Description

GENERAL PURPOSE:   The City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the City of Howell and is responsible for the overall management of city operations. Appointed by and accountable to the Mayor and City Council, the City Manager provides professional leadership, strategic direction, and policy guidance to ensure the effective delivery of municipal services, fiscal responsibility, and implementation of the City’s goals and objectives

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

 Policy & Council Support

• Serves as the principal advisor to the Mayor and City Council, providing objective, data-driven recommendations and professional guidance on policy decisions.
• Attends all City Council meetings, prepares agendas, reports, and background materials, and ensures Council receives timely and accurate information.
• Implement ordinances, resolutions, and directives of the City Council.

Financial Management

• Prepares and submits the annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring fiscal integrity and long-term financial sustainability.
• Manage all municipal funds, investments, and debt in compliance with applicable laws and best practices.
• Monitors and reports on budget performance, revenues, and expenditure.
• Pursues and administers grants, state/federal funding, and alternative financing strategies.

Organizational Leadership & Personnel

• Provides overall leadership and direction to city departments, fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee recruitment, appointment, evaluation, and development of department directors and employees.
• Administers personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements, and employee relations in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Promotes professional development, succession planning, and workplace equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Community & Economic Development

• Works to strengthen Howell’s economic vitality through business retention, attraction, and development.
• Collaborate with the Downtown Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce, and regional partners on revitalization, investment, and growth.
• Encourages strategic land use planning, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable community development.
• Represents the city in intergovernmental and community partnerships.

Public Relations & Communications

• Serves as the primary representative and spokesperson for the city.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with residents, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and the media.
• Ensures open, transparent, and proactive communication with the public.
• Respond promptly and professionally to citizen concerns and inquiries.

Strategic Planning & Innovation

• Leads long-range planning and goal-setting processes in coordination with City Council.
• Develops and monitors key performance indicators to track organizational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and modernization of city services.
• Guides the City in adapting to emerging trends, technologies, and regulatory changes.
   

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: 

• Comprehensive knowledge of public administration, municipal operations, and state/local government law.
• Strong financial management skills, including budget development, capital planning, and fiscal analysis.
• Proven leadership and supervisory ability, with skills in organizational change, team building, and staff development.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to develop cooperative working relationships with elected officials, employees, labor unions, businesses, and residents.
• Skilled in consensus building, problem-solving, and decision-making under pressure.
• Ability to represent the City effectively at the regional, state, and national levels.
• Proficiency in modern technology applications relevant to municipal management.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Political Science, Business Administration, or related field required.
  o   Applicants with 10+ years of related municipal experience may be considered instead of the educational requirements.
• Master’s degree in public administration, Public Policy, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible executive or senior management experience in municipal or public sector administration.
• Experience with labor relations, economic development, and intergovernmental cooperation strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, read, and operate a computer and other office equipment.
The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and lift or move items up to 20 pounds.
The position requires the ability to travel independently to meetings, conferences, and community events within and outside the City.
The employee must be able to attend evening meetings and occasional weekend events.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment is typically a professional office setting with frequent interaction with the public, elected officials, and staff.
The noise level is usually moderate, consistent with business office conditions.
The position involves frequent interruptions and requires the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
The City Manager role requires working under pressure, handling politically sensitive situations, and exercising sound judgment in a prominent position.
Extended hours may be required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Posting closes on 01/15/2026