear.
• Ability to drive company‑owned or personal vehicles.

Cognitive Requirements

• Reading, writing, calculating.
• Social interaction skills.
• Reasoning/analysis.
• Works with minimal supervision.

Benefits

• Major medical insurance.
• Dental & vision insurance.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Health savings account (HSA).
• Paid annual leave and sick leave.
• 13.5 paid federal holidays.
• Employer contributions to retirement.
• Heartland B‑Cycle corporate membership.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement & professional development.
• Flexible scheduling.
• Employer‑paid life insurance & long‑term disability.

MAPA is the Council of Governments serving a six‑county region (Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties in Nebraska and Mills and Pottawattamie Counties in Iowa). MAPA performs work related to planning, community development, and transportation and other issues of regional significance. MAPA also serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), or Transportation Management Area (TMA) for Douglas and Sarpy Counties in Nebraska and the western‑most portion of Pottawattamie County in Iowa. This position will have the opportunity to help shape the future by working on core issues that impact the vibrancy of the Omaha‑Council Bluffs metro area and its surrounding communities.

MAPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. For more information on MAPA see our website

ADA/ADAAA

MAPA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendments.