Assistant City Manager

City-of-Buda,-Tx; Buda (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Buda, TX is seeking an Assistant City Manager to oversee departments, drive service excellence, and uphold integrity as a member of the leadership team.

You will plan, organize, assign, direct, and review activities of professional staff, and represent the City in the City Manager’s absence. A Master’s degree and five years in municipal management are required.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in business administration, public administration, urban or regional planning, finance, or a related field.
• Five years of experience serving in a municipal governmental supervisory or management capacity.

Responsibilities

• Advise City Manager and City Council in carrying out strategic goals and initiatives.
• Lead operations of the City while serving as Assistant City Manager.
• Develop programs necessary to meet department and City goals.
• Coordinate with department directors on new programs and grants.
• Represent the City in meetings and public engagements.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Budgeting

Public relations

Education

Master’s Degree in business administration, public administration, urban or regional planning, finance, or a related field

Job description

The Assistant City Manager is responsible for the executive oversight for assigned departments and serves a key role in ensuring that excellent customer service and responsiveness is provided by all employees. This position functions with a high degree of autonomy and corresponding responsibility and always requires the highest ethical standards and integrity as a representative of the City’s leadership team. This is accomplished by being innovative, planning, organizing, assigning, directing, and reviewing all activities of professional personnel engaged in the administration of the City services. Other duties include serving in the absence of the City Manager and performing all other related duties assigned by the City Manager.The following duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logically assigned to the position.

• Serves as a member of the Leadership Team. Advises the City Manager and City Council in carrying out the strategic goals and initiatives of the City.
• Guides operations of the City while serving as an Assistant City Manager.
• Develops and recommends to the City Manager and City Council program initiatives necessary to meet the goals of the respective departments and of the City in general.
• Confers with and advises department directors in the preparation and implementation of new programs.
• Manages special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
• Coordinates grant writing and reporting activities for the City.
• Provides direction to City departments, offices, programs, and staff regarding how to advance the assigned outcome and its associated strategies and policies, including policy and procedure revisions.
• Carries out the City Manager’s directives regarding interpretation of policies, represents the City Manager in resolving problems and conflicts that may arise in the City and helps establish good management practices.
• Actively collaborates with the City’s partners, including the Buda Economic Development Corporation, Buda Chamber of Commerce, non-profits, and businesses in the City of Buda.
• Assists with the overall preparation of the annual city budget; oversees and assists with the administration of annual budgets for reporting Department.
• Collaboratively integrates, coordinates, and recommends changes; and assists in the establishment of programs, policies, strategies and initiatives for submission to the City Council that will aid in maintaining the financial integrity and service levels of various operations of the City.
• Prepares agenda items for and gives presentations to the City Council and city boards.
• Provides leadership and direction in the development of short and long-range plans and projects of department activities.
• Develops and administers personnel and operational policies and procedures; provides training and direction necessary to increase the productivity and efficiency of personnel and functions.
• Represent the city at area and regional meetings.
• Attend professional development workshops to keep abreast of trends and developments.
• Acts as liaison for the City Council, as directed.
• Responds to inquiries regarding city activities and matters in order to resolve problems or complaints.
• Maintains an effective working relationship with the general public through community relations with various media--television, newspaper, schools, businesses, community, civic and neighborhood organizations/associations.
• Directs the development, presentation, recommendation, and implementation of the various master plans as related to the reporting department and related special projects, including coordination and communication with decision‑making bodies, other departments, agencies and the public.
• Manages, coordinates, and recommends to the City Manager, City Council and other appropriate bodies concerning programs and operations of the City.
• Attends meetings of the City Council and board and commission meetings, as needed, as departmental representative; investigates and reports on matters requiring their action.
• Stays abreast of local, state, and federal legislative initiatives and works with department directors to analyze the effect of proposed legislation.
• Remains available during emergency situations as required.
• Assists with the planning and implementation of community events and festivals.
• Monitors progress toward fiscal and strategic objectives and adjusts plans as necessary.
• Manages and monitors work performance of senior managers including making recommendations on hiring and disciplinary actions, evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals and realigning work and staffing for the department.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Master’s Degree in business administration, public administration, urban or regional planning, finance, or a related field; and five (5) years of experience serving in a municipal governmental supervisory or management capacity.

Special Qualifications:

Certified Public Manager, AICP, GFOAT, CGFO, ICMA-CM, and/or CNU-A desired.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and practices affecting municipal government, including public finance, land use, procurement, economic development, and intergovernmental relations.
• Community and economic development practices, public‑private partnerships, strategic partnerships, incentives, and relationships with business and community organizations.
• Financial and resource management, including municipal budgeting, capital improvement planning, debt management, grants, auditing, and workforce planning.
• Municipal operations and service delivery, including planning and development, infrastructure, water and wastewater, streets and drainage, construction, parks and recreation, libraries, and related public services.
• Principles and practices of public administration, municipal management, organizational development, strategic planning, and resource allocation.
• Public information, executive communications, media relations, community engagement, and stakeholder relations.
• Technology and data governance in local government, including process improvement, performance measurement, cybersecurity, data privacy, risk management, and the responsible use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Skill in:

• Analyzing complex financial and operational issues, researching options, evaluating alternatives, and developing practical recommendations.
• Building working relationships and facilitating collaboration among elected and appointed officials, employees, boards and commissions, agencies, businesses, community organizations, the media, and the public.
• Identifying and implementing process improvements, technology solutions, and service changes, then evaluating their results.

• Preparing and presenting clear executive communications, including staff reports, agenda materials, policies, presentations, and other written materials.

Ability to:

• Adapt to changing priorities and manage complex assignments while balancing service needs, efficiency, risk, accountability, and public trust.
• Communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, build consensus, and work collaboratively with people from varied backgrounds and roles.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making in complex, sensitive, or high‑impact situations.
• Lead and develop managers and employees, support accountability and innovation, and guide organizational change.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive information and matters.
• Translate City Council direction and organizational priorities into policies, programs, projects, and measurable outcomes.