City Manager
Location: City of Savannah, GA Download: City of Savannah, GA - City Manager Brochure
The Community:
With a population just over 130,000, Savannah is a vibrant, diverse and historic city which is widely regarded as one of the most welcoming cities and tourism destinations in the nation. Locals affectionately refer to Savannah as "The Hostess City," with over 7 million annual visitors.
As America's first planned city, Savannah boasts historic architecture, luxurious parks and a government culture that aims to build upon its early success in providing superior planning, infrastructure and services for its citizens. In addition to its assets as a city, Savannah offers great weather, nearby beaches, a tradition of hospitality and cultural offerings that include a variety of music and film festivals throughout the year.
Savannah is home to a vibrant arts and cultural scene that plays host to over 200 festivals each year. A growing Savannah Music Festival has garnered international acclaim as performers from Savannah and all over the world showcase talent in a variety of musical genres.
Savannah has a diverse economy consisting of manufacturing, one of the fastest growing seaport's in the nation, tourism, the military and regional medical services. Retail and service businesses are also important factors.
Educational opportunities abound in Savannah, site of a public school system that's pursued an aggressive building-improvements program, of a multitude of private schools and of four diverse colleges.
There are more than 20 private schools serving the area with programs that offer a variety of learning environments. In the field of higher education, Savannah gets superior marks as the location of two institutions that are part of the University System of Georgia and of two private colleges - one an innovative art school and the other specializing in business and the health professions.
Savannah's warm weather allows participation in outdoor activities year round. Savannah offers excellent facilities for jogging, tennis, golf, swimming, boating, and other water sports. The city has more than 100 public recreational neighborhood parks, 13 swimming pools, more than 70 athletic fields (including 4 fully equipped complexes,) more than 75 basketball courts, 50 tennis courts, and 2 public golf courses.
For boating, fishing and swimming enthusiasts, Savannah offers marinas throughout the 420 miles of navigable waters and 87,000 acres of tidal marshland, as well as the intercoastal waterway. Tybee Island is Savannah's public beach and is located approximately 20 minutes east of the downtown area.
With its well-preserved history, fascinating architecture, natural beauty, unique squares and mild climate, Savannah is a splendid spot for sightseeing. It's a great place for strolling - one of the top 10 cities for doing so, according to Walking Magazine - and the intimate nature of the Historic District facilitates visiting the attractions on foot.
Government:
Savannah's City government adopted a council/manager form of government in 1954. This organizational plan places legislative responsibility for municipal government in a City Council and gives administrative or executive authority to the City Manager. The Council, which consists of the Mayor and eight Aldermen, levies taxes, enacts ordinances, and adopts the annual budget as well as performing other legislative functions. Six Aldermen are elected by district and two are elected Citywide for four-year terms, as is the Mayor.
Organizational Chart:
The city administration is comprised of eight bureaus, each under the direction of an Assistant City Manager or Bureau Chief. All eight bureaus report directly to the City Manager. The City of Savannah Municipal government employs approximately 2,400 individuals in over 350 different positions.
The Position:
The City Manager is responsible for carrying out the policies and programs established by Council, recommending the annual budget and work programs, appointing bureau and department heads, and exercising general supervision and control over all employees of the City.
The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate should possess at least 8 years of experience within a government agency, preferably a municipal environment including at least 5 years of progressive supervisory and administrative experience. The ideal candidate will be fiscally conservative and have a strong background in finance. The candidate should demonstrate knowledge of and familiarity with innovative funding and financial sources in order to assist the city with current and future economic development projects.
The successful candidate must be a dynamic, visionary leader who can bring together the various elements of the community and the leadership of the city in order to meet a broad spectrum of community needs.
The ideal candidate will be innovative and creative and be a champion of new initiatives while serving the City of Savannah. The City Council will rely heavily on the expertise, judgment and recommendations of the City Manager so this individual should have the ability to effectively delegate authority and responsibility while maintaining appropriate levels of operational control. He/she will have political acumen and the ability to make firm recommendations and decisions based on professional judgment, employee input and experience.
He/she should possess a record of accomplishment and success in community development projects, urban development, economic development and land use planning. This individual will have a desire to help alleviate poverty in the community and have experience with poverty reduction efforts.
The ideal candidate will have experience serving a racially diverse population and have a genuine interest in becoming a part of the community. He/she will need to maintain a high degree of visibility in the community, both on and off the job.
This individual must be able to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards and be able to display transparency.
Education and Experience:
Interested candidates should possess a Master's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Government, Public Administration, Business, or a related field. A combination of education and experience will be taken into consideration when reviewing applicants.
Salary:
The City of Savannah is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation assistance will be available for the successful out of area candidate.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:
resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: SAVCM
Affion Public
20 North 2nd Street, Suite 200
Harrisburg, PA 17101
888.321.4922
Fax: 717-214-2205
www.affionpublic.com
Deadline for resumes: November 15, 2010
Posted: 03/22/2022