Town Manager

The Town of Magnolia, NC (population of 980), is seeking a Town Manager with superior communication, fiscal management, and leadership skills.

The Town of Magnolia is in western Duplin County, approximately 55 miles from Wilmington and 75 miles from Raleigh. It is two (2) miles from I-40. The Town has a dedicated staff of eight (8) FTE employees and a FY 2025 Budget of approximately $2.4 million (including grants). Departments include Police, Public Works, and Administration. The town has two (2) wells and a 0.25 MGD WWTP. Magnolia governs under the Council – Manager form of government and is overseen by a Mayor and five (5) Town Commissioners.

The next Town Manager should be a seasoned, assertive, and principled leader who is forthright and skilled at facilitating consensus. The successful candidate should be committed to citizen engagement and transparency with the Board and public. Experience with local government finance / budgeting and public utilities is strongly preferred. The Town Manager serves as the Zoning Administrator, so knowledge of zoning principles is a plus. Magnolia has been successful in the pursuit of grants and would like to continue that success, so experience with grant writing / administration is also preferred.

Salary DOQ and experience. The anticipated hiring range for the position is $75,000 - $82,000. Magnolia is an EOE. The successful candidate will be required to establish residency within a 60-minute commute of town limits within six (6) months of initial employment.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, or related field with at least three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional experience that includes significant management and supervisory experience at the department director or equivalent level, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have a valid driver’s license.

The Eastern Carolina Council of Governments is assisting the Town of Magnolia with its Town Manager search. Interested applicants should email a cover letter, at least three references, and résumé addressed to Town of Magnolia Manager Position, c/o ECC Executive Director David Bone at [email protected].  Candidates are responsible for assuring delivery. The position is open until filled. The first review of résumés will begin on October 16, 2024.