Under broad administrative direction from the City Manager, this position assists in planning, directing and reviewing the activities and operations of the City. Coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies. Assists in the development and implementation of the City’s strategic plans as well as strategies to achieve stated goals. Provides high level administrative, analytical, and technical support to the City Manager’s office to support decision making and policy direction. Serves as project manager for a variety of special projects, facilitating project activities and resolving issues. As directed, performs program and financial analyses, including participating in budget development. Keeps the City Manager informed about projects and issues of importance to City Council. Serves as a member of the senior management team. This position will have direct management oversight of several departments, which shall be dependent on the background of the successful candidate, in combination with the City Manager and Deputy City Manager.
Job Duties - Essential Functions
Provide Administrative and Management Support: Assist in the development of the City’s strategic plans as well as strategies to achieve stated goals. Develop systems and reports to monitor progress on strategic goals. Plan, coordinate, and participate in various program and administrative operations and activities including those having a City-wide impact. Coordinate assigned activities with City departments, outside agencies, and the general public as appropriate. Provide administrative, analytical, and technical assistance to the City Manager’s Office to support decision-making and policy direction. Participate in the preparation and/or review of a wide variety of studies, reports, contracts, agreements, correspondence, resolutions and ordinances. Provide daily support for the City Manager and its elected officials on projects/tasks needing completion with attention to detail and deadlines. Prepare routine memorandums for Council action as well as special reports requested by the City Manager. Attend City Council meetings and work sessions; perform necessary follow up and communicate with senior management team. Attend board and commission meetings, as well as neighborhood meetings, and keep the City Manager informed of issues or importance. Monitor the pending items list and keep the City Manager informed about projects and issues of importance. Catalog, track and report on emerging issues to the City Manager. As needed, research and recommend approaches to bring emerging issues to resolution. Assist the City Manager in preparing the City Council meeting packets, reports, correspondence, and related items to City Council and staff. As directed, perform program and financial analyses; conduct detailed cost analysis; make recommendations to improve cost and operational effectiveness; and participate in budget development.
Manage Special Projects: Participate in and/or manage specific programs/special projects as assigned by the City Manager, including complex research of new programs and services, budget analyses and preparation, and feasibility analyses. As assigned, manage complex projects/programs requiring collaboration and coordination across multiple departments and/or multi-faceted projects involving a single department that require monitoring by the City Manager’s office. May oversee professional contractors and/or consultants; interface with and monitor the consultants/contractors to ensure timely and quality completion of projects. Research, analyze and provide recommendations on organizational strategies, legislative affairs, and policy development. Plan, organize, and coordinate complex studies relating to citywide initiatives and activities. Research, coordinate, and prepare presentations, reports of study conclusions, and a variety of other informational material. Analyze administrative and operational problems and procedures and recommend alternatives/revisions/action. Prepare reports, memoranda, agreements, resolutions and other documents.
Provide Overall Direction and Leadership to Assigned City Department: Exercise direct management oversight of several City departments. Oversee management of personnel through subordinate levels of supervision. Provide the leadership necessary to meet the City’s current and long-range needs. Direct the development and implementation of the department's goals, objectives, policies, and priorities. Assist in the development and monitoring of departmental work plans, as well as, report progress on goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area. Recommend and administer department policies and procedures. Provide policy guidance and interpretation. Ensure that City and department policies, as well as, applicable laws and ordinances are consistently enforced. Conduct studies of operational issues and prepare recommendations on results. Evaluate recommended changes on organization, policy, and procedures. Review and evaluate department work products, methods, and procedures. Manage and participate in the development and administration of the department's budget; approve expenditures; and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary. Oversee the selection, training, discipling, and evaluation of department personnel. Direct the annual review of departmental job descriptions to ensure roles and responsibilities of all positions are accurately reflected. Coordinate with Human Resources on various personnel matters.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Job Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, management, business administration, planning, or related field from an accredited college or university. Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in a responsible public sector management position.
Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree. Over two (2) years of experience as an Assistant City Manager or Assistant to the City Manager.
Driver's License Requirements: Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.