Job description

Serving as key analyst and advisor to the City Manager, the City of Fairfax is seeking a Deputy City Manager to assist in the planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating of operations and programs pertaining to City government. The Deputy City Manager works with both department heads and other leaders within the organization in support of the City Manager to ensure that the Mayor and City Councils priorities are strategically managed, the results are measured, and all services meet the established goals and performance standards. This position reports directly to the City Manager and is set to act for the City Manager in his/her absence. This position will oversee one or more departments and the assignment of departments may change over time. The City is seeking a Deputy City Manager who will help the City Manager lead the organization as a partner. The City Manager expects to retire in the next 18 months.

The Deputy City Manager will be responsible for a variety of functions of the City Manager's office, including liaison with the Mayor, Council, residents, and City departments, capital budget preparation and monitoring, legislative liaison with the Commonwealth of Virginia, and coordination of special projects. Alternate duties may include oversight of specific departments as assigned by the City Manager, as well as assisting in the planning and administration of projects and programs. The Deputy City Manager directs, coordinates, and supervises the operational and administrative functions of assigned departments and divisions. All work is performed with considerable latitude and independent judgment under the general supervision of the City Manager, in accordance with policies and directives established by the City Manager. The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment.

The Deputy City Manager will attend City Council meetings, make presentations to the Mayor and Council, and answer questions during meetings. They will follow up on questions after meetings and provide additional information to the Mayor and Council. In collaboration with the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager will provide leadership and management direction to encourage and support team building, collaboration, and professional development of City staff. In collaboration with the City Manager and City leadership, the role is responsible for coordinating a variety of complex strategic initiatives and partnerships among City departments, operations, other local governments, non-profits, and community and university partners, including coordination with the Mayor, City Council, and boards and commissions as appropriate. The leader will be responsible for the timely completion of strategic initiatives and partnerships within scope and budget.

Within the role, the leader will be directly responsible for coordination among City departments of all Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), including coordination with City boards and commissions for all approvals required for CIP construction. Additionally, they will be responsible for the timely completion of CIP projects within scope and budget. The executive will respond to City Council and public inquiries regarding City policies, procedures, and programs. The Deputy City Manager attends public events and addresses civic, business, and other groups of community members, as well as conducts activities related to the City's legislative requests to the Virginia General Assembly, monitors bills and evaluates their impact on the City, prepares and delivers testimony to the General Assembly, and promotes the City's position on proposed legislation to state delegates. Crucially, the leader will actively participate in the annual budget preparation process as a member of the City's budget team, where they will review and discuss budget requests and assist in drafting and editing the budget message and narrative.

Inside the City of Fairfax

The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Manager, the City Clerk, and the City Attorney are appointed by the City Council. The Mayor and six Council members are elected to serve two-year terms on an at-large, non-partisan basis. There are two elected state constitutional officers, the Commissioner of the Revenue and the Treasurer, who work closely with the City Manager.

The Citys FY 24 budget is $228,432,057 with a total of 436.38 FTEs.

The Community

Fairfax is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, located 16 miles west of Washington, D.C., and is an oasis with a distinct identity in the metro area. Its historic downtown, tree-filled neighborhoods, and small-town feel are treasured by residents. The City was initially incorporated as a town in 1874, having been settled several years earlier by farmers from southeastern Virginia. In 1961, less than one hundred years later, it was incorporated as an independent city.

The City of Fairfax Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, with the most notable landmarks located in the downtown area. Dating back as far as 1799, the twenty-eight buildings within the Historic District include Old Town Hall (1900), Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House (1811), and Historic Fairfax County Courthouse (1800). The City owns and operates two other historic districts, including the Fairfax City Cemetery and the 12-acre Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim.

As a part of the Metropolitan D. C. area, many Fairfax residents travel by mass transit and other forms of public transportation. The Orange Line of Metro has a stop one mile northeast of city limits and the Burke Centre station of the Virginia Railway Express is only three miles southeast of the City. The City-operated CUE Bus, a partnership between the City and George Mason University, and WMATAs Metrobus serve the City.

Every year, a bevy of exciting events occur within city limits. During the first full weekend of every February, chocolate vendors and enthusiasts gather in Old Town Fairfax for two days of fun-filled festivities. The annual Chocolate Lovers Festival began in 1993 and continues to attract chocolate connoisseurs from around the country. Other annual community events include the Independence Day Celebration, Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts, Rock the Block, Fairfax History Day, Fido Fest, Labor Day Car Show, Fall Festival, and the Festival of Lights and Carols.

The City of Fairfax provides educational programs and services for K-12 for the approximately 3,500 students from the City of Fairfax through a contractual agreement with the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). This agreement is managed by the City of Fairfax School Board and its City school superintendent. While the City of Fairfax School Board owns the land and school facilities, the instructional program and all faculty and staff at the Citys schools are FCPS employees. In 2015, Fairfax High School was named the tenth-best public high school in the Commonwealth of Virginia by U.S. News and World Report. Located on the southern city limit is the main campus of the prestigious George Mason University, a public institution of higher learning that enrolls 36,000 students. With three campuses in Northern Virginia, George Mason is a tier-one research institution of national stature and global impact. Northern Virginia Community College, the largest educational institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia, has its main campus three miles east of the City. It enrolls 75,000 students at several campuses in the Northern Virginia region.

Quick Facts

• Population: 24,146
• Median Household Income: $118,492
• Median Home Value: $596,800

All demographic information was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Successful Candidate

The next Deputy City Manager is an approachable leader who is able to listen and engage with employees at all levels and help drive the organization to accomplish its goals. The successful candidate establishes strong relationships while leading with integrity and respect. This position requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials. With a thorough understanding of municipal government, the next Deputy City Manager is well-versed in municipal policies and procedures, municipal finance, and the state and federal legislative processes.

The next Deputy City Manager will be a clear communicator and be able to help staff across the organization see how their effort drives the performance of the City. The Deputy City Manager will be diplomatic and be able to bring groups together, building consensus around complex and sometimes controversial issues. The Deputy City Manager will be able to step in and lead alongside the City Manager and also help take workload off the City Managers plate. The position requires a strategic view, but, importantly, the ability to execute plans and goals.

The successful candidate will be able to analyze complex issues, create comprehensive recommendations for their resolution, and drive implementation across the organization. This position helps employees at all levels connect their work to the larger goals and projects to advance the work of the City of Fairfax.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in government, public administration, business administration, or related field and ten (10) years of progressively responsible work experience in a senior-level position in local government or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred qualifications include a masters degree, ICMA-CM, supervision over multiple functions, and significant project management experience.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range is $175,000 - $210,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits here.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning June 16, 2023.

Questions

Please direct questions to Catherine Tuck Parrish at ctuckparrish@raftelis.com and Robert Colichio at rcolichio@raftelis.com.

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