City Manager - Statesboro, GA

Developmental Associates•Statesboro, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Statesboro, Georgia, is seeking an experienced, visionary, and collaborative executive to serve as its next City Manager. This role follows the retirement of the long-tenured City Manager and comes at a pivotal time for Statesboro, a rapidly growing city that blends Southern heritage with a dynamic university town atmosphere. The incoming Manager will lead a high-performing organization, manage significant regional economic development, and guide critical infrastructure and downtown revitalization projects. The City operates under a council-manager form of government, with the City Manager appointed by and reporting to the Mayor and City Council. The annual FY2026 budget is $103,985M, supporting 360 full-time employees. The city's mission is to provide responsive and progressive public services to ensure a high quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors, guided by values of integrity, innovation, stewardship, and a mission focus.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years increasingly responsible professional experience in local government management.
Five years of progressive experience as a department head or assistant city manager.
Minimum of bachelor’s degree required.
Proven track record in effective intergovernmental relations.
Proven track record in personal community engagement.
Proven track record in economic development successes.
Proven track record in leading cohesive and strategic change.
Proven track record in visionary leadership.
Proven track record in leading and implementing strategic planning to meet community goals.
High ethical integrity and conviction.
Humble, compassionate, and collaborative leadership style.
Demonstrated expertise in municipal finance, budget management, and capital project execution.
Exceptional intergovernmental and diplomatic skills to navigate complex political environments and build regional consensus.
A track record of empowering department directors while holding operations accountable to performance metrics.
Comfort and poise in representing the City’s interests before state legislators, regional authorities, and community organizations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
ICMA certification is desired.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic growth management while preserving Statesboro’s authentic community character.
Lead major utility and public works initiatives, including expanding natural gas delivery, updating wastewater treatment capacity, and advancing downtown infrastructure investments.
Advance the Blue Mile Project, a multi-million-dollar revitalization initiative to connect Georgia Southern University to the historic downtown.
Deepen strategic alignment and partnerships with key regional stakeholders, including Bulloch County, Georgia Southern University, the Bulloch County Board of Education, local development authorities, and neighboring municipalities.
Champion workforce development, strategic succession planning, and continued investments in staff growth and competitive compensation.
Enhance neighborhood revitalization, expand affordable housing efforts, and advance innovative, non-policing community programs that empower local youth.
Direct comprehensive municipal operations across General Government & Judicial (Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Planning & Development, Engineering, Central Services, Public Affairs, Municipal Court), Public Safety (Police and Fire Services), Public Works (Streets, Parks, Fleet Maintenance, Solid Waste, and Stormwater), and Public Utilities (Natural Gas System, Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, Reclaimed Water, and Wastewater Treatment).
Work continuously with Mayor and Council to enhance community engagement through nine advisory boards and commissions.
Lead an inclusive strategic planning process incorporating input from the Mayor, City Council, municipal staff, and the public.
Conduct a comprehensive review of operations, infrastructure needs, and staffing structures while earning trust across all city departments.
Identify federal, state, and intergovernmental grant opportunities to fund critical utility expansions, especially gas, and advance the $8M–$10M Blue Mile infrastructure phase.
Ensure strong, transparent communication and individual working relationships with the Mayor and members of the City Council to support policy execution.