Clarinda is a charming community with many beautiful parks and recreation areas for outdoor fun, as well as the Clarinda Lied Center for indoor activities. Clarinda is home to many unique amenities and activities, such as the Glenn Miller Birthplace Home & Museum; Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum; the Clarinda Promenade Walking Tour, covering a 20-block area filled with 14 historic buildings; Clarinda A’s Baseball; and the Nodaway Valley Historical Museum. Clarinda is the county seat of Page County, served by an active Chamber of Commerce and the Clarinda Economic Development Corporation, and offers a business-friendly environment. Clarinda has adopted the Vision 35 Plan, a strategic plan designed to address current community needs while building a vibrant, connected, and prosperous future. It is anchored in three core priorities: People, Place, and Prosperity. The plan includes strategies related to promoting Housing, Educational Investment, Family Care, Wellbeing & Engagement, and Proactive Infrastructure Development, and Community Attractiveness & Appeal, among others. Clarinda is well-positioned for growth, with a certified development site, strong infrastructure and active economic development groups and programs, all supported by a strong strategic vision.

Candidates should possess a four year degree (Master’s preferred) in public administration, planning, or a related field and experience in municipal management or public leadership. The new Manager should also possess strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as exceptional financial management, economic development, planning, personnel management, and organizational development capabilities. Desired expertise: Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, staff management, and intergovernmental relations. Comprehensive understanding of municipal government structure, finance, and community development practices preferred. Ability to work collaboratively with elected officials, staff, community members, and external partners, effectively implementing initiatives. Must be bondable. Keep the council informed in a timely manner. Build and maintain relationships and work closely with community partners, including Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, school representatives, board and commission members, etc. Promote coordination and emphasize communications among department’s staff. Establish expectations for staff performance and track results. Be a community booster and actively participate in service clubs and community events. Create and maintain an open and respectful work environment. Establish the framework for a cohesive, team-driven city hall staff. Schenck Lake Park Playground The next City Manager will be an insightful, compassionate, and committed leader who communicates effectively and provides strong direction and develops strategic actions to achieve the community's vision. The City Manager will become involved in the community, being highly accessible and engaged at community events, and promote an atmosphere of quality constituent service. The successful candidate should be a direct communicator and also possess a a positive and progressive attitude, as well as a strong customer service and staff support orientation.

The City of Clarinda, Iowa (5,369) seeks a strong leader with outstanding listening and communication skills, as well as economic development and strategic planning capabilities for its next City Manager. Clarinda is a mature community and is the county seat of Page County. Clarinda enjoys an enviable location 125 miles southeast of Des Moines, 80 miles southeast of Omaha, and 125 miles north of Kansas City. Clarinda’s community charm, and forward-thinking elected officials, and supportive business environment offer a unique professional opportunity to enjoy an amazing quality of life and facilitate impressive economic growth. The City Manager will be highly engaged throughout the community and with community partners. The City offers a competitive benefits package and a starting salary between $130-145K DOQ. City residency preferred and participation in community events is required. Relocation allowance is negotiable. To apply, submit resume, cover letter, and five references by October 10, 2026, 4:30 p.m. Central Time to theiamanagementconsulting@gmail.com. Inquiries can be directed to Theia Management Consulting, LLC at 515.322.6597.

It is the City’s intent to conclude the search process as expeditiously as possible. Therefore, candidates are urged to tentatively mark the following dates on their schedules: Application deadline: October 10, 2026, 4:30 PM Semifinalists notified: October 12, 2026 Virtual interviews: October 15, 2026 Finalist interviews: November 6-7, 2026 Employment Agreement approval: November 11, 2026 Start of employment: 30-45 days after approval