City Manager

Position The City of Farmington Hills is experiencing an era of robust revitalization and growth. As Oakland County’s second largest city, with 84,000 residents and a daily bustling population of 114,000, the community is undergoing a generational transformation. This includes the opening of 19 new restaurants, newly adapted ordinances, the strategic revitalization of the Grand River Corridor, active arts programming and funding, and a highly anticipated $35M+ activities center to support services for seniors and the broader community. Backed by a clear strategic vision, the next City Manager will inherit significant momentum and will be expected to accelerate this forward trajectory. The City Manager serves as the chief administrative officer of the City, appointed by and working under the broad policy guidance of the mayor and a six-member City Council. In this role, the Manager directs, manages, and supervises the day-to-day administration of the City. The next leader will guide a highly professional workforce filled with passionate, skilled staff. Key operational responsibilities include full accountability for labor negotiations, day-to-day municipal operations, and rigorous fiscal oversight, including the administration of a $90 million general fund budget. Service delivery spans vital functions such as public safety (police and fire), public works, community development, economic development, and special services. Following a recent transition in leadership, the ideal candidate must bring a distinct bias for action, authentic interpersonal skills, strict fiscal discipline, and a proven ability to push a complex agenda forward while maintaining the trust of a diverse, highly engaged community. As a primary public face of the organization, the City Manager is expected to maintain an active, visible, and accessible presence throughout Farmington Hills. This includes frequent engagement with developers, business owners, nonprofit leaders, school district officials, and residents. Farmington Hills enjoys strong intergovernmental partnerships at both the state and federal levels; the successful candidate must deftly navigate these relationships while remaining firmly apolitical. Internally, the City Manager will ensure the City Council is prepared to make timely, data-driven decisions by providing comprehensive, objective information and clear professional recommendations. Furthermore, the next leader will bring exceptional project management skills to keep complex, long-term capital efforts on track, while actively engaging the public early in major initiatives to strengthen community-wide investment and share pride in the outcomes. Compensation and Benefits The expected hiring range for this position is $200,000 - $225,000, depending on qualifications, and the City of Farmington Hills offers a comprehensive benefits package. Confidentiality and Public Disclosure Candidates should be aware that Michigan's Open Meetings Act (OMA) governs how the City of Farmington Hills will handle this recruitment process. Under Michigan's Open Meetings Act, applications and resumes may be reviewed in closed session only if a candidate specifically requests confidentiality. Candidates who wish to make such a request should do so in writing at the time of application. Absent a written request, application materials may be discussed in open session. Candidates who are selected as finalists should expect that their interviews with the City Council will be conducted in public, open session, and that their names, qualifications, and interview responses will become part of the public record. All decisions regarding the selection of finalists, the preferred candidate, and the terms of employment will be made in open session. How to Apply Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at raftelis.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning July 21. Qualifications Minimum requirements include a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field is required. Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government, with at least five years of demonstrated leadership experience as a city manager, assistant city manager, or department head. Experience in a comparably sized, diverse community is preferred. A valid Michigan driver's license (or the ability to obtain one upon appointment) is required. Preferred qualifications include a Master of Public Administration or related advanced degree. #J-18808-Ljbffr