Somersworth, NH (12,159 pop.), seeks an experienced leader, collaborator, facilitator and visionary to serve as the next City Manager. Located in Strafford County in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, Somersworth is a City with a big heart and a small-town New England feel. Somersworth is a community steeped in rich history but is also a City on the move with many great attributes and a lot of momentum.
Somersworth is in close proximity to Portsmouth and New Hampshire’s Seacoast, which are about 25 minutes away. Concord, the State Capital, is about an hour away as is Portland, Maine, while Boston can be reached in 75 minutes. Abundant outdoor recreational activities abound in the Lakes Region and the White Mountains of New Hampshire which can be reached in one and two hours respectively.
Somersworth offers the right candidate an outstanding blend of family festivals, cultural activities, outdoor pursuits and quiet spaces. Known for its engaged citizenry and forward-thinking ideas, Somersworth offers a sound regional foundation of education, medical care, quality of life and stability as a community.
The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and oversees an operating budget of approximately $20 million with an additional $7.2 million in Enterprise Funds. The City has a workforce of 108 full-time and 14 part-time employees, with five collective bargaining agreements. There are seven direct reports to the Manager. The next Manager should be a strong and regular communicator of information to the City Council and the public, possess demonstrated managerial and interpersonal skills, have the ability to confidently lead and motivate a dynamic staff, and be a visionary to continue the progress and harness the momentum throughout the City.
The City Charter reads that the City Manager may reside outside the City while in office only with the approval of the Council. Under this scenario, the successful candidate’s primary residence must be within a reasonable commuting distance from the City, and they must be fully engaged with the City/Community.
The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, master’s preferred in a related field and five to seven years of progressively responsible executive level municipal experience or equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates likely success in the position. Salary range to $170,000; starting salary commensurate with qualifications. Somersworth is an equal opportunity employer.
For further information potential candidates are directed to the Municipal Resources, Inc. website at www.mrigov.com/career or to contact Municipal Resources, Inc. at 603-279-0352 ext. 330. To apply submit a resume and cover letter, in confidence, as a PDF attachment to recruitment@mrigov.com by Wednesday February 12th, 2025, at 8 AM EST.