Town Manager at Town of Front Royal – Front Royal, Virginia

The Town Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Town, ensuring effective management of all departments and services. As the chief administrative officer of the Town, the position implements the policies set by the Town Council, manages Town resources, and works to maintain a high quality of life for all residents. This includes providing leadership, overseeing budgets, staffing, community relations, and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

The Town Council understands the need for a capable leader in order to respect both the history and future potential of the Town. Therefore, the starting salary for this position is variable dependent upon the successful candidate’s experience, skills, knowledge and abilities to those specified herein. The advertised salary of $140,000 annually is the minimum starting rate for the position.

The Town offers a competitive benefits program including participation in the Virginia Retirement System; 457 Deferred Compensation with pretax or Roth options; health, vision, dental, wellness, and employee assistance benefits; generous paid time off; 14 paid holidays; disability, life, and supplemental insurances; and tuition assistance. The Town is an equal opportunity employer.

The Manager need not be a resident when appointed but must become a resident of the Town during their term of office, the length of which shall be established by the direction of the Town Council. Relocation and other assistance are negotiable.

REQUIRED: A cover letter and resume must be attached to your application. For more information, please contact Laura McIntosh, Director of Human Resources, at (540)635-3929 or lmcintosh@frontroyalva.com.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management and Leadership:

• Oversee the daily operations of all town departments, ensuring services are provided efficiently and effectively.
• Supervise and evaluate department heads, employees, and contractors; foster a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
• Implement policies, programs, and directives as established by the Town Council.
• Act as a liaison between town residents, elected officials, and staff, fostering effective communication.

Financial Oversight:

• Prepare and manage the town’s annual budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term financial stability.
• Approve all expenditures and manage town finances, including revenue collection, payroll, and investments.
• Monitor financial reports and make recommendations to the Town Council for adjustments as necessary; keep the Council advised of Town’s financial condition and status of major projects and programs.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable financial regulations and auditing requirements.

Strategic Planning and Development:

• Develop long-term plans for community development, infrastructure improvements, and service enhancements.
• Work with town departments and external partners to implement plans for growth, sustainability, and quality of life for residents.
• Ensure that zoning, planning, and building regulations are implemented properly and efficiently.
• Plan for economic growth, future development growth, and expansion in public services.

Community Relations:

• Serve as the main point of contact for residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, responding to concerns and resolving issues promptly.
• Facilitate public hearings, community meetings, and workshops to gather input and inform residents about town activities.
• Represent the town in interactions with state and local government agencies, businesses, and civic organizations.

Human Resources Management:

• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, training, and development of town staff, ensuring that all departments are appropriately staffed.
• Administer employee benefits, compensation, and performance management programs.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, employment policies, and workplace safety regulations.

Policy Compliance and Legal Oversight:

• Ensure that town operations comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Collaborate with legal counsel to ensure that town contracts, policies, and actions are in accordance with the law.
• Administer the implementation of town ordinances and assist in policy development.

Emergency Management and Public Safety:

• Oversee the town’s emergency management plans, ensuring readiness for natural disasters, public health crises, and other emergencies.
• Ensure that the town’s police and emergency services are adequately staffed and resourced.

Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Political Science, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience planning and directing major programs of local public services or any equivalent combination of education and experience. The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies applicable to the structure, programs, and practices in conducting public services through Town government.

Competencies

• Integrity, trustworthiness, empathy, wisdom and good listening skills are all essential competencies for the position.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• In-depth knowledge of municipal government operations, budgeting, and fiscal management.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with community members, government officials and staff.
• Knowledge of relevant local, state, and federal regulations.
• Proven skill and knowledge of public finance, capital programs and enterprise operations.
• Delegates and holds staff accountable; ability to lead effectively without micromanaging; inspires personnel and leads by example.
• Growth-oriented while also fiscally conservative; comfortable with change and innovation.
• Exercises sound judgement; applies principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of problems.

Supplemental Information
The Town of Front Royal was first incorporated by the Virginia General Assembly in 1788; population est. 15,400. It is governed by an elected Mayor and a six-member Council. The positions of Town Manager, Town Attorney and Town Clerk are appointed by the Council and work at the pleasure of the Council. The Town charter is available online at https://law.lis.virginia.gov/charters/front-royal/.

Town Structure and Employees: The Town employs approximately 175 full-time staff and operates as a full-service municipal government with ten (10) departments, including Police, Energy Services (electric), Public Works (water and wastewater treatment, utilities, streets, refuse, horticulture, building/grounds), Fleet, Finance, Town Attorney, Tourism & Community Development, Human Resources & Risk Management, Information Technology, and Planning and Zoning.

Budget: The Town’s current 2024-2025 budget, as well as previous budgets, may be found at: https://www.frontroyalva.com/361/Budgets.

For more information about The Town of Front Royal, please visit: https://www.frontroyalva.com/