Town Manager

Raftelis; Erie (CO); On-site; USD 216,000 - 324,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Erie seeks a strategic, trusted Town Manager to lead a growing community that values transparency, sound governance, and exceptional public service.

Appointed by the Town Council, the Town Manager will oversee municipal operations, budget development, and long‑range planning, guiding growth while preserving Erie’s desirable quality of life.

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government, including at least seven years in executive or senior administrative leadership.
• Experience as City/Town Manager or Deputy/Assistant City/Town Manager preferred.
• Strong financial background with budgeting, capital planning, and long-term fiscal stewardship.
• Experience leading complex municipalities with growth, planning, economic development, and redevelopment.
• Familiarity with water resources, infrastructure, transportation, and sustainable infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight for municipal operations and departments, ensuring efficient delivery of services.
• Develop and manage budgets, financial planning, risk management, and capital investments.
• Implement policies and priorities set by Town Council; act as principal advisor and public communicator.
• Lead executive leadership team; ensure succession planning and cross-department collaboration.
• Report regularly on performance and priorities to Town Council; coordinate implementation of Council direction.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budgeting & finance

Public speaking & communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration / public policy / finance

Master's degree in public administration / public policy

ICMA-CM credential (beneficial)

Job description

The Position

The Town of Erie is seeking a strategic, trusted, and highly communicative leader to serve as its next Town Manager. This is a unique opportunity to lead a growing community as it builds upon its strong organizational culture, implements its recently adopted Home Rule Charter, and guides thoughtful growth while preserving the qualities that make Erie such a desirable place to live, work, and visit. Appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Town Council, the Town Manager is the Town's chief administrative officer and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, overseeing the effective administration of municipal operations, and implementing the policies and priorities established by the Town Council. The Town Manager serves as the Council's principal advisor, ensuring transparent communication, sound organizational management, and the efficient delivery of high-quality public services.

The Town Manager provides executive oversight for the Town's operations, departments, and personnel, fostering a collaborative, high-performing organization that delivers exceptional service to the community. The position is responsible for organizational leadership, workforce management, budget development and administration, financial planning, risk management, and operational accountability while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, and Town policies. The Town Manager regularly reports to the Town Council on organizational performance, financial conditions, strategic initiatives, and community priorities.

The Town Manager appoints and supervises key members of the executive leadership team and establishes an effective organizational structure that supports the Town's strategic goals. This position also develops succession plans for executive leadership, coordinates implementation of Council direction across the organization, and performs additional duties as assigned by the Town Council and prescribed by Town ordinance.

Qualifications

Ten years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government, including at least seven years in executive or senior administrative leadership, is required. Experience serving as a City/Town Manager or as a Deputy/Assistant City/Town Manager in a similarly complex organization is preferred. Demonstrated success building collaborative relationships and working effectively with elected officials is required.

A strong financial background, including experience in budgeting, capital planning, organizational leadership, and long-term fiscal stewardship, is required. Experience leading a complex municipality, with responsibility for strategic growth, community planning, economic development, and redevelopment initiatives, is highly desirable. Experience leading organizations through complex water resource, infrastructure, and capital planning challenges, including familiarity with western water issues, long-term water supply planning, transportation systems, and sustainable infrastructure investment, is also highly desirable.

A bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, public policy, finance, or a similar field is required. A master’s degree in public administration, public policy, or a closely related field is desired. ICMA Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM) certification is beneficial. An equivalent combination of experience and education that enables success as the Town Manager will be considered.

Compensation and Benefits

The full salary range for the Town Manager position is $216,000 – $324,000, with an expected hiring range of $250,000 – $300,000 and will depend on the qualifications of the successful candidate. The Town of Erie offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial security, work-life balance, and overall well-being, including robust medical coverage, a generous retirement program with employer match, paid parental leave, extensive paid time off, and employer-paid disability and life insurance. Employees also enjoy a variety of lifestyle and professional development benefits, including wellness programs, education reimbursement, Community Center membership, volunteer leave, and opportunities for continued learning and growth. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits at www.erieco.gov/benefits.