JOB SUMMARY

The City Manager serves as the City's chief administrative officer and is appointed by and accountable to the City Council. Working within the council-manager form of government, the City Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and management of municipal operations in accordance with the Home Rule Charter, applicable laws, ordinances, resolutions, and policies established by the City Council.

The City Manager exercises substantial administrative authority and independent judgment in directing City operations, managing personnel and financial resources, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of municipal services, and implementing the City Council's policies and strategic priorities. The position provides executive leadership in strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, organizational development, and long-term community sustainability while promoting ethical governance, transparency, accountability, and operational excellence.

The City Manager serves as the principal administrative advisor to the City Council, providing timely, accurate, and objective information and professional recommendations regarding municipal operations, financial conditions, organizational performance, and current and future community needs.

The City Manager provides executive leadership and direct supervision to department directors and other positions assigned to the City Manager's administrative function in accordance with the City's approved organizational structure. Additionally, the City Manager maintains a collaborative working relationship with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board and Director to support economic development initiatives, align strategic priorities, and advance the City's long-term goals.

Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is an experienced, ethical, and forward-thinking municipal executive who demonstrates strong leadership, sound judgment, financial stewardship, and a commitment to public service. This individual is an engaged and approachable leader who values transparency, accountability, professionalism, and active involvement in the community.

The successful candidate demonstrates political acumen while maintaining professional neutrality and the ability to establish productive working relationships with the entire City Council. The individual communicates openly and effectively, provides objective recommendations, addresses difficult issues with professionalism, and builds trust among elected officials, employees, residents, and community stakeholders.
The ideal candidate possesses a collaborative yet decisive leadership style, establishes clear expectations, delegates authority appropriately, and holds department leadership accountable for organizational performance. The individual fosters a positive workplace culture that values integrity, employee development, respectful communication, innovation, and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate demonstrates a proven ability to manage complex municipal operations, oversee financial resources, guide capital improvement and infrastructure planning, and promote long-term fiscal sustainability. Experience navigating community growth, managing development-related challenges, strengthening internal controls, and modernizing municipal systems and processes is highly desirable.

The City seeks a leader who can balance long-term vision with practical execution, respect the roles and responsibilities established by the council-manager form of government, and maintain a consistent commitment to serving the best interests of the entire community.

Opportunities and Challenges:
• Maintaining transparency, accountability, and public trust in City operations and decision-making.
• Ensuring residents, businesses, and the Council receive timely, accurate, accessible, and consistent information.
• Translating Council priorities into clear organizational goals, measurable outcomes, and implementable work plans.
• Managing the impacts of continued growth while preserving Elgin’s unique identity, community character, and quality of life.
• Planning, funding, and delivering infrastructure and capital improvements—particularly roads, water, wastewater, stormwater, drainage, facilities, and other assets—to support growth and long-term service reliability.
• Strengthening the City’s financial sustainability, including long-range financial planning, utility financial sustainability, grant development, capital financing, and responsible stewardship of public funds.