Village Manager - Village of Northbrook, IL

The Village of Northbrook, Illinois, is seeking an accomplished, collaborative local-government executive to serve as its next Village Manager. The salary is $250,000 +, with a comprehensive benefits package. This is a defining leadership opportunity in a high-performing, full-service community known for fiscal stewardship, civic engagement, professional management, and an exceptional quality of life. The next Village Manager will lead the organization and executive team while advancing the Village's five-year Strategic Plan and guiding major capital projects, economic development, infrastructure and utility priorities, workforce and labor matters, sustainability initiatives, fiscal stewardship, and continued public engagement.

About Northbrook

Located 26 miles north of Chicago, Northbrook (pop 34,744) combines outstanding municipal services, strong neighborhoods, highly regarded schools, parks and library services, an inviting downtown, and a diverse local economy. Northbrook benefits from strong intergovernmental, nonprofit, and business partnerships and a highly engaged community.

The Organization

Northbrook is a home-rule, managerial form of government which is governed by an elected Village President and six Trustees. The Village Manager is appointed by the governing body to implement policy and oversee operations, budgeting, capital planning, organizational leadership, and key relationships. The Village employs approximately 289 full-time-equivalent employees, operates with a $73 million operating and $180 million of all funds, and provides a full range of municipal services. Northbrook maintains Moody’s Aaa and S&P AAA bond ratings, reflecting its longstanding commitment to sound financial management.

Leadership Priorities

The next Village Manager will translate the May 2026 Strategic Plan into actionable work plans, budgets, performance measures, reporting, and accountability. Key priorities include overseeing major facility projects, including the $24.4 million Fleet Maintenance Garage, replacement Fire Station 11, and planned Police Station and Fire Headquarters; advancing economic development opportunities such as the Northbrook Court redevelopment, downtown vitality, Meadow Plaza, mixed‑use development, and affordable housing; preserving the Village’s fiscal strength while addressing capital, pension, infrastructure, and operational needs; and attracting, developing, and retaining a high-quality workforce through strong labor relations, succession planning, leadership development, employee engagement, and organizational accountability.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be an ethical, nonpartisan, service‑oriented, and approachable leader who combines strategic vision with operational discipline. Northbrook seeks an executive with comparable senior municipal leadership experience and a demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with elected officials, employees, residents, and community partners. Experience in municipal finance, capital planning, economic development, land use and housing, labor relations, workforce development, performance management, organizational change, and public communication will be important. The ideal candidate will bring integrity, sound judgment, innovation, and a commitment to transparent, equitable, responsive public service and collaborative problem solving.

Qualifications and Benefits

A bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 10 years of progressively responsible local‑government leadership experience are required; a master's degree is preferred. ICMA credentials are desirable, as is experience in a home‑rule, council‑manager, full‑service municipality and familiarity with the Chicago metropolitan area or Illinois local government. Northbrook residency is strongly preferred. Benefits include health insurance, partial dental coverage, employer‑paid life and disability insurance, paid leave, participation in IMRF, and deferred compensation.

The Village of Northbrook is an Equal Opportunity Employer.