The City of Oberlin, a nationally recognized community known for its vibrant culture, progressive values, and deep historical roots, is seeking a dynamic and visionary City Manager to lead its municipal operations. Located just 35 miles southwest of Cleveland, Oberlin is home to a diverse population and the esteemed Oberlin College and Conservatory, making it a hub of innovation, arts, and civic engagement. The next City Manager will play a vital role in fostering an inclusive, sustainable future while ensuring efficient city services and maintaining Oberlin’s long-standing fiscal stability.

We are searching for a values-driven, community-oriented leader who brings strong municipal management experience and a people-centered leadership style. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and effective communicator who can cultivate trust across a wide range of stakeholders—from residents and city staff to institutional partners. This is an opportunity to guide a talented team, implement forward-looking plans, and champion fiscal and environmental stewardship, economic development progress and high-quality service delivery.

To learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity, including the full scope of responsibilities, desired qualifications, and application instructions, we invite you to review the full recruitment brochure on the Pracademic Partners website.

Salary range: $150,000-$180,000. The Council is open to an employment agreement and also to a multi-year contract term.

This recruitment effort is confidential and all contacts, inquiries and communications will be treated as such throughout the process. This position is considered open until a final selection is made. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by May 7, 2025. Expressions of interest should be sent via email and should include a cover letter, resume, and list of three (3) references. Pracademic Partners is assisting the City with this executive search. All materials should be sent, in confidence, to: ian@pracademicpartners.com with the subject line: Oberlin - City Manager