Chief Administrative Officer

HR&A Advisors; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

HR&A Advisors is assisting the incoming Jawando Administration of Montgomery County MD in recruiting a Chief Administrative Officer. The CAO will oversee daily operations, align departments with policy goals, and drive organizational performance across government functions.

The role entails strategic budgeting, policy advice to the County Executive, and leading efforts to advance equity, customer service, and operational excellence throughout the county government.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of management principles and local government.
• Ability to plan, direct and coordinate large programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and apply laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Directs the operation of all County departments and coordinates budget reviews.
• Advises the County Executive on policy matters and administrative issues.
• Leads strategic initiatives to improve equity and service delivery.
• Represents the administration to stakeholders and negotiates complex agreements.

Skills

Executive leadership

Local government knowledge

Strategic planning

Budget management

Communications

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration

Job description

HR&A Advisors is searching on behalf of the Incoming Jawando Administration of Montgomery County MD for the following role.

ABOUT THE JAWANDO ADMINISTRATION:

In June 2026, Democratic primary voters in Montgomery County chose their next County Executive: Will Jawando, a civil rights lawyer, Obama White House alum, and two-term County Council member who won by the widest margin of victory in an open primary in nearly two decades. He won on a promise to fully fund public schools, build affordable housing, and grow the economy from the bottom up.

Jawando is building his incoming team now, with a mandate to expand housing options and renter protections, invest in early childhood education alongside K-12 schools, treat equity as a standard for every decision, protect immigrant families and federal workers who call the county home, and craft a budget centered on working people .

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

The CAO would join the administration at a moment of change, with bold goals for Montgomery County including more affordable housing, stronger schools, safer communities, and a government that delivers for every resident. The Chief Administrative Officer will be central to advancing that agenda.

This is the highest appointed, executive level position in the Executive Branch responsible for managing the daily operations of County Government. Contacts are with high-ranking legislative and executive officials within County, State and Federal Governments, officials of equivalent rank in other governmental jurisdictions, and private sector and community organizations and groups. The purposes of the contacts include presenting, justifying and defending controversial positions where conflicting and opposing viewpoints, goals and objectives are strongly advocated and must be reconciled to develop suitable alternatives or arrive at acceptable compromises.

The employee in this class directs the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of a diverse range of policies, programs and services in support of the County Executive's established missions and goals. The work involves overseeing the activity of all Executive departments, offices and agencies; directly managing the Assistant Chief Administrative Officers and department directors; advising the County Executive on operational, administrative and policy matters; and coordinating management review and decision making on general operations of the government. The work is performed under guidelines and administrative direction given by the County Executive. The employee exercises total accountability for all matters associated with completing work assignments including determining the work to be done and the methods used to accomplish the desires of the County Executive. Results of the work are considered authoritative and evaluated in terms of the County Government's achievement of mission objectives and legally mandated requirements. Success in this role also means building community trust, advancing equity consistent with the Racial Equity and Social Justice Act, and working in partnership with community and private-sector stakeholders. Guidelines consist of broad policy statements and diverse legislation which require the employee to use considerable judgment in interpreting the intent of the county codes, laws and regulations and generating specific policies and direction for department, office and agency heads. The complexity of the work is reflected in the need for planning, directing and integrating a wide spectrum of governmental functions, programs and services. The work requires consideration of an extensive range of political, economic, social and legal issues, and development of solutions that accommodate conflicting objectives from a variety of organizations, groups, and individuals. The work affects all aspects of governmental operations and programs as well as all citizens in the County. The work of this class requires providing limited public service or assistance to others. The work is primarily sedentary, performed in a typical office setting, and subject to common everyday risks.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

• Exercises administrative supervision through County department heads and coordinates the operation of all County departments; resolves interdepartmental problems or conflicts.
• Directs reviews of departmental and agency budget proposals; directs the planning for, preparation and implementation of the annual budget; recommends to the County Executive proposed expenditures, and maintains financial control over Countywide expenditures; directs financial planning for annual and long term capital project programs.
• Directs the development and establishment of comprehensive personnel policies to include collective bargaining, salary administration, employment and employee benefit plans.
• Directs the development and installation of administrative procedures and controls to maintain communication and adequate flow of information and to maintain adequate management control and direction of the government.
• Confers with department heads and receives such reports as may be required to assure adherence to the County Executive's policies and completion of approved projects.
• Develops and recommends to the County Executive new/revised legislation for submission to County Council concerning all aspects of County operations.
• Recommends revenue raising measures, tax rates, and methods for financing capital improvements.
• Directs data-driven performance management, service delivery modernization, workforce culture and retention, and emergency management preparedness.
• Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques of management.
• Extensive knowledge of local government functions and organizations.
• Extensive knowledge of operational, programmatic, and fiscal planning strategies as applicable to local government operations and management including organizational and personnel development theory and strategies.
• Knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge of the Federal, State and County laws, statutes and ordinances, pertaining to local government operations.
• Skill in planning, directing and coordinating an organization engaged in a large number of diverse programs.
• Skill in analyzing, preparing, interpreting and applying provisions of Federal, State and Local legislation.
• Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to develop defenses and justifications of decisions reached.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with government, civic, community and private sector groups.
• Skill in negotiating agreements which accommodate the conflicting interests and viewpoints of numerous groups and organizations.
• Skill in change management, the use of data and technology to improve services, advancing racial equity, and proactive public communication.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Extensive (seven (7) years) of progressively responsible executive leadership experience in directing a diversified organization in the public or private sector, four (4) years of which must have been in a managerial capacity.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration or related fields.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

LICENSE: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant's state of residence when required for job related duties.