Assistant City Manager at City of Avondale – Avondale, Arizona

This executive level position performs a variety of highly complex administrative and managerial duties and undertakes a variety of special projects for the City Manager; assists the City Manager with the direction and coordination of the activities of assigned City Departments; provides guidance to Departments to ensure the City's goals and objectives are achieved in a timely and professional manner; provides leadership in policy formation and implementation of policies and procedures; promotes effective and efficient operations throughout the organization by facilitating interdepartmental cooperation and sharing of resources; provides responsible staff assistance to the City Manager, City Council, and department heads; facilitates the implementation of the City’s vision, strategic initiatives, and goals performs related work as required. Serves as acting City Manager as required. The position also assists the City Manager in overseeing the City's daily operations.

The successful candidate will be a strategic and articulate leader with a collaborative approach to management and who enjoys working with knowledgeable staff in a team-oriented environment.
Assumes full management responsibility for assigned functions, services, and activities of the City; coordinates department heads’ activities by coordinating workloads, including budgeting, project management, planning, personnel direction, and oversight as necessary; ensures assigned department and service areas deliver capital improvement projects according to expectations set by the City Manager; interprets and ensures City policies are followed; demonstrates a visible working style that is consistent with and demonstrates a commitment to the City’s vision and values.

Develops support systems that encourage cross-functional / departmental cooperation; provides a high level of support, oversight, and accountability of department direct reports, their projects and programs; mentors staff to elevate their roles to that of strategic partners and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of assigned departments; establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels for assigned functions; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.

Makes recommendations to the City Manager; formulates, interprets, and implements City policies and administrative regulations consistent with the City’s strategic plan, mission statement, and core values: Helpful, Kind, Professional; works closely with the City Manager and Executive Team to define and accomplish established strategic goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area.

Assists in the preparation, coordination, and presentation of the City’s annual budget; conducts special studies and analyses of regional, local, and agency issues for the City Manager; conducts organization and management reviews; formulates recommendations and prepares reports; evaluates programs and prepares studies and analyses.

Coordinates and participates in providing responsible staff assistance to the City Manager, City Council, and other City boards and commissions as assigned; reviews and approves assigned staff reports for Council agenda items; attends City Council meetings and other public meetings to assist or represent the City Manager; updates City Manager on issues or concerns in departments, including daily operations, departmental coordination, and personnel items.

Serves as acting City Manager as required; oversees City operations in the City Manager’s absence; responds to requests for policy implementation direction; reviews draft City Council agendas.

Attends neighborhood/community meetings of the City Council, Council/City committees, special events, and other organizational meetings as assigned. Leads complex internal, external, and regional efforts. Responds to citizen complaints/requests for service and meets with residents and business owners as needed.

Negotiates contracts and agreements as directed and authorized by City Council and/or the city manager; develops and/or assists in the implementation of new programs or enhancements to existing programs, and in operational analysis and recommendations for organizational structure; participates in meetings with officials of City, County, State and Federal agencies regarding items of regional significance; maintains excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Selects and directly supervises department heads and assigned staff; establishes goals, objectives, and performance targets; prepares and administers reviews of individual and departmental performance.

Maintains regular in-person attendance at work; works days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks; ensures and maintains availability to communicate with the City Manager, Councilmembers, peers, subordinates, and the public.

Performs other duties as assigned.

To view the full job description and learn more about the responsibilities and qualifications, please click to view the Class Specification here.
The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, or another related field from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree in public or business administration is preferred, but not required.

Must possess at least seven (7) years of local government experience at the department director or higher level.

Arizona municipal government experience is desired.

An equivalent combination of education and job-related experience may be considered on a year-for-year basis.

Designation as an ICMA Credentialed Manager or Candidate is a plus.

Valid Arizona Operator’s Driver’s License.