Town Manager

Job Description:

Town Manager

Description

Waxhaw’s Town Manager astutely oversees the town’s full-service operations of more than forty municipal services, genuinely empowers and motivates its team of 100+ staff members to excel, and humbly engages with our beloved community members and other stakeholders.

This position is for the leader with experience working in Council/Manager forms of government and the ability to skillfully facilitate resolution of different perspectives into strategic direction with the Board of Commissioners. Maintaining the town’s family-friendly reputation is paramount. Over the last decade, Waxhaw has experienced significant residential growth. The town's downtown center is currently its largest employment hub. Waxhaw's solid entrepreneurial base of small business owners, particularly in its downtown core, take great pride in calling the charming town of Waxhaw home. Waxhaw’s Town Manager will work collaboratively to maintain and enhance the vibrancy of downtown, which is a NC Main Street accredited program.

About the Community:

Conveniently located just 20 minutes from the bustling City of Charlotte and adjacent to the South Carolina state line, the Town of Waxhaw offers an excellent quality of life. Dating back to the 1800s, Waxhaw is one of the oldest towns in Union County. With a population of over 23,000 people – a 110% increase from 2010 - Waxhaw has managed to maintain its unique charm and continues to achieve quality growth. The Waxhaw Historic District, at the heart of town, is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts proud old buildings and unique attractions. Waxhaw is a North Carolina Main Street Program member and is committed to balancing downtown economic development with historic preservation.

Waxhaw’s thriving community has a variety of housing options, highly rated schools, excellent medical care facilities, and outdoor recreation, all within the town's geographic footprint of 12 square miles. Waxhaw's vibrant downtown is a regional attraction and has become a culinary destination. Downtown is also the primary community gathering spot for a multitude of seasonal events held throughout the year.  With parks, Carolina Thread Trail, year-round events and programs, the charm of Waxhaw will surely draw you in. Community members and visitors love Waxhaw's temperate climate and proximity to easily explore the states of NC and SC – from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean beaches.

About the Organization, Department, and Position:

The Town of Waxhaw operates under the Council-Manager form of government, with the Town Manager reporting to the Mayor and a five-person, non-partisan Board of Commissioners. The Town employs 112 full-time employees, including the Town Manager position, across ten departments. Waxhaw’s FY 24-25 general fund budget of $21.6M is supported by a tax rate of $.385 per $100 of assessed tax value. Waxhaw receives 89% of its property taxes from residential and 11% from commercial uses.

Waxhaw’s municipal services include police, parks and recreation, waste pickup, planning and zoning, and others. Union County provides water and sewer service, which significantly influences the growth patterns of the town and its surroundings. Growth in and around the town is inevitable. Town leaders are focused on identifying an ideal approach to commercial and employment-based business growth while maintaining the town's high-quality services and amenities, protecting low property taxes, and improving overall sustainability.

To preserve what makes Waxhaw unique, the town's 2040 comprehensive plan examines  emerging trends and needs and recommends strategies on a variety of issues, including transportation, housing, recreation and cultural activities, the environment, utilities, and land use zoning. The town’s long-term Capital Improvements Plan features a 5-year plan for capital improvement projects to further support the town's continued growth. The plan, evaluated and revised annually, ensures that the town's equipment and infrastructure support the ever-growing demand for increased services and operating expenses. Since 2021, the town has completed 29 capital projects including a new downtown park, Town Hall, and Public Services/Parks and Recreations Operation Center.

Waxhaw’s Administration team includes seven full-time and four part-time positions. Reporting to the Board of Commissioners, the Town Manager leads a team of nine direct reports: Assistant Town Manager, Town Clerk, Police Chief, Technology Director, Business Development Director, Communications Director, HR Director,  Finance Director, and Administrative Services Manager. The Town Manager also serves on the Downtown Waxhaw Association board, a non-profit board, supported by public and private investment, that is charged with preserving and promoting Downtown Waxhaw, historically and economically. The next Town Manager will value open communication and nurture a working environment of transparent communication across all departments.

Qualifications:

A minimum of a bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of progressively responsible management experience are required. Preferred qualifications include familiarity with NC municipal management, a master's degree, ICMA credentialing, and five years of progressively responsible experience as a department head, Assistant Town Manager, or Town Manager within small—to midsized municipal government organizations.

Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for the Town Manager is $160,000 - $180,000. The town offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 5% 401K or 457 contribution, NCLGERS enrollment, paid medical, dental, vision, long and short-term disability insurance, life Insurance, PTO, tuition assistance, a wellness program, and more. There is a residency requirement to live within 25 miles of the town limits of Waxhaw within 6 months of appointment to the position.

To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the title of Town Manager – Town of Waxhaw, NC. Please note the following:

• All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) – NOT the town’s employment application portal or any other external website.
• Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
• Applicants should apply by November 27, 2024.
• The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on January 9-10, 2025. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.
• Direct inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com. 

The Town of Waxhaw, NC, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/, select “Client Openings," and scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.”