Assistant City Manager – City of Kettering

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The Position

Kettering is seeking a high performing leader, with a diverse background, who can help the City realize its economic and community development objectives. The successful candidate will have significant experience in leading teams and in-depth knowledge of economic development, planning, real estate and community revitalization strategies. Practical, working knowledge, and a proven track record of using a wide array of economic development financing tools is expected. The ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team to shape redevelopment plans for targeted areas of the City is essential.

The Assistant City Manager is responsible for providing complex administrative leadership within a dynamic, customer service focused local government through implementation of the City’s policy priorities. Kettering’s hometown character with high quality municipal government services provides for an outstanding professional opportunity.

The Assistant City Manager provides overall direction and supervision to designated departments that may include Planning and Development, Economic Development, Senior Services and Volunteer Administration. The Assistant City Manager has four direct reports. This newly-created position is responsible for approximately 24 full-time employees and $6.3 million expenditure authority.

The Ideal Candidate

The City of Kettering is seeking an experienced and seasoned leader who instills trust and confidence. The Assistant City Manager is a team player and provides City leadership with thoughtful, accurate and timely information and recommendations.

The successful candidate is a problem-solver who sees the big picture, identifies creative solutions, and demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making skills. The Assistant City Manager manages multiple projects and deadlines, is detail oriented, technically savvy and demonstrates political acumen. The Assistant City Manager will also effectively oversee multiple departments while providing senior level support to the City Manager.

The Assistant City Manager fully appreciates Kettering’s rich history and is focused on moving the organization forward. This individual understands the importance of preserving the community’s culture and identity and recognizes the importance of balancing Kettering’s varied perspectives in order to accomplish City Council’s priorities.

The successful candidate is an experienced professional who leads a team of accomplished staff and is fully invested in their continued success and development. The ideal candidate encourages creative thinking and provides staff with support, direction and feedback while building strong relationships across the organization.

The model candidate is a strong communicator who can successfully engage with varied audiences and is resilient and calm in the face of controversy. This individual has experience in community outreach and civic engagement and understands the importance of not only providing the public with accurate and timely information, but in being accessible, responsive and transparent.

The Assistant City Manager will provide key leadership in implementing the new community-based Strategic Plan. The Assistant City Manager will oversee and provide guidance in updating the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan with a heavy emphasis on public investment and redevelopment. The Assistant City Manager must be a creative problem solver in overseeing housing stock maintenance and neighborhood revitalization strategies, as well as aggressively pursue new opportunities.

The candidate must have excellent knowledge of contemporary principles and regulations pertaining to public administration as applied to municipal governments; the ability to individually develop complex plans and coordinate their implementation in a broad range of projects, functions and activities associated with City government; a good working knowledge of business practices, financial management and analysis, as well as economic development, planning, research, analysis, presentation, communications, employee and public relations skills; the ability to effectively represent the City at local, state and federal levels with proven positive public relations and media interaction, as well as communicate and work effectively with numerous community groups, individuals, organizations, citizens and other public officials and staff. Strong leadership, management, organizational skills and superior oral and written communications skills are a must. Managerial maturity, self-confidence and the ability to assist the City Manager in a leadership role to accomplish City goals must be clearly demonstrated.

Experience and Education

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning, public administration, financial administration, business administration, law, engineering or a related field is required; with five or more years of related experience. An advanced degree in a related field is preferred or may be required to be obtained.

Compensation

Salary range for this position is negotiable up to $184,454/year and contingent upon the candidate’s related experience, skills, education, knowledge and abilities. Extensive benefits include medical, dental insurance, life insurance, vacation leave, sick leave, vehicle allowance, educational assistance, deferred compensation, Employee Assistance Program and participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.

How to Apply

Please use the City’s online application portal at www.ketteringoh.org/jobs to complete an application and submit a resumé and cover letter. This position will remain open until filled with a first review of submissions beginning on or about February 19, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to visit www.ketteringoh.org for more detailed information about the City.

THE CITY OF KETTERING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Submissions in response to this recruitment are subject to release and disclosure to the media and general public under the Ohio Public Records Act.