County Administrator

County of Warren, Virginia; Front Royal (VA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

participation in the Virginia Retir e(

optional 457(b) retirement savings

optional group life insurance

medical, prescription, vision, and d​e

Flexible Spending Accounts

voluntary supplemental insurance

health and wellness resources and an E

Job summary

Warren County, Virginia, is seeking a County Administrator with the experience, judgment, and commitment to lead a complex local government through a consequential period. The County Administrator serves as the County's chief administrative and operating officer, advising the Board of Supervisors while directing programs and operations across County government.

The role includes reviewing departmental budgets, preparing and submitting the proposed budget, administering the adopted budget, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in public administration, business administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred but not required.
• Residency in the County is required; relocation is negotiable.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Board of Supervisors and direct programs and operations across County government.
• Review departmental budgets, prepare and submit the proposed budget, and administer the adopted budget.
• Coordinate with constitutional officers and represent the County in meetings with local, state, and federal agencies.

Skills

Public administration leadership

Local government leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field

Master's degree in Public Administration or related field (preferred)

Job description

Warren County is seeking a County Administrator with the experience, judgment, and commitment to lead a complex local government through a consequential period. The County Administrator serves as the County's chief administrative and operating officer, advising the Board of Supervisors while directing programs and operations across County government. The role includes reviewing departmental budget requests, preparing and submitting the proposed County budget, administering the adopted budget, and helping ensure that resources, staffing, and operations align with the County's strategic direction. The position combines executive leadership, fiscal stewardship, organizational management, and highly visible public service.

The County Administrator attends and participates in Board of Supervisors meetings, committee meetings, and public hearings; prepares written reports and recommendations; and provides the Board with timely, accurate, and practical advice on policy, operations, and governance. The role also requires close coordination with constitutional officers, support for Board-appointed committees and task forces, and representation of the County in meetings with local, state, and federal agencies and organizations. The County Administrator must connect policy direction with operational execution and help maintain clear, professional working relationships throughout the organization.

This recruitment comes at a pivotal time, and the Board is committed to approaching it honestly. Warren County experienced years of stable administrative leadership, followed by a serious institutional strain: a major economic development investigation that resulted in criminal indictments and civil litigation, a prolonged audit backlog, and leadership turnover in the Administrator's role. The County is working through the aftermath of those years and is ready to move forward. The next County Administrator will need strategic perspective and day-to-day discipline and will find a community and staff that are genuinely ready to rebuild.

Qualifications

The position requires, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university. A master's degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field is preferred, but not required.

The Board is seeking candidates with significant and progressively responsible leadership experience in local government or in another complex organization that demonstrates comparable executive, operational, and financial responsibility. Experience as a County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, assistant manager, department director, or in a similarly demanding leadership role will be viewed favorably. The strongest candidates will demonstrate the capacity to lead a public organization, advise elected officials effectively, manage through complexity, and commit to the position with a long-term perspective.

Residency in the County is required. Relocation is negotiable.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range is $190,000 to $225,000, depending on qualifications, with a competitive executive benefits package.

• participation in the Virginia Retirement System
• optional 457(b) retirement savings
• optional group life insurance
• medical, prescription, vision, and dental coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• voluntary supplemental insurance options
• access to health and wellness resources and an Employee Assistance Program