Mary Jane Nirdlinger, ICMA-CM, AICP

Experience

• 

  Mercer County NJ

  Apr 1998 - Dec 1999

  Assistant Planner
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  Sharbell Development Corporation

  Feb 2000 - Oct 2002

  Director of Development

  Primary manager of design and approvals processes for Washington Town Center, Plainsboro Village Center, and the Tapestry at Montgomery in New Jersey. Conducted land, environmental, and utility service due diligence, market use analysis, project cost and product absorption financial planning, oversight of development professionals, and coordination of presentations to town boards and approval agencies.

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  US Coast Guard

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2004

  Facilities Planner

  Managed district planning studies and space studies for the Hawaii and Guam district.

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  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Oct 2004 - Jun 2009

  Managed a two-year University and community planning process for UNC Chapel Hill for a new, sustainable campus at Carolina North and obtained Board of Trustees approval of the plan in September, 2007.Initiated a “green” redesign of Carolina Commons, a 166 unit residential faculty-staff development for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Managed design and approval process in the Town of Carrboro.

  • Land Use and Development Planner

    Apr 2008 - Jun 2009

  • Land Use Planner

    Oct 2004 - Apr 2008
• 

  Town of Chapel Hill, NC

  Jun 2009 - now

  Designed and led the town’s internal strategic planning effort. Redesigned departments’ business planning and coordinated a system of performance metrics, analysis, and reporting. Represented the Town Manager during the design and implementation of the Priority Based Budgeting System. Facilitated and participated in internal restructuring of the Town’s development services, its planning department, and its organizational effectiveness functions. Serves as a key adviser to the Town Manager on the development and implementation of town-wide initiatives, town-gown efforts, and community partnerships. Mentors Town staff and identifies opportunities to grow and develop internal leadership talent. Show less

  • Interim Town Manager

    Jan 2025 - now

  • Deputy Town Manager

    Apr 2021 - Jan 2025

  • Assistant Town Manager

    Mar 2017 - Apr 2021

  • Executive Director - Office of Planning and Sustainability

    Jan 2014 - Mar 2017

  • Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives

    Jul 2012 - Jun 2014

  • Assistant Planning Director

    Jun 2009 - Jul 2012
• 

  UNC School of Government

  Jan 2017 - now

  Instructor

  Train local government employees across North Carolina on supervisor skills, communications, and decision-making.

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  Freelance (Self employed)

  Jan 2019 - now

  Plain Language Writer, Editor, and Workshop Leader

  I occasionally provide editorial services, individual coaching, and training for plain language skills. My focus is predominantly local government and academia.