Township Manager, Laketown Township, MI (pop. 6,192). Laketown Township is a growing Township in a thriving area located at a strategic midpoint between Holland and Saugatuck in beautiful West Michigan. Founded in 1858, Laketown Township is in Allegan County and encompasses 21.6 square miles. Residents enjoy Laketown’s non-commercialized environment and its dozens of family-friendly outdoor recreational opportunities.

Laketown’s bountiful natural resources include six (6) miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Laketown Beach, the 1,000-acre Saugatuck Dunes State Park, seven (7) Township parks, three (3) lakes, a nationally recognized disc golf course, several mountain bike trails, and thirteen (13) miles of non-motorized trails. Additionally, the Township Board and staff are continually making improvements including the recently added pickleball courts. Laketown Township is home to the unique and historic 100-cottage Castle Park built in the 19th century. Macatawa Park, another turn-of-the-century development, is where L. Frank Baum wrote the Wizard of Oz. Laketown Township also owns and oversees the operation of the renowned historic Felt Mansion.

Laketown Township has a quality staff and is fiscally strong with strong increases in property values. The unrestricted unallocated general fund reserve is $1.4 million, or approximately nine months of annual operating costs. The Township provides a wide range of public services with a combined budget of $3,800,00 million, performed by eleven (11) full-time staff supplemented by part-time staff and contractual services. Laketown’s services include legislative, elections, community development, parks, recreation, fire, cultural, Downtown Development Authority (DDA), public improvements, cemetery, assessing, and general administration. Municipal water and sewer systems are available to northern and southern portions of the Township through contractual agreements with neighboring communities. The Fire Department is operated by Laketown according to an intergovernmental agreement and shared revenue with Fillmore Township. County sheriffs provide police services. The Township board approves the annual budget on an April 1 through March 31 basis. http://laketowntwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/031325BudgetApproved…

Laketown is a general law township. Its five-member board consists of a supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and two trustees — all elected officials have four-year terms. The Township Board is responsible for establishing policies, adopting the budget, appointing committee memberships, and hiring the Township Manager.

The Township Manager reports directly to the Board, serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Township, and carries out directives and implements policies of the Board. The Township Manager provides oversight and administrative support to the departments. The position is contractual.

The successful candidate is required to have:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Experience:

• Five (5) or more years of administrative/supervisory experience in government with responsibility for budgeting, personnel, purchasing, and human resources.
• Knowledge of
o Principles and practices of public finance, including principles of fund accounting
o Principles and practices of budget development and control
o Principles and practices of public administration
o Management and supervisory principles and practices
o Principles and practices of media relations and presentation skills
o Grant application and administration experience
• Professional experience working with a policymaking board.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement and consensus building.
• Ability to strategically plan and implement complex and creative operational programs.
• Ability to manage and/or oversee Township infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated integrity of, and accountability for, services provided by the Township.
• Supervisory experience using collaborative management principles.

Preferences:
• Preference for candidates with experience as a Township Manager, Deputy Township Manager, City Manager, or an Assistant City Manager in a comparably-sized or larger organization
• Graduate degree in Business, Public Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field preferred
• Residency is not required yet preferred

The compensation range for the position is $115,000 - $135,000, DOQ/E, (inclusive of base pay and incentive bonus) depending on experience. The Township also offers a competitive benefit package via an employment agreement.

Apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with résumé, cover letter, and contact information for five professional references (no references will not be contacted without prior notice). For questions, contact MGT Approved Independent Executive Recruiter Ryan Cotton at 847-380-3240 at Ext. 114.

The comparative review of resumes will begin on June 30, 2025. Applicants will be screened continuously, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates’ applications remain confidential until the semi-finalist stage.