Fifteen miles from downtown Los Angeles, tucked into the San Gabriel foothills, Pasadena is a city that punches above its weight — a vibrant, diverse community of more than 140,000 residents, home to Caltech, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and a global reputation for innovation. With 2,200 employees and a $1.5 billion budget, this full-service municipality owns and operates its own water and power utility.

Pasadena isn’t looking for a caretaker. It’s looking for a City Manager who leads change, not just manages it. More than 50 acres along the former 710 corridor represent one of the last major redevelopment opportunities in a fully built-out California city, and with the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games fast approaching, the next chapter is already being written — the question is who gets to help write it.

Reporting to the Council, the City Manager leads 15 departments and roughly 2,200 staff, and oversees a $365 million General Fund within a $1.5 billion total budget. The position also steers the City-owned Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, and Pasadena Media — while driving five bold Council priorities: fire facilities and prevention, roadway and pedestrian safety, year-round homelessness shelter, a carbon-free future, and economic development anchored in placemaking.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, human-centered leader — someone with serious executive leadership experience with, a track record of leading complex public-sector organizations, and the fiscal and political savvy to lead calmly, fairly, and equitably under pressure. With roughly 70% of the General Fund tied to personnel costs, this isn’t a job for incremental thinking. Pasadena needs a City Manager who brings real, creative solutions and reignites momentum across a talented team that has weathered consecutive citywide crises.

Candidates should hold a graduate degree in public or business administration or a related field, with eight years of progressively responsible municipal management experience, three at the executive level. Experience as a City Manager, preferably in California, is expected, and the selected candidate must reside in Pasadena.

The salary range is $380,000 to $425,000 annually, plus a competitive benefits package that includes relocation assistance for candidates moving to Pasadena.

The nationwide search is being conducted by The Byers Group. First consideration will be given to applications received by October 16, 2026. To apply, please submit a resume and letter of interest to Pasadena.CM@byersgroupca.com describing your interest, relevant accomplishments, and the attributes you would bring. Confidential inquiries are welcome and may be directed to Ms. Brett Byers at brett@byersgroupca.com or 323-403-8279, or Ms. Christine Boulware at christine@byersgroupca.com or 312-391-6098. To learn more, visit visitpasadena.com and cityofpasadena.net.