Deputy City Manager - Hutchinson KS

The City of Hutchinson is seeking a highly motivated, solutions-oriented Deputy City Manager to help lead municipal operations, support strategic initiatives, and serve as a key member of the City's executive leadership team.

This is a senior-level leadership role for a confident public-sector professional who is not afraid to tackle complex issues, conduct thorough research, analyze competing interests, and support the City's position through fair, consistent, well-reasoned, and transparent decision-making. The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem-solver, strong communicator, and steady leader who can navigate policy, operations, employee relations, public concerns, and intergovernmental relationships in a fast-paced municipal environment.

The Deputy City Manager assists the City Manager in the overall administration, coordination, and management of City operations. This position provides executive-level support to the City Manager, City Council, departments, employees, residents, community partners, and external agencies. The position may be assigned direct oversight of specific departments, major initiatives, policy analysis, organizational improvement efforts, and high-level projects.

Key Responsibilities

The Deputy City Manager will:

• Assist the City Manager with all facets of City management and administration.
• Provide direct oversight of assigned City departments, divisions, programs, or strategic priorities.
• Serve as a member of the City's senior executive management team.
• Provide professional staff support to the City Manager, City Council, and City departments.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate complex organizational, operational, fiscal, legal, policy, and service-delivery issues.
• Prepare clear, well-supported reports, recommendations, agenda items, policy documents, contracts, resolutions, and ordinances.
• Participate in the development and implementation of internal operating policies, financial direction, and organizational priorities.
• Represent the City Manager at meetings, community events, and with external organizations.
• Respond to complex or sensitive citizen complaints, service concerns, and organizational issues.
• Review administrative processes, programs, services, and procedures and recommend improvements.
• Support intergovernmental relations and coordinate with regional, state, and professional organizations.
• Assist with employee relations, grievance review, post-termination hearings, and organizational policy matters as assigned.
• Serve as Acting City Manager in the City Manager's absence.
• Assist with emergency operations, incident management, continuity of operations, and disaster response coordination as assigned.
• Perform supervisory duties over assigned departments.
• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and tasks as assigned by the City Manager.

What We're Looking For

The City is looking for a proactive, results-oriented leader - someone who brings initiative, curiosity, preparation, and professional courage to the work. The successful candidate will be comfortable stepping into challenging issues, asking thoughtful questions, conducting the necessary research, and providing well-reasoned recommendations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong understanding of municipal government and council-manager administration.
• Confidence working with elected officials, executive leadership, department directors, employees, residents, businesses, and partner agencies.
• Ability to analyze complex policy, financial, legal, organizational, and operational issues.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make recommendations based on facts, research, policy, and the City's strategic interests.
• Professional courage to address difficult issues directly and respectfully.
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in writing, meetings, public settings, and presentations.
• Diplomacy, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate cross-departmental initiatives.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to ethical public service and continuous organizational improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• This position requires the employee to reside within the limits of Hutchinson Ks.
• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Urban Planning, Finance, or a closely related field.
• Progressively responsible experience in municipal government, public administration, or comparable executive-level organizational management.
• Minimum of ten years of local government experience At least seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in local government, public administration, or comparable executive-level organizational management.
• Broad knowledge of municipal operations.
• Experience working with elected officials, executive leadership, department directors, employees, and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Juris Doctor, or a related field.
• Senior management experience in a city, county, or comparable local government organization.
• Experience as a Deputy City Manager, Assistant City Manager, department director, or equivalent executive-level role.
• Professional involvement with ICMA, the League of Kansas Municipalities, Kansas Association of City/County Management, or similar organizations.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office environment. The position requires attendance at evening meetings, including City Council meetings, board and commission meetings, and community events. Occasional travel to City facilities, project sites, regional meetings, conferences, and professional events is required. The position must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication.

Why Hutchinson?

Hutchinson is a full-service city with a strong tradition of public service, regional leadership, and community pride. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with the City Manager, City Council, department directors, employees, residents, and community partners to help shape organizational priorities and deliver responsive, effective municipal services.

The Deputy City Manager will play a meaningful role in advancing City operations, improving internal systems, supporting departments, and helping address complex public-sector challenges with professionalism and purpose.

BENEFITS:

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Medical & Dependent Care
• Retirement: KPERS & 457 Retirement Savings Plan
• Life Insurance & Optional Voluntary Life Insurance
• Insured Disability
• Death Benefit
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Floating Holidays & City Designated Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program

The City of Hutchinson employs over 400 employees that serve our community every day. City employees make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and play. We take pride in our work and it shows. Come be a part of a workforce that makes a difference! We're always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team.

The City of Hutchinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

All employees will be asked to consent to background and drug screening prior to starting employment.