City Manager

AAME; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Columbus seeks a well-rounded local government professional who is approachable, resourceful, and comfortable wearing many hats. The candidate should remain calm, solutions-oriented, and capable of taking initiative while keeping the City Council informed and momentum intact.

Ideal leadership will navigate competing interests, resolve differences, and make thoughtful decisions in complex situations, staying organized as priorities shift and personal engagement matters to the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required in a related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in municipal administration.
• Experience as an Assistant or Deputy in a larger community or equivalent private-sector role.
• Demonstrated expertise in negotiation, coordination, and delegation.
• Ability to obtain the CPM designation within two years of employment.

Skills

Negotiation

Coordination

Delegation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in government, political science, public or business administration, management, finance, economics, accounting, engineering, investment, or a related field

Job description

Columbus is looking for a well-rounded local government professional who is approachable, resourceful, and comfortable wearing many hats. The ideal candidate will bring a calm, solutions-oriented presence, knowing when to take initiative, when to seek direction, and how to keep the City Council informed without losing momentum. They will be skilled at navigating competing interests, resolving differences, and making thoughtful decisions even when circumstances are complex. Organized and adaptable, this leader will enjoy working in an environment where priorities can shift quickly and where personal engagement matters. Above all, the successful candidate will be visible, accessible, and genuinely invested in earning the confidence of employees, elected officials, and the Columbus community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in government, political science, public or business administration, management, finance, economics, accounting, engineering, investment, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in municipal administration with a similarly sized community; experience as an Assistant or Deputy in a larger community; or equivalent private-sector experience with an organization of similar size and complexity.
• Demonstrated expertise in negotiation, coordination, and delegation.
• Ability to obtain the Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation within two years of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation.
• Grant writing experience.