BUSINESS ADMIN

City of Ocean City•Ocean City, NJ

19h•$200,000 - $250,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Business Administrator is appointed by the Mayor and serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the municipality. This Full-Time position reports directly to a strong working Mayor and engages closely with a seven-member City Council. In this role, the Business Administrator manages the day-to-day operations of a full-service City. The position directs operations of all City departments including the Department of Administration, Finance; Law, Public Works; Engineering and Project Management, Police; Fire; and Community Services. The Department of Administration's core functions include personnel/human resources, purchasing, planning & zoning, and construction code.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public administration or a closely related field is required.
A minimum of seven years of experience as a city manager or business administrator in a city with similar operations.
Compatible executive management experience as a municipal department head or similar high-level managerial position with a demonstrated record of increasing responsibility may be substituted for city manager experience on a year-for-year basis.
A strong understanding of managing under New Jersey’s Faulkner Act Plan D form of government is mandatory.
Seasoned political acumen.
Transparent communication.
Strategic resource stewardship.
Balancing stakeholder needs.
Bridging the gap between elected officials, city administration, and a vocal resident population.
Maintaining the highest level of professional integrity and ethical standards.
Comprehensive knowledge across all facets of municipal operations—including public safety, public works, financial management, economic development, recreation and associated facility management, and planning/zoning.
Knowledge of labor relations and contract negotiations in a municipal setting is also required.
Demonstrated experience in collaborating with department heads to ensure strict accountability among team members.
Understanding the local tourism dependent economy and seasonal fluctuations.
Understanding the challenges, both operational and financial, that small business face in sustaining on-going business operations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree and/or MBA preferred.
A proven track record of competencies in all these operational disciplines is highly desired.

Responsibilities

Manages the day-to-day operations of a full-service City.
Directs operations of all City departments including the Department of Administration, Finance; Law, Public Works; Engineering and Project Management, Police; Fire; and Community Services.
Oversees personnel/human resources, purchasing, planning & zoning, and construction code.
Aligns long-term community growth and demographic trends with city services.
Oversees complex municipal budgets, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability.
Drives proactive capital planning and preventive maintenance schedules.
Manages a number of simultaneous large, often different capital projects.
Responds decisively to public emergencies and organizational changes.
Ensures operational initiatives are managed and completed as expected.
Navigates complex relationships between the city council, appointed boards, and diverse public groups.
Unites competing community priorities into actionable public policy through consensus building.
Translates legislative goals from elected officials into practical administrative action.
Fosters and builds public trust through ethical communication and transparency.
Ensures diverse and underserved community voices shape local service delivery.
Collaborates with department heads to ensure strict accountability among team members.
Cultivates a positive, customer-service-oriented internal culture.
Understands the local tourism dependent economy and seasonal fluctuations.
Understands the challenges, both operational and financial, that small business face in sustaining on-going business operations.
Partners with the Mayor, Council, and department heads to ensure the most efficient and effective delivery of essential services.