County Manager

National Association Of Counties Inc; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

National Association Of Counties Inc. seeks a County Manager to act as the chief administrative officer for the Commissioners Court, implementing policy and directing county operations.

You will oversee departments, coordinate with elected officials, and guide long-range planning with a focus on transparency and accountability. Requires a Master’s degree and a decade of senior administrative experience, including executive responsibilities, with strong leadership, budgeting, and policy advisory

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, finance, or a closely related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible administrative experience, including senior management roles, with at least two years in executive management.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; sound judgment in working with elected officials and stakeholders; ability to lead diverse teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public budgeting, financial management, grant administration, human resources, procurement, and operational oversight.
• Commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and professionalism in all interactions.

Responsibilities

• Oversees county departments, programs, and personnel assigned to the County Manager’s supervision by Commissioners Court, ensuring policy compliance.
• Executes the policies of the Commissioners Court, translating strategic goals into operational plans.
• Supports the Commissioners Court by providing timely, accurate information for informed decisions.
• Coordinates Court meetings and agendas with the County Judge and other officials; ensures timely posting under the Texas Open Meetings Act.
• Hires, disciplines, and terminates department directors and staff as lawfully delegated; recommends organizational changes.
• Provides professional advice on policy, planning, and regulatory matters; researches and recommends new programs and initiatives.
• Acts as a liaison among elected officials, staff, residents, and partners; explains complex matters clearly.
• Monitors internal service systems (HR, IT, facilities, fleet) and external services (emergency, public works, health, parks, social services).
• Facilitates long-range planning and aligns operations with community needs.
• Ensures compliance with laws; coordinates with legal counsel as needed.
• Coordinates annual budget development and monitors implementation; may serve as County Budget Officer.
• May serve as County Investment Officer; manages investments per law and policy.
• May serve as Executive Director of ARMA to support transportation and mobility.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Commissioners Court.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaboration skills

Leadership

Judgment and discretion

Education

Master’s degree in public administration or related field

Job description

Summary:

The County Manager is a contracted employee appointed by Commissioners Court and serving subject to removal by the Court. The position serves as the Court’s chief appointed administrative officer, implements its policies, and oversees departments and functions assigned to the position, subject to applicable law and lawful delegations of authority. The County Manager coordinates with elected and other independently appointed officials while respecting their statutory and constitutional responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversees county departments, programs, and personnel assigned to the County Manager’s supervision by Commissioners Court, ensuring compliance with applicable Court policies and directives.
• Executes the policies of the Commissioners Court, translating strategic goals into operational plans.
• Supports the Commissioners Court by providing timely, accurate, and sufficient information for informed decisions.
• Coordinates Commissioners Court meetings and the preparation of agendas and public notices with the County Judge, Court members, County Clerk, and legal counsel; attends meetings and coordinates timely posting under the Texas Open Meetings Act.
• Exercises hiring, disciplinary, and termination authority for department directors and other personnel as lawfully delegated by Commissioners Court and consistent with applicable law and County policies; recommends changes to departmental organization, staffing, and positions for Commissioners Court approval.
• Provides professional and technical advice to the Commissioners Court on policy, planning, and regulatory matters; researches and makes recommendations to Commissioners Court on new programs, services, and initiatives.
• Serves as a liaison among elected officials, staff, residents, and partner organizations, explaining complex technical, financial, and operational matters clearly.
• Monitors internal service delivery systems within assigned areas, such as human resources, information technology, facilities management, and fleet management, ensuring continuity and quality of services.
• Monitors external service delivery systems within assigned areas, such as emergency services, public works, public health, parks, and social services, ensuring continuity and quality of services.
• Facilitates the development and implementation of long-range plans and initiatives, aligning county operations with community needs.
• Promotes and monitors compliance with applicable laws and regulations within assigned departments and programs, coordinating with legal counsel and responsible officials as needed.
• Coordinates development of the annual budget for Commissioners Court consideration and approval and monitors implementation of the adopted budget in cooperation with the County Auditor and affected offices; may serve as County Budget Officer if appointed in accordance with applicable law.
• May serve as a County Investment Officer if designated in accordance with applicable law; administers and monitors investments within that designation, consistent with the Public Funds Investment Act and the County’s investment policy, with priority given to preservation of principal and liquidity.
• Subject to applicable approvals and agreements, may serve as Executive Director of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (ARMA) if selected by the ARMA Board; performs that role under the Board’s direction and applicable law to support transportation and mobility in Bexar County.
• Performs other duties lawfully assigned by Commissioners Court consistent with the responsibilities of the County Manager.

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, finance, or similar field; or a terminal degree in a closely related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible administrative experience, including senior management roles, with at least two years in an executive management role involving responsibility for multiple departments or major operational functions. Texas county management experience is preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; sound judgment in working with elected officials and other stakeholders; ability to exercise discretion and lead diverse teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public budgeting, financial management, grant administration, human resources, procurement, and operational oversight.
• Commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and professionalism in all interactions.