JOB TITLE: City Manager
AGENCY: City of Coachella
LOCATION: Coachella, CA
FILING DEADLINE: February 13, 2026
SALARY RANGE: $275,000 – $310,000 Annually

THE POSITION
The City Manager plans, organizes, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all City functions and activities including providing policy guidance and program evaluation to the City Council and managing and mentoring staff. This position encourages and facilitates provision of services to City residents and businesses, fosters cooperative working relationships with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups, pursues appropriate avenues of economic and community development, attends community events, engages with residents and performs related work as required.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a visionary, strategic, stable, and high-energy leader who can work with city council, staff, and key stakeholders to achieve economic growth and improve quality of life for a diverse community. The successful candidate will have well-rounded skills in all facets of public sector governance, a proven track record in successful community development, and solid financial acumen. This position will require an individual that leads by setting a positive example of being proactive and organized; provides clear and consistent direction; and can assess talent, mentor, and develop a team-oriented, high-performing and accountable working environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required to manage the City as it moves to improve and promote new business ventures, as well as building and maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with regional and national business partners, staff, the school district, and elected officials.

A candidate that demonstrates the ability to work positively and effectively with staff and promote positive morale and team building in the organization is highly valued, as is their desire to embrace and be a part of the City of Coachella. The ideal candidate will be an innovative problem solver with a background working with various populations, and have solid experience in municipal finance, administration, and community & economic development.

Key Attributes and Characteristics
• An individual with the highest personal and professional integrity.
• A successful track history at building collaborative business and community-oriented working relationships.
• Provide diplomatic yet candid feedback to both Council and management staff in addressing the interest and concerns of the entire City Council.
• A strong leader who shares the vision of the council and community, and can advocate, articulate, and implement that vision.
• The ability to deliver information and comprehensive research to City Council in a balanced and unbiased manner and can provide options and solutions with different sides to an issue including the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks for each alternative.
• A manager who can blend innovation and creativity, think outside the box, and creatively move the city in a positive direction while acknowledging and responding to its challenges.
• A solid, optimistic leader and role model with a positive presence, who demonstrates initiative, is action oriented, treats others with respect, and is collaborative and approachable.
• An analytical leader able to use sound judgement and wisdom and maintain flexibility, who is politically astute, while remaining apolitical.
• An enthusiastic, inspiring, and engaged communicator. An active listener.
• The expectation is for the City Manager to be active and engaged within the community and to listen to residents’ interests and concerns and respond thoughtfully and respectfully. Past experience working in a contract city and negotiating contracts and services is helpful.

THE COMMUNITY
Located in Riverside County, Coachella, CA, is a vibrant city in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, known for its rich agricultural roots, diverse culture, community events, parks, and as the namesake (though not location) of the famous Coachella Music and Arts Festival held nearby in Indio. It’s a growing community with historic ties, featuring Mexican and farm-to-table cuisine, local parks, and serving as a gateway to the broader Palm Springs area and its attractions. Coachella is a desert valley known for its date farms, golf, tennis, and outdoor recreation.

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Coachella-CM.pdf

To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter, and five work-related references (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/coachella-city-manager/. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held. For additional information, please contact:

Frank Rojas
(510) 495-0448
Frank_Rojas@ajg.com
Website: https://koffassociates.com/