Chief Administrative Officer

Upper Darby Township, PA; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 200,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Darby Township seeks a Chief Administrative Officer to lead a diverse community located just west of Philadelphia. The CAO will oversee Township operations, collaborate with department heads, and help implement the Mayor-Council agenda to move the community forward.

Salary ranges from $200,000 to $245,000 annually, DOQ. First review is November 29, 2026. This is a full-time, on-site leadership role emphasizing strategic planning, financial acumen, and collaborative governance.

Job description

Organization: Upper Darby Township

Position Title: Chief Administrative Officer

Address: 100 Garrett Road, Upper Darby PA, 19082

First Review: November 29, 2026

Salary Range: $200,000 - $245,000 annually DOQ

Upper Darby Township is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer for this diverse community located immediately west of Philadelphia, roughly 7 miles from downtown. Spanning less than 8 square miles, Upper Darby is the most populous municipality in Delaware County and the sixth most populous in Pennsylvania.

UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP

Upper Darby Township serves a population of approximately 85,000 across 7.9 square miles in Delaware County with a team of 411 FTEs and a 2026 budget of $104.7 million. Departments include Administrative Services, Community and Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Licenses and Inspections, Parking Enforcement, Police, Public Information, Public Works, Recreation, Senior Services, and Tax Office.

Incorporated in 1786, Upper Darby Township operates under a Home Rule Charter adopted in 1974 and a Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor serves as the Township’s chief executive, overseeing the administration, and the 11-member Township Council enacts legislation, sets policy, and adopts the annual budget. A full-time Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) oversees Township operations and works with department heads to carry out the administration’s priorities.

WHY APPLY

This is a unique opportunity to help lead Upper Darby Township, a richly diverse community with distinctive neighborhoods and a strong sense of place. Its many immigrant communities contribute to a vibrant, welcoming culture and help shape the Township’s character, energy, and civic identity-live up to its motto, \"The World in One Place\".

Meaningful work is underway in Upper Darby, and Mayor Brown is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) who can help advance his vision for the community. With the current CAO retiring after building a strong, strategic, and responsive team, the next leader will have a solid foundation from which to continue progress. For a leader eager to apply strategic thinking, financial acumen, and collaborative leadership to help move a community from good to great, this is a compelling and challenging opportunity.

More Information

Upper Darby Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer.