Deputy Town Manager

TOWN OF CORNELIUS • Cornelius, NC

11d • $150,000 - $192,000

About The Position

The Town of Cornelius, a vibrant lakeside community of 32,632 residents located along Lake Norman just north of Charlotte, is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking professional to serve as its next Deputy Town Manager.

This position is available due to the retirement of a long-tenured leader who served the organization for 13 years, including the last 8 years as Deputy Town Manager. This transition presents a unique opportunity to join a highly stable, collaborative, and high-performing leadership team.

The Deputy Town Manager serves as a key strategic partner to the Town Manager. Together, they lead the organization, support the Mayor, Town Board and Department Heads, engage with regional and state partners, and guide the Town’s continued growth and success.

This role blends operational leadership, strategic planning, and project management, with significant visibility both inside the organization and throughout the community.

Cornelius offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a community that values thoughtful growth, innovation, and service excellence, all while working alongside a dedicated and supportive leadership team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or county government
• At least 5 years must include progressive supervisory experience in a leadership role in municipal or county government such as Manager, Assistant Manager, or Department Head
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, analyze issues, and support executive-level decision-making
• Strong critical and strategic thinking; sound judgment
• Self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented
• Driven to operate independently, with strong follow through
• High integrity and professionalism
• Politically savvy with the ability to navigate complex environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative, approachable, and team-oriented
• Confident yet humble leadership style
• A desire to grow professionally and personally
• A commitment to delivering exceptional service to the community
• A willingness to support colleagues and departments across the organization
• Desire to tackle a challenge
• Curiosity and a continuous learning mindset

Nice To Haves

• Candidates with experience as a municipal or county Manager or Assistant Manager with broad organizational responsibility are strongly preferred
• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field

Responsibilities

• Lead and support transportation planning and project delivery, working with local citizens and advisory committees, including coordination with the regional MPO (CRTPO), partnership with NCDOT, funding development, and community engagement.
• Work closely with the Planning Department on rezonings, master plans, and ordinance and code updates to support responsible growth.
• Collaborate with regional partners to advance housing strategies that meet community needs.
• Develop and support the Town’s federal and state legislative priorities and advocacy efforts.
• Support the Town Manager in the management of town departments, and oversee key internal initiatives such as performance management and employee-focused programs.
• Lead and contribute to high-impact initiatives, such as policy development, organizational improvements, and environmental stewardship efforts.
• Represent the Town Manager across a wide range of meetings and partnerships and effectively communicate with diverse audiences.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with significant discounts for dependent coverage
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1x annual salary
• Participation in the North Carolina Local Government Retirement System (LGERS)
• 5% employer contribution to 401(k)
• Access to retiree benefits after 20 years of service with the Town
• Paid parental leave
• 13 paid holidays annually
• Vacation leave accrual based on total years of service within North Carolina government

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees