Chesterfield County, VA - County Administrator

Raftelis•Chesterfield, VA

About The Position

The County Administrator serves as the chief executive officer for the Chesterfield County government, leading operations across more than 4,500 full and part-time employees and managing a combined $2.4 billion operating and capital budget, including a five-year Capital Improvement Program. The Administrator advises the Board of Supervisors, recommends policies, and sets organizational priorities that support high-quality services and an exceptional quality of life for county residents. The County Administrator ensures compliance with federal, state and local laws; oversees the delivery of programs and services; and maintains open, collaborative communication with the Board of Supervisors, legislative partners, regional governments, the business community, nonprofit organizations and residents. A critical component of the role is the close working relationship with Chesterfield County Public Schools, including shared services and joint planning. Coordination with school leadership is essential to ensuring educational excellence and long-term quality of life for the entire county. The Administrator also plays a central role in regional cooperation, working across two Planning District Commissions and participating in complex regional agreements that support transportation, utilities, public safety, economic development and environmental stewardship. Experience working with nonprofit organizations is also important as these partnerships help deliver services and support throughout the county. The ideal candidate will bring an extensive level of local government leadership experience and a strong record of achievement in public sector management. Experience will include demonstrated success in economic and community development, managing growth in a diverse and rapidly evolving suburban community, redevelopment and revitalization of established neighborhoods, working with and understanding the needs of existing industry, and building Board, regional, and community consensus and leveraging nonprofit partners to enhance service delivery to community while embracing Chesterfield’s culture of innovation, service excellence and community engagement. Professional Skills and Management Style The successful candidate will be able to translate vision into action while aligning staff and resources with the county’s strategic goals. The professional skills and management style needed to accomplish this include: Visible, engaged leadership and a clear understanding of the County Administrator’s role Strong relationships with Board members, school leadership, regional leaders, community groups and residents Deep appreciation for diversity and the ability to communicate with sensitivity and authenticity Confident, enthusiastic presentation of ideas Self-motivated, hardworking and results-oriented Team builder who inspires and empowers others Skilled communicator across all levels of the organization Adaptability in a changing political and community landscape Strategic thinker with ability to see the “big picture” Organized, timely and transparent in responding to information requests Personal Traits A hallmark of the organization and one of its core values is ethical behavior consistent with and exceeding ICMA’s Code of Ethics; therefore, it is demanded in its leaders. The ideal candidate for this position will embody: Honesty, trustworthiness and openness Approachability and accessibility Proactive problem-solving Strong listening skills and responsiveness to Board and resident concerns Compassion and empathy Confidence paired with tact and diplomacy Personable demeanor with an appropriate sense of humor Ability to build consensus Apolitical professionalism

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, planning or related field is required; master’s degree is preferred.
Candidates should also demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Minimum of 10 years of public sector management experience as an executive in a comparably sized community is required.

Responsibilities

build consensus
select and develop high-performing division leaders
foster a culture of collaboration and accountability
engage effectively with residents, businesses, schools, nonprofits and community partners
oversee a $2.4 billion combined operating and capital budget, including five-year Capital Improvement Program with major utility, transportation and infrastructure investments
implement recruitment strategies that raise median wages and create career pathways for the county’s 5,000 annual high school graduates
managing complex performance grants
maintaining strong relationships with state and regional economic development organizations
attract and retain both large employers and small, innovative firms
understand complex zoning codes, comprehensive plan development, land-use planning, rural preservation, housing strategies, and quality-of-life initiatives
balancing growth with infrastructure capacity, environmental stewardship, and community character
relate to and develop a good working relationship with elected officials, constitutional officers, other localities, regional agencies and leaders, community organizations, schools, and state and federal agencies
model leadership in promoting regional cooperation
work cohesively with the county’s School Superintendent and School Board to accomplish the common goal of maintaining an award-winning school system with a vision for the future
developing and implementing new strategies that place Chesterfield County in a lead position to recruit high quality jobs to the county
developing and implementing strategies to positively manage new growth and attendant infrastructure needs, particularly those related to transportation, economic development, revitalization, and integrating new residents into the Chesterfield community and governance process
identifying potential sources of new local revenues and creative means of financing government services while ensuring that the county’s strong financial position is maintained