CHIEF OF STAFF — CITY OF MONTGOMERY (AL)
FLSA: Exempt | Classification: 0699 | Pay Grade: A16
About the City of Montgomery
Montgomery is a city with global significance and a future-focused agenda—set along the Alabama River, where the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers converge just north of the city and the river winds through downtown. As Alabama’s state capital and a nationally recognized center of American history, Montgomery continues to shape what’s next through civic innovation, downtown revitalization, neighborhood investment, and regional economic momentum. The city is advancing intentional development in and around downtown, alongside coordinated planning among key public partners to strengthen growth, connectivity, and quality of place.
Montgomery’s economy is supported by major employers and a strong industry base, including large-scale automotive manufacturing and a growing ecosystem of suppliers and workforce pathways. At the same time, the city is expanding its profile as a destination for outdoor recreation and tourism—anchored by the Montgomery Whitewater adventure park and other initiatives elevating the visitor experience. Montgomery is also home to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites, including The Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice—international destinations for visitors seeking to engage deeply with American history and its enduring impact.
The City’s current project pipeline includes targeted infrastructure and neighborhood-focused planning efforts supported by federal recovery funding—reflecting a practical, implementation-oriented approach to progress.
Nature of Work
The Chief of Staff serves as the Mayor’s principal representative and a senior executive leader responsible for ensuring city governance is coordinated effectively and efficiently. The role provides high-level oversight of city staff and operations; leads implementation of new programs and policies; manages major projects and broad administrative functions; and supports City Council relations and personnel matters.
As a key member of the Mayor’s staff, the Chief of Staff is responsible for the central coordination of activities (staffing and planning) and for ensuring a timely flow of information to and from the Mayor’s Office. The Chief of Staff serves in an advisory capacity on administrative matters within the assigned area and acts as a liaison between the Mayor’s Office, city departments, outside governmental agencies, and the community. Work is performed with considerable independence in judgment and decision-making. This position reports directly to the Mayor.
Key Responsibilities
This list reflects a job analysis and is not exhaustive; other duties may be assigned.
Strategy, Policy & Executive Coordination
● Supports the Mayor in strategic planning to ensure city programs, goals, and strategies are achieved and responsive to community and stakeholder needs.
● Coordinates development and implementation of city policies, procedures, and initiatives with the Mayor, City Attorney, and CFO, including through budget execution, within legislative and executive limits.
Departmental Oversight & Operational Performance
● Oversees city departments through regular engagement with department heads and key governmental partners, consistent with the Mayor’s directives, to ensure services and programs operate efficiently and effectively.
● Researches and analyzes data, agency issues, practices, trends, and staffing to identify solutions and opportunities for cost reduction, program improvement, and policy change.
Constituent Relations, Council Support & Stakeholder Management
● Supports the Mayor on staffing matters and manages intake and resolution of citizen complaints and public requests.
● Serves as a primary point of coordination with City Council members and department leaders to support Council functions and manage lobbying/legislative engagement, as applicable.
Community Partnerships & Public Engagement
● Builds partnerships with community and neighborhood organizations, the business community, the media, and other service and governmental agencies to foster cooperation and collaboration.
● Represents the City and/or Mayor through speeches and presentations; promotes public understanding of city services and programs; and strengthens positive public relations.
People Leadership & Citywide Management
● Provides professional and management-level supervision over approved city staff in citywide administrative functions, following the Mayor’s directives, to ensure consistent application of programs, services, policies, and procedures and effective department performance.
Special Projects, Events & Agreements
● Plans and executes special assignments, projects, events, and programs as assigned by the Mayor, including prioritizing work, establishing project plans, coordinating with City Council as 2 needed, monitoring progress, and negotiating or approving contracts and agreements, as applicable.
Budget & Financial Oversight
● Conducts budget and finance reviews and oversight consistent with city finance laws, including reviewing budget reports, financial statements, and requests for proposals; administering the budget after approval; approving contracts for supplies, equipment, and services; coordinating fiscal management; advising the City Council on financial conditions and future needs; reviewing bidding processes for major items; forecasting revenues; and maintaining financial integrity and service levels across city departments.
What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)
● The Mayor’s priorities translate into coordinated, measurable execution across executive-level departments, with clear staffing/planning rhythms and fewer avoidable delays.
● Departments operate with stronger alignment and accountability, staying current on policies while maintaining efficient, effective service delivery.
● Data-driven recommendations routinely improve operations, producing identifiable opportunities for cost reduction, program improvement, and policy refinement.
● City Council and community relationships remain constructive and well-supported, with effective issue management, reliable communication flow, and strong public-facing engagement.
● Major initiatives and special projects progress on plan, supported by sound project planning, coordination, and contract/agreement follow-through where applicable.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Law, Finance, or a closely related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible senior-level experience in public administration, municipal operations, or executive management, or experience as a senior executive in private industry within an organization of comparable complexity.
Note: Qualifying education, training, and experience that provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
