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Director of Design and Development
City of La Quinta / La Quinta, CA
Posted on: August 9, 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Job Description
Nestled between the Santa Rosa and San Bernardino Mountains in the Coachella Valley, La Quinta (pop.~39,000 permanent residents + ~15,000 seasonal) continues to live up to its nickname: The Gem of the Desert. La Quinta seeks a Director of Design & Development to lead a department supported by a FY 2025-26 operating budget of $5.4million and 21 staff members. The department includes planning, building, and The Hub (a one-stop shop for permits).
La Quinta seeks a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial leader who sets high standards and is committed to delivering exceptional service. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, people-focused professional who finds fulfillment in developing teams and building strong relationships across the organization and community. A strategic, customer-centric mindset and a proactive approach to aligning priorities with the City’s long-term goals are essential to success in this high-performing environment.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
Competitive candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, or a related discipline and possess five years of increasingly responsible experience in a comparable setting, including three years of leadership experience. In-depth familiarity with contemporary urban planning principles is expected.
Application Instructions
Following the closing date, resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria articulated in this brochure. Applicants with the most relevant qualifications will immediately be granted preliminary interviews by the consultants. A small group of candidates will be invited to participate in interviews in La Quinta. The City anticipates making an appointment shortly thereafter, following the completion of negotiations and extensive background and reference checks. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process and, at that time, will be done in close coordination with the candidate impacted.
