Fort Lauderdale, FL (pop. 184,255) seeks a sophisticated and highly skilled municipal executive to serve as its next City Manager. This high-profile position is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Commission and manages a total budget of over $1 billion. The City Manager also leads a workforce of almost 3,000 employees, 87% of whom belong to collective bargaining units. The leadership team is a healthy mix of longer-tenured and newer department heads who possess deep subject-matter expertise in their respective areas and share a strong sense of interdependence and camaraderie.
This All-America City is situated along the New River and the Atlantic Ocean and is the county seat of Broward County. Fort Lauderdale has grown into a hub for tourism, culture, entertainment, recreation, and commerce. A short drive from the city center, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) offers direct flights to nearly 140 cities in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The city is also home to Port Everglades, the third busiest cruise port in the country. The city has 63 recognized neighborhood associations, and residents enjoy access to beaches, parks, nationally recognized libraries, museums and theaters, year-round festivals and cultural events celebrating the diverse populace.
- Fort Lauderdale has a proposed FY2025 total budget of $1.2 billion and 2,860 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions across all funds. This represents an 11.3% increase over the FY2024 budget and maintains a stable millage. Because the millage has not been increased in 18 years, the budget is driven by the city’s steady growth, which averages 0.8% per year.
- The incoming City Manager should be prepared to address a number of ongoing and imminent priorities, projects, and challenges: 1) Several capital projects, including the completion of a new police headquarters, water treatment plant, and city hall building, and implementation of the 2019 Parks bond; 2) Addressing a range of infrastructure needs, including implementation of the “FORTify Lauderdale” flood prevention initiative and management of two current and two pending consent orders; and 3) Implementation of HB 1365 and establishing a longer-term strategy to mitigate homelessness.
- Because the City Manager is a highly visible role, the incumbent must be poised, professionally mature, and able to earn credibility with elected officials, employees, and the public. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to navigate conflict with confidence and tact and build consensus around shared priorities. They will be an engaged, active leader who empowers their managers to make decisions while maintaining accountability for results. They will demonstrate a strategic, data-informed management approach and the ability to cultivate a productive team with positive morale.
- Given the makeup of the community and workforce, the incumbent must demonstrate a track record of valuing individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities. There is a high level of engagement from the public and business community, and the City Manager must therefore be adept at understanding and balancing the interests of various stakeholders.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Experience in a full-service municipality of comparable size, complexity, and diversity
- Experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and leading in a unionized environment
- Experience managing complex emergency response events
- Broad grasp of the functions and dynamics associated with a growing city
- Strong grasp of municipal budgeting and finance
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, finance, or other related area. Fifteen years of progressively responsible experience, of which five years must include senior management/senior administrative local government experience. Master’s degree preferred. Salary negotiations for highly qualified candidates are expected to start in the $300,000 range. Residency within the city of Fort Lauderdale is required.
Apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with a cover letter, resume, and contact information for five professional references by November 15, 2024. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Dele Lowman, MGT Senior Consultant, at (847) 380-3240 x141.
The State of Florida has strong public record laws. Candidates are advised to be aware that all aspects of this recruitment are open to public records requests throughout the process.
