Sumter Local Government Consulting is assisting the City of Sarasota, Florida to recruit for a new City Manager. Sarasota, Florida, is a vibrant and culturally rich city nestled along the Gulf Coast, celebrated for its beautiful beaches, artistic vitality, and small-town charm. Consistently ranked among America’s Best Places to Live by U.S. News & World Report, Sarasota offers the perfect balance of sophistication, coastal living, and community spirit. With a population of roughly 60,000 residents, the city’s vitality expands significantly during the winter months, when seasonal residents and visitors swell the community to over 100,000 people.

Sarasota operates under a Commission–Manager form of government. The City Commission serves as the community’s legislative and policymaking body, consisting of five members, two elected at-large and three elected from single-member districts. Each serves a four-year term, with elections staggered in even-numbered years. Each November, Commissioners select from among themselves a Mayor and Vice Mayor.

The City Manager, appointed by the Commission, will partner with the City Commission to align strategic goals, prepare and present the annual budget, implement policy directives, oversee all major departments including Finance, Public Works, Planning and Development Services, and serve as a key interface between the Commission, staff and the community. They will drive performance, enhance operational efficiency, support organizational development, and foster transparency and responsiveness across the organization.

The next City Manager of Sarasota will be a forward-thinking, problem-solver, who is energetic and a collaborative leader with a passion for public service and a proven ability to bring people together. The ideal candidate will value transparency, communication, and teamwork. 

The ideal candidate must have:
Considerable progressive senior management experience. 
A bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, public policy, or a related field is expected. While not mandatory, a master’s degree is highly desirable. 
Per the City Charter, the City Manager is expected to reside in the city. A reasonable amount of time will be provided to candidates to move into the city limits. 
ICMA membership (paid for by the City) must be obtained within 6 months of being hired. 

Salary

The hiring range for this position is from $275,000 – $295,000

Application Process

For more information on this position, including supplementary documents and resources, visit the recruitment webpage at:
https://sumterlocalgovconsulting.com/recruitments/city-manager-city-of-…

The first review of resumes will take place on December 12, 2025.

Please refrain from communicating with the staff or elected officials of the City of Sarasota. Please direct inquiries to Sumter Consulting through the Executive Recruiter with any questions or concerns: 
Warren Hutmacher
Email: warren@sumterconsulting.com
Phone: 404.535.0525 
Website: www.sumterlocalgovconsulting.com