ASSISTANT VILLAGE MANAGER - VILLAGE OF VERNON HILLS, ILLINOIS

International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Veterans; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 147,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

A suburban municipality is seeking an Assistant Village Manager to lead operations and enhance community engagement. This role involves managing various departments, fostering a positive culture, and collaborating on strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong municipal background and excel in communication and leadership. The selected individual will enjoy a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.

Benefits

Vehicle allowance

Paid vacation and sick time

Health insurance options

Annual merit-based bonus

457 deferred compensation plan

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund pension eligibility

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of municipal experience.
• Strong foundation in analytical thinking and public engagement.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations in Administration.
• Coordinate special projects and Village events.
• Support strategic initiatives and sustainability goals.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Public engagement

Team leadership

Process improvement

Exceptional communication

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration or related field

Master's degree in public or business administration

Tools

Tyler Munis

Laserfiche

Job description

The Village of Vernon Hills, IL (pop. 26,850). The Village of Vernon Hills, a home-rule community located in Lake County, Illinois, approximately 37 miles north of downtown Chicago, seeks an approachable and collaborative municipal professional to serve as its next Assistant Village Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to join an organization with a culture that values autonomy, teamwork, and professional growth. Vernon Hills offers a vibrant mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, parks, and recreational amenities in a welcoming suburban environment. The community is known for its attractive shopping and dining options, strong services, and political and financial stability.

A full-service municipality consisting of 96 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, Vernon Hills FY26 budget totals approximately $55 million. The Assistant Village Manager reports directly to the Village Manager. This is a multi-faceted position requiring a versatile leader who can thoughtfully engage employees at all levels of the organization. This role assists in managing day-to-day operations in Administration and across the organization. The Village seeks an energetic leader with a proven track record in process improvement, strategic thinking and planning, and overall municipal management. This individual will help foster a positive organizational culture rooted in collaboration, professional respect, and approachability.

The successful candidate is expected to have a high level of complex project administration experience. This position also serves as a key advisor to the Village Manager and other department heads, helps coordinate special projects and Village events, and supports the implementation of the Village’s strategic initiatives. The Assistant Village Manager supervises the HR Specialist and Cable Coordinator, while serving as a liaison to other departments and external partners, including vendors for municipal operations such as the Village-owned golf course and Village communications / marketing. The Assistant Village Manager also serves as the Deputy Village Clerk.

Key Responsibilities

• Attend and contribute to intergovernmental and community partnership meetings, representing the Village, as needed.
• Provide strong leadership and support across HR functions, including employee relations and policy administration.
• Oversee technology initiatives and assist with software implementations, including Tyler Munis and Laserfiche.
• Assist in strategic planning, special projects, and process improvement initiatives to enhance cross-departmental efficiency and streamline service delivery.
• Serve as primary liaison with external vendor for the management of the municipal golf course.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Vernon Hills Seniors Organization (Senior Center).
• Ensure effective communication to the community as team lead of the Village’s Communications Team.
• Lead the Village’s sustainability and “green” initiatives, including the Sustainability Planning Guide and coordination of Greenest Region Compact goals.
• Oversee the coordination of Village special events (e.g., 4th of July celebration, fireworks, holiday tree lighting) to ensure smooth execution.
• Acts for the Village Manager in the day-to-day operations of the Village during the Village Manager’s absence.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, human resources, business administration or related field is required; a master’s degree in public or business administration is preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible municipal experience with a strong foundation in analytical thinking, public engagement, and cross-functional team leadership. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Preference for candidates with some supervisory experience.

Ideal Candidate

• Be a relationship-builder and support positive interactions with coworkers and the public to raise and maintain a work environment that is responsive and supportive.
• Be innovative and champion continued process improvement with a demonstrated interest in technology.
• Be skilled and resourceful in resident engagement; comfortable responding to complex issues with navigating policies and procedures.
• Have exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Compensation And Benefits

The full salary range is $147,248 – $206,287 +/- DOQ. Residency is not required. The Village of Vernon Hills offers an exceptional benefits package including a vehicle allowance; paid vacation, sick, holiday time; a menu of health plans; eligibility for annual merit-based career development bonus; optional 457 deferred compensation plans; and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund pension eligibility.

Apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with a resume, cover letter and contact information for five professional references by the application deadline of November 3, 2025. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Ashley Eccles at 847-380-3240 x134.

The Village of Vernon Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer.