Director of Parking Services chez Royal Oak, City of (MI), MI

About the Department

The Director of Parking Services is a parking & mobility professional that provides strategic leadership, management, and direction of the City’s parking system, including on-street parking, off-street surface lots, and municipal parking garages. This role is critical to the City's broader downtown development, business support, and mobility goals articulated in the 2050 Master Land Use Plan. 

This position oversees and evaluates parking system functions including revenue collection, maintenance and repair of parking facilities and equipment, contractor and vendor management, and customer service programs. The Director is also responsible for long-range planning, including annual budget preparation, capital improvement planning, policy development, and establishing performance standards that support a welcoming, safe, and accessible parking environment.

The City may deliver parking services through a combination of city staff and contracted operators; the Director provides oversight of both. While parking enforcement and citation processing are administered by the Police Department, the Director of Parking Services serves as a collaborative partner to ensure system integration, coordinated policies, and a positive experience for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Leadership Profile
The Director of Parking Services is a senior management position with broad authority to establish policies, direct resources, and recommend strategic initiatives to the City Manager. Unlike parking division positions focused on daily operations, this role emphasizes long-term planning, fiscal responsibility, system-wide coordination, and interdepartmental collaboration. The Director is expected to exercise independent judgment, provide policy-level recommendations, and represent the City in regional and professional forums related to parking and mobility.

Position Duties

The Director of Parking Services may be called upon to do any or all of the following: (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)

• Direct the organization, staffing, and operational activities of the City’s parking system to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Develop, implement, and review work plans and performance measures for municipal and contracted parking services.
• Manage contracts with parking system vendors and service providers; establish and monitor performance standards; identify and resolve operational issues.
• Lead the development and administration of parking policies and plans, including parking studies, market analyses, and multimodal transportation strategies.
• Oversee and expand mobility initiatives such as bike sharing, vehicle sharing, shuttle and valet programs, and public electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Prepare and administer the parking system’s operating and capital budgets; monitor revenues and expenditures; prepare regular performance and financial reports.
• Ensure maintenance and repair programs are in place for parking garages, surface lots, meters, pay stations, EV charging stations, and related assets, in coordination with Public Works and contracted providers.
• Research and implement opportunities for operational, technological, and customer service improvements by using data analytics and industry related innovations.
• Oversee parking-related software applications, data systems, and reporting tools; direct the development and implementation of a customer relationship management (CRM) solution.
• Provide regular updates and technical expertise to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), City Commission, and other boards or committees as required.
• Collaborate with other City departments, divisions, and external partners on development initiatives, ensuring parking and mobility considerations are integrated into planning and project approvals.
• Negotiate and administer contracts, fee schedules, and agreements with external parties.
• Ensure regular monitoring of municipal parking assets and integrate parking logistics into construction and development activity.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive business engagement program, including employee parking permit systems and outreach to downtown stakeholders.
• Create and manage a long-term parking fee strategy that balances fiscal sustainability with customer accessibility.

Minimum Qualifications

The Director of Parking Services, upon application, shall have the following training and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university with specialization in Business Administration, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related field preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in directing municipal parking operations
• Education in one or more of the following areas: public parking administration, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Certified Administrator of Public Parking (CAPP) preferred.
• Licenses: Possession of a valid Michigan motor vehicle operator’s license.

• Knowledge of best practices in modern, efficient parking system administration, including operations, maintenance, enforcement coordination, and customer service.
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting and accounting practices and the ability to develop and monitor complex operating and capital budgets.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the issues facing downtown businesses, property owners, community organizations, and public agencies.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across the organization, with business and government representatives, and with members of the community.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage in public speaking, consensus building, and stakeholder facilitation.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and remain well organized and self-motivated.
• Ability and willingness to attend evening and weekend meetings and events as required.

Other Qualifications

Required Application Materials to submit with this application (provide as attachments):

• Resume
• Cover Letter