Assistant Town Manager

Under the general direction of the Town Manager, the Assistant Town Manager (ATM) serves as a member of the senior management team which also includes the Town Manager and a second Assistant Town Manager. This position will assist the Town Manager in a variety of broad Town management and leadership issues. As one of two ATMs reporting to the Town Manager, the experience and credentialing of the successful candidate is equally focused on both technical and leadership skills. The current portfolio for this ATM position includes operating departments such as Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources, and Public Works; and service departments including Communications, Information Technology, and Strategic Initiatives. The final portfolio will depend on the skills and strengths of the person hired.

The successful candidate is an energetic, proactive collaborator and coordinator of people and tasks with excellent interpersonal, project management, and operational skills.

Key Priorities for the next Assistant Town Manager:

• Lead multiple complex and sensitive assessments of Town operations and management projects including implementation of the Town's refreshed Strategic Plan.
• Conduct and supervise studies of operational problems and make recommendations for improvements or evaluate recommended changes in organization, policies, procedures, or courses of action.
• Prepare reports and correspondence to express objectives, findings, recommendations, and goals to the Town Manager, Town Council, etc.
• Serve on the Town's Budget Team which works collaboratively to recommend and manage the Town's annual budget and CIP.
• Support the work of the Town's Public Art Advisory Committee.
• Identify and seek grant opportunities to increase accomplishment of fiscal goals.

Qualifications: The successful ATM candidate will have a minimum of 5-7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in municipal management with at least three years at a department director level role or above. Experience as a Town Manager or Assistant Town Manager is preferred. Completion of a master's degree in public administration, business, or related area and considerable experience in public sector management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.

The Successful Candidate is:

• A progressive leader with a proven track record in innovative municipal management;
• Skilled in leading cross-functional teams using a collaborative, team-based style to resolve complex problems and capitalize on opportunities with creative solutions;
• Knowledgeable of governmental organization and public administration theories, principles, and practices, including budget administration; management research and evaluation techniques, methods, and procedures;
• Has an excellent track record in establishing and maintaining working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders such as Town staff, Council Members and other public officials, business and community leaders, the development community, and the general public through demonstrated personal community engagement;
• Decisive and willing to make decisions while keeping key stakeholders informed;
• Resilient in the face of challenges and seeks creative solutions to problems;
• Keenly analytical and critical thinker while being accessible and personable;
• Commits to the highest level of customer service and community collaboration by routinely seeking stakeholder input to effectively achieve Town goals;
• Someone who possesses executive level skills in interpersonal and written communications, strategic planning, finance and budget development, critical thinking, administration, personnel management, and intergovernmental relations;
• Someone who effectively cultivates an outstanding workforce through development and management of staff talent;
• Someone who thrives in a high accountability culture to ensure that the Town continues to succeed and meet the expectations of citizens and employees alike; and,
• Proactive and can monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures against performance metrics.

Salary and Benefits:

Please note that the Town is willing to negotiate starting salary for the selected candidate commensurate with experience (determined by qualifications, background, and experience). To learn more about why Garner is a great place to live and work, click here (or copy and paste the following into your browser: Employee Benefits | Town of Garner, NC (garnernc.gov)

Application Process:

Applicants should apply by Oct. 11. Application review begins the week of October 12, 2026. All inquiries about this position should be emailed to Chief Human Resources Officer Karen A. Harris at [email protected]