Assistant City Manager

City of Buda•City of Buda Municipal Complex, TX

About The Position

The Assistant City Manager provides executive oversight for assigned departments and helps ensure excellent customer service and responsiveness across the City. The position operates with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility and requires high ethical standards and integrity as a representative of the City’s leadership team. The role involves planning, organizing, assigning, directing, and reviewing the work of professional personnel responsible for administering City services. The Assistant City Manager serves in the City Manager’s absence and performs other duties assigned by the City Manager. As a member of the Leadership Team, the Assistant City Manager advises the City Manager and City Council on strategic goals and initiatives; guides City operations; develops and recommends programs; manages special projects; coordinates grant writing and reporting; and provides direction to departments and staff on advancing assigned outcomes, strategies, and policies. The role also supports annual budget preparation and administration, financial integrity, service levels, master planning, and short- and long-range departmental plans. The position prepares and presents agenda items, represents the City at regional meetings, serves as a liaison for the City Council when directed, and maintains relationships with community partners, businesses, media, and the public. It monitors progress toward fiscal and strategic objectives, responds to inquiries and complaints, stays informed about legislative initiatives, and remains available during emergencies as required. The Assistant City Manager also manages and monitors senior managers’ performance, makes recommendations regarding hiring and discipline, and may realign work and staffing.

Requirements

Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, urban or regional planning, finance, or a related field.
Five years of experience in a municipal governmental supervisory or management capacity.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and practices affecting municipal government, including public finance, land use, procurement, economic development, and intergovernmental relations.
Knowledge of community and economic development, public-private and strategic partnerships, incentives, and relationships with business and community organizations.
Knowledge of financial and resource management, including municipal budgeting, capital improvement planning, debt management, grants, auditing, and workforce planning.
Knowledge of municipal operations and service delivery, including planning and development, infrastructure, water and wastewater, streets and drainage, construction, parks and recreation, libraries, and related services.
Knowledge of public administration, municipal management, organizational development, strategic planning, and resource allocation.
Knowledge of public information, executive communications, media relations, community engagement, and stakeholder relations.
Knowledge of local-government technology and data governance, including process improvement, performance measurement, cybersecurity, data privacy, risk management, and responsible use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Skill in analyzing complex financial and operational issues, researching options, evaluating alternatives, and developing practical recommendations.
Skill in building working relationships and facilitating collaboration among public officials, employees, boards and commissions, agencies, businesses, community organizations, media, and the public.
Skill in identifying and implementing process improvements, technology solutions, and service changes and evaluating their results.
Skill in preparing and presenting clear executive communications, including staff reports, agenda materials, policies, presentations, and other written materials.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage complex assignments while balancing service needs, efficiency, risk, accountability, and public trust.
Ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, build consensus, and collaborate with people from varied backgrounds and roles.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making in complex, sensitive, or high-impact situations.
Ability to lead and develop managers and employees, support accountability and innovation, and guide organizational change.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive information and matters.
Ability to translate City Council direction and organizational priorities into policies, programs, projects, and measurable outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Certified Public Manager (CPM), AICP, GFOAT, CGFO, ICMA-CM, and/or CNU-A certification or designation.

Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the Leadership Team and advises the City Manager and City Council on the City’s strategic goals and initiatives.
Guides City operations while serving as Assistant City Manager and serves in the City Manager’s absence.
Develops and recommends program initiatives to meet departmental and City goals.
Confers with department directors about preparing and implementing programs.
Manages special projects assigned by the City Manager.
Coordinates the City’s grant writing and reporting activities.
Directs departments, offices, programs, and staff on advancing assigned outcomes, strategies, and policies, including policy and procedure revisions.
Carries out the City Manager’s directives regarding policy interpretation, represents the City Manager in resolving problems and conflicts, and helps establish sound management practices.
Collaborates with City partners, including the Buda Economic Development Corporation, Buda Chamber of Commerce, nonprofits, and local businesses.
Assists with preparation of the annual City budget and oversees or assists with annual budget administration and reporting for assigned departments.
Coordinates and recommends changes to programs, policies, strategies, and initiatives for City Council consideration to maintain financial integrity and service levels.
Prepares agenda items and gives presentations to the City Council and City boards.
Provides leadership and direction for short- and long-range departmental plans and projects.
Develops and administers personnel and operational policies and procedures and provides training and direction to improve productivity and efficiency.
Represents the City at area and regional meetings and attends professional development workshops.
Acts as a liaison for the City Council as directed.
Responds to inquiries about City activities and matters to resolve problems or complaints.
Maintains working relationships with the public, media, schools, businesses, and community, civic, and neighborhood organizations.
Directs development, presentation, recommendation, and implementation of master plans and special projects, coordinating with decision-making bodies, departments, agencies, and the public.
Manages, coordinates, and makes recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, and other appropriate bodies about City programs and operations.
Attends City Council and board and commission meetings as needed, investigates matters, and reports on matters requiring action.
Monitors local, state, and federal legislative initiatives and works with department directors to analyze proposed legislation.
Remains available during emergency situations as required.
Assists with planning and implementation of community events and festivals.
Monitors progress toward fiscal and strategic objectives and adjusts plans as needed.
Manages and monitors senior managers’ work performance, recommends hiring and disciplinary actions, evaluates program and work effectiveness, establishes broad organizational goals, and realigns departmental work and staffing.
Performs other related duties as assigned.