City Manager

SummitHR; Lapeer (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

City of SummitHR seeks an experienced City Manager to lead municipal operations under a Commission-Manager form of government, overseeing departments, budgets, and strategic initiatives. The role requires stable, impartial leadership and collaboration with the City Commission.

The ideal candidate will have extensive public-sector leadership, budgeting experience, and the ability to maintain continuity of operations while guiding staff and managing capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, finance, political science, urban planning, or a closely related field.
• A master's degree in public administration or related discipline is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with municipal budgeting, finance, and labor relations.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee City departments, programs, services, and utilities in accordance with the City Charter, ordinances, adopted policies, and direction of the City Commission.
• Implement Commission policies and priorities and promote efficient, responsive, consistent, and equitable municipal services.
• Advise and support the City Commission by providing professional recommendations, reports, and timely information; attend Commission meetings, workshops, and other meetings as required.
• Maintain a clear distinction between the Commission's policy-making role and the City Manager's administrative responsibilities.
• Lead, supervise, and support department heads and administrative officers; establish performance expectations and provide organizational direction, coaching, and accountability.
• Maintain continuity of operations, institutional knowledge, active projects, and organizational priorities.
• Oversee preparation and administration of the annual budget and monitor the City's financial condition, purchasing, contracts, and fiscal controls in collaboration with the Finance Director.
• Provide executive oversight of capital improvement planning, infrastructure, economic development, utilities, and major organizational initiatives.
• Oversee human resources and personnel administration, including workforce planning, hiring, performance management, employee relations, discipline, labor relations, and organizational development, in coordination with the City's human resources professional and department heads.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, collective bargaining agreements, contracts, and other legal obligations, including transparency and public-records requirements.
• Maintain constructive and professional relationships with elected officials, employees, labor representatives, residents, businesses, community organizations, and regional partners.
• Represent the City at meetings, conferences, community events, and intergovernmental functions and communicate the City's official position when authorized.
• Respond to concerns regarding City policies, operations, and services and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding personnel, legal, labor-relations, and other protected matters.
• Perform other duties assigned by the City Commission as a body or required by the City Charter and applicable ordinances.

Skills

Executive leadership

Public-sector administration

Policy analysis

Strategic planning

Financial oversight

Staff supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration or related field

Master's degree in public administration preferred

Job description

City Manager

Position Overview

The City seeks an experienced, collaborative, and steady municipal leader to serve as City Manager. The community offers a historic downtown, strong neighborhoods, parks and recreational amenities, and convenient access to arts, entertainment, and regional destinations.

The City operates under the Commission-Manager form of government, with an approximately $12 million General Fund budget and approximately $39 million in total annual appropriations. The organization includes approximately 70 full-time employees, along with part-time, seasonal, and temporary personnel supporting City programs and services.

Position Summary

The City Manager serves as the City's chief administrative officer and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of municipal operations in accordance with the City Charter, applicable ordinances, and policies established by the City Commission.

The City Manager works with the City Commission as a body, supports its policy-making responsibilities, and provides professional leadership in implementing established policies and priorities. The successful candidate will provide stable, impartial, and effective leadership; maintain continuity of operations; coordinate the work of department heads and administrative officers; and provide organizational direction.

The City Manager provides executive oversight of municipal departments, programs, personnel, finances, infrastructure, and major organizational initiatives. Areas of administrative oversight include the City Clerk's Office; Human Resources; Building, Planning and Zoning; Finance; Police; Fire and Rescue; Public Works; Wastewater Treatment; Parks, Recreation and Cemetery; and Housing.

Essential Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee City departments, programs, services, and utilities in accordance with the City Charter, ordinances, adopted policies, and direction of the City Commission.

• Implement Commission policies and priorities and promote efficient, responsive, consistent, and equitable municipal services.

• Advise and support the City Commission by providing professional recommendations, reports, and timely information; attend Commission meetings, workshops, and other meetings as required.

• Maintain a clear distinction between the Commission's policy-making role and the City Manager's administrative responsibilities.

• Lead, supervise, and support department heads and administrative officers; establish performance expectations and provide organizational direction, coaching, and accountability.

• Maintain continuity of operations, institutional knowledge, active projects, and organizational priorities.

• Oversee preparation and administration of the annual budget and monitor the City's financial condition, purchasing, contracts, and fiscal controls in collaboration with the Finance Director.

• Provide executive oversight of capital improvement planning, infrastructure, economic development, utilities, and major organizational initiatives.

• Oversee human resources and personnel administration, including workforce planning, hiring, performance management, employee relations, discipline, labor relations, and organizational development, in coordination with the City's human resources professional and department heads.

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, collective bargaining agreements, contracts, and other legal obligations, including transparency and public-records requirements.

• Maintain constructive and professional relationships with elected officials, employees, labor representatives, residents, businesses, community organizations, and regional partners.

• Represent the City at meetings, conferences, community events, and intergovernmental functions and communicate the City's official position when authorized.

• Respond to concerns regarding City policies, operations, and services and ensure appropriate follow-up.

• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding personnel, legal, labor-relations, and other protected matters.

• Perform other duties assigned by the City Commission as a body or required by the City Charter and applicable ordinances.

Desired Leadership Qualifications

• Strong executive leadership experience in municipal government or comparable public-sector administration.

• Demonstrated ability to provide steady, ethical, professional, and impartial leadership, including during organizational transition.

• Experience working effectively with elected officials in a Commission-Manager or Council-Manager form of government and understanding of the distinction between policy-making and administration.

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and consensus-building skills.

• Substantial knowledge of municipal budgeting and finance, personnel administration, labor relations, infrastructure, utilities, public safety, community development, and municipal operations.

• Ability to establish productive relationships with department heads and employees while respecting professional roles and established lines of authority.

• Ability to assess organizational needs, manage competing priorities, maintain continuity, and exercise sound judgment under pressure.

• Ability to handle personnel, legal, labor-relations, and other sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.

• Demonstrated commitment to transparency, accountability, ethical conduct, fiscal responsibility, and exceptional public service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, finance, political science, urban planning, or a closely related field. A master's degree in public administration or a related discipline is preferred.

• At least seven years of progressively responsible local government or comparable public-sector experience, including significant department-head or executive-level leadership.

• Prior experience as a City Manager, Assistant City Manager, or equivalent municipal executive is strongly preferred but not required.

• Demonstrated experience with municipal budgeting and finance, personnel administration, labor relations, infrastructure, utilities, and major organizational priorities.

• Ability to attend evening meetings, workshops, community events, and other functions outside regular business hours.

• Ability to maintain a substantial, regular onsite presence and remain reasonably available for operational needs, urgent matters, and emergencies. This is a full-time, onsite position and is not structured as a remote appointment.

Compensation, Benefits, and Appointment Terms

The City offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement benefits. Coverage and participation are subject to applicable plan eligibility requirements, effective dates, contribution provisions, and other terms.

The City Manager is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Commission.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment or appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and pre-employment drug screening, as well as verification of professional references satisfactory to the City.