Deputy City Manager (Alexandria)

The City is racially and ethnically diverse, with approximately one-quarter of the City's residents foreign-born, primarily from Latin America, Africa (notably Ethiopia), and Asia. One-third of residents speak a language other than English at home, including Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic. Alexandria Public Schools serve students from 118 countries, speaking 127 languages. This dynamic environment offers a unique and enriching opportunity for anyone seeking to make a difference in the community.

In 2020 City Council unanimously passed the All Alexandria referendum with the goal of reducing and eliminating disparities and inequities experienced by City residents. The City's Old and Historic District is the third oldest historic preservation district in the U.S. Historic landmarks include the recently opened Freedom House, which honors the lives and experiences of the enslaved and free Black people, Christ Church, where famous Virginians worshiped; and Gadsby's Tavern, a meeting place visited by Lafayette and George Washington. In addition to its historic sites, Alexandria includes a variety of attractions. One of the metropolitan area's largest concentrations of international restaurants can be found in Old Town. The Torpedo Factory Art Center, located on the City's waterfront, provides an opportunity for the public to meet more than 200 professional artists. The City's Farmers Market, at 261 years old, is the nation's oldest farmers market that has been meeting continuously at the same site, Market Square. The City's Del Ray / Rosemont areas offer beautiful tree-lined streets, eclectic shops, and various annual community events. The City's West End is filled with vibrant neighborhoods and will be the site of a new Landmark Center, which will serve as a major residential, shopping, and dining attraction.

Alexandria is home to over 12,000 thriving businesses and organizations, which includes a significant representation of technology companies, the fourth-largest concentration of professional and trade associations in the country, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and a tourism industry that hosts nearly 3.3 million visitors and brings in over $700 million in visitor spending each year. A new headquarters for the National Science Foundation and its 2,100 employees opened in 2017, and Virginia Tech opened its innovation campus in Alexandria in 2024 near National Landing, the site of Amazon's second headquarters.

The Organization

Although the City is part of a larger metropolitan area that includes the Nation's Capital, it has retained its historic character. About one-quarter of the City's 15 square miles has been designated a national or local historic district. Thousands of buildings in these districts are monuments to the past while being actively used by citizens for homes, businesses, and museums.

Alexandria has had a strong tradition of self-government since its founding in 1749. It is an independent city (Virginia cities have no county affiliation) and derives its governing authority from a Charter granted by the Virginia General Assembly. The City adopted the Council-Manager form of government in 1922.

The City's governing body is comprised of a Mayor and six Council Members who formulate policies for the administration of the City. The City Council appoints the City Manager, who serves as the City's CEO. The City Manager has appointment and removal authority over most City personnel and is responsible for implementing the policies established by the City Council. The current City Manager, James F. Parajon, was appointed on December 1, 2021.

The City provides a comprehensive range of municipal services, including land use planning, education, health, welfare, housing, and human services programs; public safety and administration of justice; community development, recreation, library, consumer assistance, cultural and historic activities; and transportation and environmental services.

The Opportunity

• Plan, direct, coordinate, and facilitate the success of major areas of service to include assistance in prioritizing and assigning work, performance development, and talent management of direct reports and various teams;
• Provide oversight of complex programs, initiatives, and high-level special projects that are large-scale, multi-year and have a significant impact on the community; Maintain positive relationships and effectively communicate with elected officials, City Manager, other Deputy City Managers, and the Executive Team to keep them up to date on complex municipal and community issues under their span of control. Confer with the Executive Team and staff to review, plan, and discuss policies, programs, and strategies;
• Meet and correspond with various citizens, professional, business, and other groups and answer questions and secure their support in carrying out various programs;
• Research, analyze, and develop recommendations on City-wide issues, public policy issues, pending legislation, and other administrative issues. Review results of major studies and coordinate the preparation of reports and recommendations; Maintain close contact with residents and community leaders, as well as other regional stakeholders;
• Serve as Acting City Manager in the City Manager's absence–must be capable of executing the City Manager's duties;
• Serve as Deputy Chief Executive for the City government, supplementing and acting for the City Manager as required, and directly supervises a grouping of departments and offices designated by the City Manager;
• Assist the City Manager in directing the day-to-day operation of the City government;
• Participate in long-range operational plans;
• Exercise general supervision over all functions and activities of the City government when acting for the City Manager.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced leader and teambuilder capable of innovation, problem-solving, and directing the services of this organization. The ideal candidate has the ability to build relationships, be flexible, and work in a team-oriented matrix organization. Exceptional public speaking and written communication skills are needed as the DCM will be called upon to make presentations clearly and credibly before employee groups, citizen groups, committees, councils, media, and management staff at all levels. In addition, the successful DCM recognizes and adapts to the audience to ensure that concepts are easily understood and visualized. An individual who knows when to take an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving is preferred. A hands-on approach and willingness to lead by example are required.

The ideal candidate will be of the highest integrity and genuinely committed to respecting employees, responsive to organizational needs, and open and honest in all internal and external relationships. The desired candidate will have a well-established track record for using proactive, forward-thinking, and creative methods in local government leadership.

The selected candidate must be capable of managing a team responsible for highly complex issues and be curious and action-oriented. The successful candidate will ensure inclusiveness and tactfulness when presenting their opinions. This position requires a person with curiosity and enthusiasm, capable of operating with independence and initiative while remaining aligned with the policy direction of the City Manager. The ideal candidate must exhibit a great deal of political savvy and sensitivity.

Review and Evaluation of Qualifications

The City of Alexandria will give serious consideration to all qualified candidates that apply who have considerable supervisory experience, a solid understanding of technology, and a proven track record of success. The review and evaluation of qualifications will be at the discretion of the City, based on the most appropriate combination of experience, curiosity, and education that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by the position and that fits the needs of the City of Alexandria.

Compensation and Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a highly competitive salary with an excellent executive benefit package. The anticipated hiring range is up to $240,000 annually, dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided, which include : annual leave, holidays, and sick leave; a retirement plan; health insurance, dental plan, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance; optional deferred compensation; credit union membership; sick leave bank; and an employee assistance program.

Minimum & Additional Requirements :

Minimum : Four Year College Degree; five years experience at a Department Head or Office Director level in a local or state government; substantial knowledge of multiple areas of local governmental programs, policies and procedures and experience in engaging multiple stakeholders in problem solving and negotiating solutions to issues.

Preferred Qualifications :

Preferred : Master's Degree; seven years of experience at a Deputy City or Deputy County Manager level, or in a similar local government position that required a high level of knowledge and management of various local government programs; substantial experience in project management or in leading policy or program development; extensive experience in engaging multiple stakeholders including the general public in problem-solving and negotiating solutions to issues; substantial knowledge of the theories and practices of local government management, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

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