County Manager

Nestled in North Carolina’s Western Piedmont Region, with views of the Appalachian Mountains and access to the banks of the Catawba River, Alexander County was established in 1847, the year of the first sale of land in the county seat (Taylorsville). The county has 36,444 residents, a significant manufacturing base, and beautiful outdoor opportunities that include the Brushy Mountains, Rocky Face Park, Lake Hickory, and Lake Lookout. The county manager reports to the five-member Board of Commissioners and is responsible for day-to-day operations of the county, which includes 24 departments with 342 full-time, 114 part-time, and 262 seasonal employees while developing and administering a budget of $70 million. The successful candidate must be a leader with strong interpersonal skills and a proven record of successful communication with elected officials, staff, and citizens. We look forward to your application!

Desired Attributes and Characteristics:

• Public administration background with the ability to develop and manage a budget with multiple capital projects and collaborate with strategic partners.
• Honest and empathetic communicator who is able to effectively interact and work with the Board of Commissioners, county staff, and citizens with varying needs and expectations.
• The ability and inclination to get out of the office and connect with the public, employees, businesses, and community organizations.
• A truly modern “leader-as-a-coach” who is able to mentor and manage staff while cultivating a professional and positive work environment for the highest level of employee morale.
• Innovative and critical thinker with the foresight to adapt to growth and changing environments while displaying creativity.
• Ability to develop strategic goals and projects with the Board of Commissioners, county departments,
  county partners, and stakeholders.
• The ability to promote and market Alexander County by maximizing resources towards positive growth and revitalization.

Hiring Range: $176,000 - $201,250

Education & Experience

• Combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s or master’s degree (preferred) in public administration or a related field.
• Experience of 5-8 years as a local government manager or department head.
• Experience with the principles and practices of local government management including economic development, planning, human resource management, grant administration, emergency services, preparation of budgets, and financial management.

Note: The selected candidate will be expected to reside within the county limits or within a reasonable commuting distance of 45 minutes.

How To Apply
Submit a letter of interest, resume, and WPCOG application to the following:
Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Attn: Anthony Starr, Executive Director
PO Box 9026
Hickory, NC 28603
Electronic submission of applications via email at [email protected] is encouraged. Please submit application materials no later than Thursday, May 9th. Candidates will be subject to an interview and assessment process. The first round of interviews are expected to take place in early June 2024.

Alexander County is an equal opportunity employer.

For the full job advertisement and the application please visit our website!