Assistant City Manager

The Assistant City Manager (ACM) provides high-level leadership and strategic counsel to the City Manager, serving as a vital link between the City Council's vision and operational execution. The ACM is responsible for empowering department heads to reach performance benchmarks, ensuring rigorous fiscal and administrative accountability, and spearheading complex, high-priority initiatives. This role requires a sophisticated ability to navigate the competing interests of community stakeholders while maintaining a commitment to organizational excellence and sustainable municipal growth. In this role, the Assistant City Manager will oversee a strategic executive portfolio that includes the Asheville Fire Department, the Asheville Police Department, Communication and Public Engagement (CAPE), IT Services, and Human Relations and Anti-Discrimination. QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS ■ Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or a closely related field from an accredited institution (Master of Public Administration I MPA preferred). ■ Experience: 1 O+ years of progressively responsible leadership in local government management. ■ Track Record: Demonstrated success in operational oversight, team leadership, and high-level strategic decision-making. Experience leading Public Safety departments preferred. ■ Residency: Must maintain a primary residence within Buncombe County, North Carolina, throughout employment. KEY CAPABILITIES & CORE COMPETENCIES ■ Data-Driven Leadership: Ability to audit data, evaluate patterns, and translate complex metrics into decisive action. ■ Strategic Communication: Skilled at synthesizing complex policies and reference materials into clear, actionable communication for multiple stakeholders. ■ Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to anticipate consequences, adapt to evolving environments, and independently develop innovative solutions. ■ Collaboration & Consensus Building: Proven talent for building professional relationships, fostering teamwork, and uniting groups around shared goals. ■ Tech Proficiency: Comfortable adopting and leveraging advanced technological systems and tools to streamline operations.