Director of Housing and Community Development – Town of Chapel Hill, NC

Job closes February 4, 2026

• Are you a collaborative leader who can build trust, support staff growth, and guide a team through growth and change?
• Can you turn ambitious affordable housing plans into action while working closely with internal teams and consultants to reposition housing for the future?
• Do you excel at building strong relationships with community stakeholders to advance shared housing and development goals?

If this sounds like you, the vibrant and progressive Town of Chapel Hill invites you to apply for the Director of Housing and Community Development. The Director provides executive leadership and leads a mission-driven team dedicated to creating “a vibrant and inclusive community where all residents have access to affordable housing and opportunities to thrive.” This role offers an opportunity to provide steady, strategic leadership, guide staff through change, and foster a high‑performing, collaborative culture.

The Director will lead both public and affordable housing challenges, support affordable housing redevelopment projects, and help expand housing opportunities in line with the Town’s vision of a Complete Community.

The Town of Chapel Hill was established in 1793 to support the University of North Carolina (UNC), the Nation's first public University. This thriving, multicultural university community has a population of about 62,000 and frequently appears in national “best place to live” listings. As home to the Nation's first public institution of higher learning and a lively and successful Tar Heel sports program, Chapel Hill is a picturesque community of 21 square miles filled with trees, historic and mid-century architecture, and a thriving downtown.

Located less than three hours from beautiful beaches and mountains and 30 minutes from RDU airport, Chapel Hill is part of the rapidly urbanizing Research Triangle region. It is a recognized pioneer in education, research, and innovation—a place where ideas are born. Home to brilliant minds, award‑winning restaurants, innovative businesses, highly rated public schools, museums, galleries, festivals, athletic events, and a vibrant music and performing arts scene, community members and visitors have abundant opportunities in this creative Town.

The Town's fare‑free transit system, one of the first in the Nation, provides community members with accessible transportation.

Demographically, Chapel Hill's racial composition ("Census.gov") is 67% white, 13% Asian, and 11% black. About 7% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median income is $85,825, and the average home price is $576,500. Over 75% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree, and 45% have a master's degree or higher.

The Town's mission is Learning, Serving, and Working Together to Build a Community Where People Thrive. Our organization's RESPECT values (Responsibility, Equity, Safety, Professionalism, Ethics, Communication, and Teamwork) are the basis for our choices. They are reflected in our behavior and decisions every day. They are our compass as we accomplish our mission and objectives. As a result, residents have consistently rated Chapel Hill as "high-performing" in biennial community surveys.

In the past three years, the Town has transitioned to a five‑year budget outlook aimed at ensuring organization‑wide sustainability and economic resiliency. The Town consistently wins awards for its annual budget and financial report.

The Town operates under a Council‑Manager form of government, with the Town Manager reporting to a nine‑member Town Council, led by the Mayor, and who are all elected at‑large. The Town Manager works with the Council to carry out their strategic priorities. Chapel Hill's strategic focus for the future is guided by the community vision established in the Chapel Hill 2020 Comprehensive Plan, refined with our 2023 Complete Community framework.

The Town Council will be refining and refocusing their strategic vision in early 2026, which will guide departmental business plans and strategic initiatives.

The Town prides itself on equitable community engagement. It offers multiple ways for…