Newport News, VA (pop. 186,247) is seeking two highly skilled local government leaders for newly established Assistant City Manager (ACM) positions. The first of these impactful roles will oversee Finance and Administration and the second will be responsible for Community Development. Here is an opportunity to bring your passion and energy to cultivate synergy among the departments in each respective group to facilitate collaboration across the organization. We are looking for problem-solvers, advocates, and consensus builders who will serve as the primary liaisons with City Council and enable their respective teams to focus on the mission. Alongside two existing Assistant City Managers and other senior administrative staff, these new roles will join a talented executive team in supporting the City Manager to implement the City Council’s policy of serving the citizens and achieving the city’s strategic priorities. The successful candidates for each role will demonstrate political astuteness, innovation, and the ability to effectively lead subject-matter experts. They will be clear and effective communicators with a commitment to working cooperatively with their fellow ACMs in support of the City Manager. The City is continually challenging itself to break through convention while building forward for the future, and the oversight of these newly established senior leadership roles are key contributors to this goal.

Newport News, an All-America City, is the fourth most populous city in Hampton Roads (6th largest in Virginia) with a commitment to serving our citizens, empowering our youth, and offering a premier quality of life that includes the cultural arts, indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities, citywide community building events, and premier dining and retail options. Newport News is also home to Christopher Newport University, ranked #5 among southern public and private universities and is the regional headquarters of Riverside Health Systems. Other major employers include Newport News Shipbuilding, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Ferguson Enterprises, and Jefferson Lab.

Newport News has a FY2025 approved operating budget of more than $1.1 billion and 3,600 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions across all funds. As an independent city, it is considered a “county equivalent” with the authority of a consolidated city-county government, including allocating the budgets of Newport News Public Schools and constitutional offices such as the Sheriff and Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Assistant City Manager for Finance and Administration
• This portfolio includes the departments of Budget and Evaluation, City Assessor, Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology with a combined position count of 168 FTEs, an operating budget of $25M, and fiduciary funds of over $124M.

• This Assistant City Manager will possess broad fiscal and operational management experience in a municipality of comparable size and complexity. The role requires a strong understanding of municipal laws and regulations and a high-level understanding of long-term financial priorities such as debt management, tax exemptions, resource allocation, and revenue management. Additionally, the successful candidate should have a broad understanding of human resource functions and a willingness to seek solutions that provide more effective access to information and services and improve process efficiencies through technology. This position will demonstrate the ability to embrace innovation balanced with an understanding of established practices.

Assistant City Manager for Community Development
• This portfolio includes the departments of Codes Compliance, Development, and Planning, as well as the Brooks Crossing Innovation Opportunities Center. The departments of Codes Compliance, Development and Planning have a combined position count of 80 FTEs and a combined operating budget of $7.7M.

• This community development function will be crucial in initiating a sustained focus on housing affordability and the long-range planning of the city’s neighborhoods and land management needs. This Assistant City Manager will be expected to assess the current organization and resources of the operations in this portfolio to address service gaps and rally departments around a unifying vision.

• This Assistant City Manager will possess broad generalist knowledge of housing and community development, economic development, workforce development, and municipal planning and how these areas work together to create a thriving community. Experience with community revitalization and redevelopment is preferred.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, planning, or other related area. Ten years of progressively responsible experience, of which three years must include senior management/senior administrative local government experience. Master’s degree preferred. The anticipated salary range is $180,000-$220,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Moving expenses will be offered, as necessary.

Apply at www,GovHRjobs.com with a cover letter, resume, and contact information for five professional references by November 22, 2024. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Dele Lowman, MGT Senior Consultant, at (847) 380-3240 x141 or Rodney Crain, MGT Senior Consultant, at (847) 380-3240 x154.

Candidates may apply for either or both positions. Please indicate the appropriate position (s) at the time of application. The City of Newport News, VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.