The Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC), the regional land use and transportation planning agency for New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, is seeking to fill the position of Executive Director beginning April 30, 2024.
The Executive Director’s role offers candidates an exceptional opportunity to lead a dynamic planning organization in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The LRPC is one of nine regional planning commissions in the state.
The Search Committee is seeking a highly qualified, outstanding Executive Director to lead the evolution of the LRPC, to continue the exemplary work of the Commission, to meet future needs of its member communities and the region, and to position the organization to meet these needs.
Above all, the successful candidate will demonstrate the desire and ability to lead, motivate, and support the committed group of highly skilled, professional members of its staff. He or she will have demonstrated capabilities in interpersonal, communications, technical and management areas. These are necessary to develop the agency’s vision, strategies, organization, and relationships with member communities to lead the LRPC in successfully adapting to a changing environment for regional planning commissions.
He or she will also have the know how to sustain and develop successful relationships with member municipalities and with external stakeholders – including state and federal agencies, and other public and private regional organizations – and to maintain the LRPC’s standing as a respected and influential voice in the Lakes Region and in New Hampshire’s planning community. Job responsibilities include representing the agency on, and participating in, external organizations as needed to represent the interests of the region.
Authorized by State statute, the LRPC serves in an advisory role to local governments to promote coordinated planning, orderly growth, efficient land use, transportation access, economic development, and environmental protection. The agency serves 30 communities, including all of Belknap County and parts of Grafton, Carroll, and Merrimack Counties, which voluntarily join the Commission and appoint its representatives. In aggregate, member communities have a population of over 125,000. The region encompasses municipalities on New Hampshire’s largest lakes, as well as the many growing communities surrounding them. The region is very accessible and offers a high quality of life.
Candidates must possess, unless otherwise determined by the Search Committee, a bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field. A master’s degree and AICP certification are preferred. Additional requirements shall include a demonstrated collaborative experience working with staff, community leaders, and the public to identify and achieve practicable solutions on local and regional issues. Eight or more years in multi-discipline public sector planning, including four years of progressively responsible managerial experience with a governmental planning agency or consulting firm operating within the public services space. Please see lakesrpc.nh.gov/aboutemployment.asp for specific qualifications and responsibilities.
Compensation, including a comprehensive benefits package, will be competitive with comparable positions in New Hampshire and based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. To apply, send a letter of interest and resume via email by close of business on March 29, 2024 to John Ayer, Chair, LRPC Executive Director Search Committee at LRPCExecutiveDirectorSearch@lakesrpc.nh.gov.