The City of Mercedes, Texas invites applications for City Manager. Executive search conducted by Altiva Management Group.

ABOUT MERCEDES
Mercedes is a full-service city of 17,915 residents on Interstate 2 in the Rio Grande Valley, between McAllen and Brownsville. Founded in 1907, it operates under a Commission-Manager form of government with 163 employees in 11 departments and a $29.6 million annual budget. Generational water, drainage, street, and retail projects are already in motion.

THE POSITION
The City Manager is the City’s chief administrative officer, appointed by and reporting to the Mayor and City Commission. The Commission wants a leader who gets along with everybody, is strong in finance, communicates plainly, and sells Mercedes as a place to live, work, and invest.

Key responsibilities:

Direct all 11 departments through their department heads; hire, evaluate, and develop the leadership team.
Prepare and administer the annual budget and capital program; strengthen audits and internal controls; serve as a second level of review over the Finance Department.
Carry out Commission policy, keep the Mayor and Commission informed, and bring major purchases, obligations, and contracts forward for review.
Set annual goals with clear measures, report progress regularly, and take part in a yearly evaluation.
Deliver streets and sidewalks, water and wastewater, drainage, and parks projects with state and federal funding partners.
Strengthen hiring, evaluation, benefits, and discipline processes; document procedures across departments.
Expand online services and public information; run a fair, open contracting process with reasonable consideration for local vendors.
Build strong relationships with the school district, the irrigation district, the RGV Livestock Show, and county, state, federal, and regional partners; promote Mercedes for industry, housing, and investment.
Be a visible leader in every neighborhood and attend all Commission meetings.

REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, finance, planning, or a related field.
Five years in municipal management, or leading a municipal department or major operation, with direct responsibility for budget, personnel, and large capital projects. County experience considered.
Proven experience building and managing a public budget.

PREFERRED

Master’s degree in public administration or a related field.
Three to five years as a City Manager.
Certified Public Manager or ICMA Credentialed Manager designation.
Grants, infrastructure, and economic development experience.
Spanish-speaking ability.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
A team player with the Commission, staff, residents, and partners. Strong in finance and accountable for results. A clear, honest communicator about the good and the bad. A visible ambassador who owns the position and sells Mercedes. A regional vision for growth. High ethical standards and a long-term commitment to the community.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
$150,000 to $175,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits include Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) membership; health, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid leave and holidays; and executive benefits negotiated in the employment agreement.

SELECTION PROCESS
Position posts October 16, 2026. Filing deadline Friday, November 13, 2026. Semifinalists to the Commission December 1. Final three recommended December 15. Interviews in Mercedes the week of January 4, 2027. Possible Commission vote January 19, 2027. Semifinalists complete a supplemental application, followed by video interviews, background and employment verification, and in-person interviews with the Mayor and City Commission.

HOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter, resume, and brief initial application online at altivamg.com/mercedes. All applications must be submitted online and go directly to Altiva Management Group. Confidential inquiries: Ramiro Garza Jr., Managing Partner, (956) 793-2871.

The City of Mercedes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications and related materials are subject to the Texas Public Information Act; candidate names are kept confidential to the extent the law allows.