This is an outstanding opportunity to provide leadership and management to a newly-created Community Development Department in a premier growing community which exhibits a high quality of life.  The City of Leawood, Kansas, (population 27,656 in 2000 US Census) is a well-planned community with very high development standards that is facing some challenges of new development and redevelopment.  Leawood is located in a suburban area approximately 10 miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. It has all of the amenities of a smaller, high-end community with ready access to the amenities of a large urban area.  The successful candidate for the Community Development Director position for the City of Leawood is required to possess a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography or Public Administration and eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, community development or a related field. A person who possesses a Master’s degree in Public Administration and one who has kept abreast of changes in his/her field is highly desirable. A person with an AICP is preferred. It is preferred that the successful individual possess current or recent related management oversight experience in more than one area of responsibility.  Skills and abilities desired of the successful candidate for Community Development Director include proven leadership ability, highly developed management and supervisory skills, excellent verbal and written communications skills, speaking and negotiating ability, well-developed interpersonal skills and abilities, ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines, a team player and someone who understands departmental rules and regulations and can apply them in a reasonable and effective manner.  Responsibilities of the Community Development Director of the City of Leawood include general oversight of the City’s planning, building codes and neighborhood services divisions, including future development responsibilities. The Community Development Department currently consists of 15.79 FTE staff which is highly capable and experienced. The Community Development Director coordinates development, implementation, and administration of the City’s land use and zoning, comprehensive planning, building codes, property maintenance, environmental and health ordinances and programs. The successful candidate for this important position prepares and administers the budget of the Community Development Department, currently at $1.2 million annually. The appointed candidate selects, supervises and trains Departmental staff and is responsible for their development. The Community Development Director is also responsible for coordination and oversight of the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission activities and meetings. The Community Development Director provides administrative support to the City Administrator and serves as an integral part of the City’s Management Team. The City of Leawood, Kansas, a suburban community in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, is located in northeast Johnson County. The City covers 14.7 square miles and resembles an elongated rectangle running north/south. Interstate-435 and the K-150 highway corridor both cross the City. I-435 is just north and K-150 just south of the center of the community.  The City of Leawood is bordered on three sides by the cities of Overland Park and Prairie Village, Kansas, and on the fourth side by Kansas City, Missouri. Leawood is located approximately 10 miles southwest of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The City’s land area is approximately 75 percent developed and growth is expected to continue in the future. The City of Leawood operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor is elected at-large on a non-partisan basis and serves a four-year term.  The eight City Council members are elected on a non-partisan basis from four wards.  The Governing Body, which develops policy and provides direction for the professional City staff, appoints a City Administrator to perform the day-to-day management of City services. The City Administrator hires directors for the City Departments. The starting salary for the new Community Development Director of Leawood will be market competitive depending upon the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. The expected starting salary range in $95,000 to $105,000 per annum plus an excellent fringe benefits package.  Reasonable relocation expenses will be paid by the City for the successful candidate.  For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at 505-466-9500;  mercer@mindspring.com. Confidential resumes should be sent by close of business February 11, 2008, to  James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 551 W. Cordova Road, #726, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Voice: 505-466-9500; Fax: 505-466-1274. E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com; Website:      www.mercergroupinc.com. Position open until filled.  The City of Leawood is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Minority and Female Candidates are Encouraged to Apply.