Deputy City Manager of Operations

City of Kirkland; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kirkland is seeking a Deputy City Manager to provide high-level staff support to the City Manager, oversee city operations, manage special projects, and coordinate external relationships with government, nonprofit, and community partners.

This role leads interdepartmental initiatives, may serve as Acting City Manager, and requires a track record in public administration, budgeting, and strategic leadership to advance the City’s goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration or a closely related field.
• 10 years of increasingly responsible local government experience.
• Or combination of relevant education and experience demonstrating knowledge and ability.

Responsibilities

• Act as Acting City Manager during the City Manager’s absence.
• Lead department directors and City Manager’s Office staff.
• Oversee inter-departmental program development and operations.
• Represent the City to councils, boards, and external partners.
• Develop and deliver public outreach on citywide issues.

Skills

Public administration

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration or related field

Tools

Budgeting software

Job description

The role of the Deputy City Manager is to provide highly responsible, complex professional staff assistance to the City Manager in the management of City operations, special projects, legislative research and analysis, and coordination of the City’s external relationships with other governmental, quasi-governmental, non-profit, and community-based entities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Deputy City Manager serves as one of the strategic and operational leaders of the City, assisting the City Manager with the management of internal operations and/or external affairs. This position provides leadership in the implementation of goals and objectives for the City as directed by the City Manager. Serves as Acting City Manager as required.

Essential Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as Acting City Manager during the City Manager’s absence.
• Supervises and evaluates department directors or City Manager’s Office staff as assigned by the City Manager.
• Provides management direction for City departments in the performance of ongoing City services.
• Coordinates inter-departmental program development and operations.
• Provides leadership in interpreting and implementing the City’s organizational philosophy and goals to the City staff.
• Acts as project manager for special projects which involve citywide issues and require interdepartmental and/or interagency coordination.
• Presents reports on assigned projects orally and in writing; communicates conclusions and recommendations to the City Council and City leadership as requested.
• Represents the City to community groups, City task forces, committees, boards, and other government entities.
• Analyzes and monitors the potential impacts of external governmental and quasi-governmental actions on the City and its community members, and keeps appropriate City officials informed regarding these issues.
• Attracts, retains, and motivates a professional and competent staff. Manages and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel; directs work and provides training for staff development.
• Clarifies, defines, and frames external legislative, administrative, and intergovernmental initiatives for briefing and discussion with appropriate City officials.
• Represents the City’s interests and positions before legislative and rule‑making authorities at all governmental levels.
• Supports the City Council in their roles as policy makers and key regional players.
• Prepares Department Head annual performance evaluations for review and implementation by the City Manager.
• May serve as the City Manager’s official representative in hearing and ruling on grievances or complaints received from employees and other similar matters.
• Negotiate contracts, leases, purchase and sale agreements, interlocal agreements and solutions on a variety of administrative, fiscal, and special projects; participate in the preparation and monitoring of program or special project budgets.
• Develops, coordinates, and delivers public outreach for City‑wide issues, develops communications, and facilitates internal and external meetings.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties

• Performs functions as assigned in the City’s emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Responsible for developing measurable implementation plans that achieve the City’s initiatives in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Roadmap.

• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public and policy administration at the local and regional levels. Good understanding of national policy issues affecting local government practices and funding.
• Thorough knowledge of public finance and budgeting.
• Skill in effective, clear, and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups.
• Ability to negotiate agreements and/or reach consensus with diverse and disparate interests.
• Skill in resolving conflicts and gaining cooperation among competing interest groups.
• Ability to articulate and promote the city’s strategic positions, including its core values, to a diverse audience.
• Skill in facilitating and collaborating with senior level managers to determine the most effective and efficient approach to delivering services and solving citywide issues.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, business leaders, community leaders, advisory boards, the news media, and the general public.
• Understanding of the city’s political environment and sensitivities; ability to function effectively within that environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration or a closely related field.
• Experience: 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in local government (some experience in intergovernmental relations is desirable).
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements

• Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the City’s insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Master’s Degree in Public Administration or an applicable field is preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Work is generally performed in an office setting and will include standing and sitting for long intervals of time. Attendance at Council meetings is required; meetings are held in the evenings or outside normal office hours. Position requires the ability to transport oneself to a variety of meeting locations, primarily in and around King County and the Puget Sound area. Must have sufficient auditory skills to follow and participate actively in discussions and debates of issues.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.

Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.