DEPUTY CITY MANAGER RECRUITMENT

At the City of Champaign, we take our mission to provide responsive, caring service very seriously. We seek leaders for our organization who are not only highly accomplished in their fields, but also are deeply passionate about serving and being engaged with their community. We strive to have a leadership team and workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our city. Our executive hiring processes are designed to gather as much relevant information as possible to find the most highly qualified candidate that meets the needs, expectations, and values of our community.

The City of Champaign has launched a national search for the position of Deputy City Manager. The recruitment profile below is provided as the City’s advertisement for the job opportunity. It serves as a “roadmap” that guides the rest of the process as we seek candidates whose experience and qualifications best align with the needs of our City. Thank you for considering a rewarding career opportunity with the City of Champaign.

— Dorothy Ann David, City Manager

The Deputy City Manager is a key leadership role within the City, assisting the City Manager in the day-to-day administration of municipal government and in the planning and implementation of City goals, projects, and policies. Employees in this classification are integral members of the executive leadership team, ensuring that City services and strategic initiatives are aligned across the City organization in support of the City Council’s vision and direction for the City. Deputy City Managers serve as the City Manager’s representative within the City organization and the community, providing guidance and general direction to department directors, managing interdepartmental activities and community problem-solving efforts, overseeing community relations, and serving as the City’s representative to intergovernmental, civic and community groups. Employees in this position also manage and direct all activities and personnel in the City Manager’s Office, including supervision of administrative staff who support the Mayor and City Council. Deputy City Managers may act as City Manager during the absence or incapacity of the City Manager and are empowered to perform any and all duties of the City Manager as established by the City Code.

Employees in this classification report directly to the City Manager and work with the City Manager to execute City services, programs and ordinances at the policy direction of the City Council. The range of the Deputy City Manager’s duties covers all aspects of City operations. The work requires considerable discretion within the framework of established Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, and policies. This position has wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, limited only by the direction set by the City Council and City Manager. Deputy City Managers consult with the City Manager with respect to general policies, programs, plans and objectives. Employees in this classification are expected to demonstrate initiative and good judgment, generally functioning independent of direct supervision with respect to operational procedures and management practices. This position also includes direct supervision of administrative, technical, and professional staff, including oversight of hiring, training, work assignments, performance appraisals and employee discipline. Deputy City Managers also serve as liaisons to department directors and provide general oversight, supervision and direction to them at the City Manager’s direction. Employees in this classification are expected to be highly visible leaders and actively engaged in the community. This position requires frequent work outside of regular business hours.

• Collaborates with the City Manager to develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives to advance the City Council’s strategic vision for the City
• Participates in the development of City Council vision and goals, coordinates the community input process, and works closely with department directors to implement City Council key projects and policy directives
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the City Manager’s Office, including staff hiring, supervision, training and performance evaluation
• Assists the City Manager in leading the recruitment and hiring of executive staff and department heads; takes proactive measures to recruit, hire and retain a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of the community
• Provides oversight and guidance to department heads in the execution of their duties, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and compliance with performance standards
• Serves as a coach, mentor and role model for City employees; acts to promote a positive work environment characterized by open communication, transparency, and cooperative labor-management relations
• Establishes performance metrics and benchmarks to evaluate service delivery, departmental performance and progress toward organizational goals
• Supports the City Manager in the development and administration of the City budget, reviews budget proposals and department service plans; prepares and monitors the department budget for the City Manager’s Office
• Coordinates special programs or projects which involve interdepartmental or interagency coordination; fosters collaboration and communication among City departments to enhance efficiency, promote best practices, and address cross-functional challenges
• Assists the City Manager in coordinating and/or negotiating cooperative agreements among governments, community agencies, and private businesses
• Engages with residents, businesses and community organizations to understand their needs, gather feedback and promote civic participation in local governance
• Performs a variety of public relations duties; oversees the public information efforts of the City; serves as spokesperson and City representative in contacts with the media
• Attends and makes presentations at City Council and other public meetings; participates in a variety of boards, commissions and committees as assigned
• May be appointed to serve as Deputy Liquor Commissioner on behalf of the Mayor, coordinating the team of staff responsible for liquor licensing, code compliance, and support for businesses with liquor licenses in the City.
• Investigates employee grievances and alleged violations of City policies as assigned by the City Manager; may serve as hearing officer for grievances, complaint appeals and dispute resolution
• Meets and corresponds with various governmental officials, professional and business organizations, and members of the community to answer questions, resolve problems, and establish partnerships to advance City goals
• Receives requests and complaints from the public concerning City business and actions of City staff, directs requests to appropriate departments and follows up to see that corrective action is taken
• Briefs the City Manager on issues of concern in the community and City organization to assure a timely and appropriate response; conducts research and analysis, and prepares reports with recommendations to address emerging issues and improve City service delivery for consideration by the City Manager and City Council
• Serves as a sounding board for the City Manager; provides candid feedback to the City Manager on matters related to City operations, organizational culture, and service delivery
• Communicates clearly, professionally, and effectively with elected officials, employees, external agencies and members of the public verbally and in writing; prepares and reviews reports, correspondence and other documents for accuracy, clarity and tone
• Participates in professional associations and groups; stays abreast of trends, technologies and innovations in the field of municipal government.

• Ability to act and lead in accordance with the City’s Organizational Mission and Values
• Comprehensive knowledge of municipal service delivery, administrative processes and policies, best practices, and current trends in local government and public administration
• Working knowledge of laws, regulations and policies related to public employment and labor relations; proficiency in supervising, training, and evaluating employees; ability to foster a high performing and positive work environment with a diverse staff
• Ability to influence others using a compelling interpersonal style; proven success in establishing a rapport with others to encourage collaboration, persuade others to agree on common goals, and provide the vision, methods, and resources to get the job done
• Ability to correctly interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Ability to plan, coordinate and execute the work program of a large organization and provide high-level oversight to multiple work activities and projects simultaneously, consistent with the City’s mission in a responsive, timely and cost-effective manner
• Expertise in strategic thinking and discernment; ability to view the big picture and synthesize information from a variety of sources into a vision for advancing organizational goals
• Ability to successfully navigate highly sensitive or contentious political, public policy, community, and employee issues and concerns with tact, diplomacy and fairness; demonstrates good knowledge of the political environment while remaining politically neutral and unbiased
• Skill in exercising good judgment and making clear, timely decisions in accordance with City Council direction and applicable laws and policies; ability to evaluate alternatives and develop sound conclusions and recommendations
• Competency in managing complex budgets and procurement, including State and Federal grants and contract administration; ability to review grant reports and assure City compliance with funding regulations and requirements
• Working knowledge of data analysis techniques and experience in applying metrics measures and data-driven performance evaluation to public services
• Experience leading engagement with a diverse community and being responsive to the needs of a diverse customer clientele.
• Proficiency in public speaking, presentations, and written and verbal communications for a variety of audiences including elected officials, employees, the media and members of the public
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills

These physical and cognitive requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related requirements may be added on an as needed basis.  Corrective devices, adaptive technologies or other accommodations may be used to meet these requirements.

• Cognitive abilities to successfully accomplish illustrative examples of work.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and other office equipment, hand strength to grasp files and other objects, and to perceive the attributes of objects by touch.
• Vision: Ability to see in the normal vision range, with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; ability to visually inspect work in progress.
• Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening; ability to hear in the normal audio range, with or without correction.
• Environmental Factors: Standard office stetting.
• Working hours: Flexible 40-hour work week. This position requires frequent work outside of regular business hours.  Emergency response may require 24-hour call out.  Outside exposure in various weather conditions.
• Extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation.
• Regular attendance required.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, public policy, or closely related field.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a comparably sized municipal, State, or Federal organization, at least five of which must be in a managerial or supervisory capacity.
• Experience working in multi-racial, multi-cultural urban communities with demonstrated success in serving a diverse population.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job.

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, public policy, or closely related field or a combination of equivalent education, training, and experience.
• Completion of local government leadership training, including programs offered through the International City/County Management Association or similar programs offered by State or nonprofit organizations.
• Certification or certificate of completed training or professional development in racial or multicultural studies; diversity, equity, and inclusion; or similar area of study.
• Two or more years of leading municipal functions in a comparably sized organization at the level of department head, assistant/deputy manager or administrator, or chief operating officer.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the preferred knowledge, skills and abilities for the position will be considered.

• Possession of a valid state-issued driver’s license and a safe driving record as determined by the City’s Risk Manager.
• Must be bondable.
• Residency within the City of Champaign’s corporate limits is required within six (6) months of appointment.
• Ability to pass a post-offer criminal history record check and drug screening.