City Manager – City of Concordia, Kansas
The City of Concordia, Kansas, is seeking an experienced, community-minded professional to serve as its next City Manager. The city is looking for a proven local government leader who can balance the day-to-day responsibilities of municipal management with a forward-looking vision for Concordia's future.
The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, effective problem solver, strong communicator, and collaborative leader who is committed to the community and understands the importance of working closely with elected officials, employees, residents, businesses, and community organizations.
Desired Qualifications
The City is seeking candidates with:
· Five to nine years of progressively responsible professional experience, preferably in municipal government or a related public-sector environment.
· A bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, political science, or a related field.
· A master's degree in public administration (MPA) or a related field is preferred.
· Relevant professional experience may substitute for some or all of the educational requirements, depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
The successful candidate should bring demonstrated experience and knowledge in several key areas of municipal management.
Key Leadership Competencies
Problem Solver and Decision Maker The City Manager should be a practical and thoughtful problem solver who can evaluate complex issues, identify options, make sound recommendations, and move the organization toward solutions. The successful candidate should be comfortable making difficult decisions while seeking appropriate input from elected officials, staff, and the community.
Commitment to Community The City Manager should be visible, approachable, and genuinely invested in Concordia. The successful candidate will understand the importance of listening to residents, building relationships, responding to community concerns, and working with local organizations and businesses to strengthen the community.
Strategic Planning The City Manager should have experience developing and implementing strategic plans and translating broad community and governing-body priorities into specific goals, timelines, responsibilities, and measurable outcomes.
Budget & Financial Management The successful candidate should possess strong knowledge of municipal budgeting and finance, including annual budget development, financial forecasting, capital planning, fiscal sustainability, expenditure management, and communicating financial issues to elected officials and the public.
Housing Development Experience with housing development and strategies to expand housing opportunities is highly desirable. The City Manager should understand the role local government can play in encouraging housing investment, supporting developers, addressing housing needs, and creating an environment that encourages residential growth.
Economic Development The City Manager should have experience working with businesses, developers, economic development organizations, and community partners to encourage investment, job creation, business retention, and expansion.
Downtown Revitalization Experience with downtown development and revitalization is desirable. The successful candidate should understand the importance of a vibrant downtown to the community's economic health, identity, and quality of life and be capable of working with businesses, property owners, community organizations, and elected officials to advance revitalization efforts.
Infrastructure Planning The City Manager should have experience evaluating infrastructure needs and developing long-term plans for streets, water, wastewater, stormwater, facilities, and other municipal assets. The successful candidate should understand the importance of prioritizing capital investments while maintaining the City's long-term financial sustainability.
Leadership Style
The ideal candidate will be: approachable and accessible, ethical and trustworthy, collaborative and team-oriented, strategic and forward-thinking, a strong communicator, committed to employee development and organizational excellence, engaged in the community
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of professional municipal management experience, financial and operational expertise, strategic thinking, and a genuine
commitment to community. Concordia is seeking a leader who will work collaboratively with the governing body and staff while also bringing the confidence and professional judgment necessary to move the organization forward.
The City of Concordia offers a competitive salary range of $110,000 to $130,000, depending on qualifications and experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package.
How to Apply
To apply submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to LEAPS-Concordia@lkm.org. If confidentiality is requested, please note in application materials. Position will remain open until filled. Application review will begin October 11. EOE.