Assistant City Manager

City of Farmington Hills; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Farmington Hills seeks an accomplished executive leader to join the City Manager’s leadership team, overseeing city government operations and advancing the City’s Strategic Plan.

This role directs multiple departments, guides policy, budgets and organizational development, and partners with council and residents to deliver high-quality public services.

Qualifications

• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or comparable public-sector administration.
• Experience leading programs, departments or major organizational initiatives.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Assist City Manager in administering City government per City Charter and policy.
• Coordinate implementation of Strategic Plan and priorities; set responsibilities and measures of progress.
• Monitor city priorities, projects, risks and resources; report significant matters to City Manager.
• Provide executive coordination across departments and ensure accountability and follow-through.
• Advise on operational, fiscal, organizational and policy matters; represent City Manager when designated.
• Provide direction and support to department directors; foster collaboration and improved public service.
• Lead or oversee major capital, redevelopment and service-improvement initiatives.
• Work with Finance on budgets and fiscal impact of initiatives; align priorities with funding.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Public administration

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, public policy, finance, urban planning, organizational leadership or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Under the general direction of the City Manager, serves as a member of the executive leadership team and assists in the administration and strategic direction of City government. Provides leadership and oversight for assigned departments, functions and major initiatives. Coordinates action across departments to advance City Council priorities, the City’s Strategic Plan and the City Manager’s administrative direction.
Works with department directors to set responsibilities, monitor progress, resolve implementation barriers and improve service delivery. Advises the City Manager on complex operational, fiscal, organizational and policy matters and acts on behalf of the City Manager when designated. Models the City’s values of Excellence, Integrity, Collaboration, Customer Focused and Innovation.

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists the City Manager in administering City government in accordance with the City Charter, applicable law, City policy and collective bargaining agreements. Directs assigned departments, programs or functions within authority delegated by the City Manager.
2. Coordinates implementation of the City’s Strategic Plan and City Council and City Manager priorities. Works with directors to establish responsibilities, schedules and measures of progress.
3. Monitors Citywide priorities, assigned departmental commitments and major projects. Identifies delays, risks and resource needs; facilitates corrective action; and reports significant matters to the City Manager.
4. Leads work involving multiple departments, promotes timely information sharing and resolves issues that require executive coordination. Maintains clear accountability for decisions and follow-through.
5. Provides direction, consultation and support to assigned department directors and other leaders on operational and strategic matters. Encourages effective management, collaboration and improved public service.
6. Leads or provides executive oversight for major capital, redevelopment, service improvement and organizational initiatives assigned by the City Manager. Coordinates participating departments and outside partners as appropriate.
7. Identifies opportunities to simplify processes, improve customer service, use technology effectively and evaluate results. Leads assigned changes in coordination with affected departments.
8. Works with the City Manager, Finance Director and department leaders on operating and capital budgets and the financial effects of major initiatives. Promotes prudent use of public resources and alignment of priorities with available funding.
9. Partners with Human Resources and department leaders to assess workforce capacity, leadership needs, succession risks and organizational structure. Supports leadership development while respecting departmental responsibilities.
10. Sets expectations, coaches, evaluates performance and addresses performance concerns for assigned direct reports, consistent with delegated authority and City policy.
11. Prepares, reviews and presents objective reports, analysis and recommendations for the City Manager and City Council. Helps ensure that Council receives accurate, understandable information in time for informed consideration.
12. Represents the City Manager at meetings with public agencies, community organizations, businesses, residents and professional groups as assigned. Builds productive working relationships and communicates the City’s administrative position accurately.
13. Coordinates with Human Resources, legal counsel and other City leaders on significant labor and employee relations matters. Participates in collective bargaining or labor-management discussions when assigned by the City Manager.
14. Chairs the City’s Defined Contribution Retirement Committee (DCRC), with the Human Resources Director serving as Co-Chair. As a voting member, participates in the DCRC’s duties as trustee of the Defined Contribution Plan trust, including administration, management and proper operation of the Plan and interpretation and implementation of its provisions. Leads committee meetings and coordinates committee work in accordance with the City Council-adopted policy, governing plan documents and applicable law.
15. Monitors legislative, regulatory and governmental developments affecting City operations and coordinates analysis and responses with responsible departments.
16. Helps resolve complex, escalated or cross-department service concerns and supports responsive communication with residents and other customers.
17. Serves as Acting City Manager when designated, exercising authority consistent with the City Charter, City policies and the City Manager’s direction.
18. Maintains professional knowledge through training and participation in relevant municipal and professional organizations. Performs other related duties assigned by the City Manager consistent with the position.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE:

Seven years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or comparable public-sector administration. Experience must include substantial leadership of programs, departments, professional staff or major organizational initiatives and collaboration across functions. An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities may be considered.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, public policy, finance, urban planning, organizational leadership or a closely related field.

Preferred: Master’s degree in a related field; senior municipal leadership experience; and experience in strategic planning, municipal finance, capital projects, community or economic development, organizational development, labor relations, public safety administration, or process improvement.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Computer Skills

Ability to use standard office software and digital tools to analyze data, prepare reports and presentations, monitor projects and communicate effectively.

Ability to learn City systems relevant to assigned responsibilities.

Certificates and Licenses

Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to City facilities and meetings as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is primarily performed while seated or standing in an office or meeting setting. Duties require speaking, hearing, reading, using a computer and moving between work locations. Occasional lifting or carrying of ordinary office materials may be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in an office and at meeting sites within and outside the City. The position may require evening meetings, occasional travel and response to time-sensitive matters outside regular business hours.