Nestled in the valley of the western NC Mountains, the Town of Mills River, NC seeks an experienced municipal professional to serve as its next Town Manager. This leader will join a close-knit community united around the values of responsible growth, community preservation, land stewardship, connectivity and access, inclusive decision-making, and health & wellness partnerships.
The next Mills River Town Manager appreciates the rural farming culture of the community and will uphold the Town’s mission to offer exceptional quality of life and opportunities for prosperity to its residents, property owners, and businesses. Mills River desires a personable leader to lead its community – someone who:
- Values time with people, is compassionate about the needs of others, and exhibits empathy and patience in interactions with others;
- Believes in and supports open, transparent communication between a Manager and staff;
- Has impeccable time management skills, the ability to wear many hats and navigate many moving pieces while meeting various deadlines and managing daily municipal operations;
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of municipal HR practices, policies and procedures;
- Has a high standard of integrity and holds self and staff accountable to a high standard of excellence; and,
- Exhibits active listening skills and is articulate in communicating to various stakeholders, including Councilmembers—someone who quickly builds others' confidence in their knowledge of municipal leadership and governance.
The next Town Manager will preserve the rural culture of the community while uniting residents and leaders to embrace and manage growth while strategically critical needs such as farmland preservation. Experience strategically balancing budgets and navigating various opinions and perspectives is essential for this position.
About the Organization and Position:
The Town of Mills River operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The Council consists of a Mayor, a Mayor Pro-Term, and three council members. The Town’s services are broadly categorized into three service areas: General Government and Administration, Public Safety, and Parks and Recreation.
Mills River provides law enforcement, fire protection, and building code enforcement through contracts with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, Mills River Fire & Rescue, and Henderson County Building Inspections. The Town’s Parks and Recreation department, its largest department, provides quality recreational facilities, parks, and programs that are safe, diverse, and enriching to the Mills River community. Town leaders envision a community with choices for housing, jobs, and recreation while being open to new ideas, supportive of community-building efforts, and focused on common goals. Learn more about the organization by viewing the full job posting via the link below.
The Mills River Town Manager manages a staff team of 11 full-time and four part-time employees with five direct reports: Finance Director, Planning Director, Deputy Clerk, Deputy Tax Collector/Administrative Assistant, and Parks Director. The Town Manager will oversee Mills River’s FY 2023 – 2024 budget of $9.1M ($6M Operating, $3.1M Capital Projects), supported by a tax rate of $.17 per $100 of assessed tax value.
Upon their appointment, the Town Manager will dive into projects or processes already in motion, such as updating the Town's codes. The Town Manager will work cohesively with the contracted consultant and necessary stakeholders to facilitate a smooth process of updating the Town’s codes. As a small municipal organization, the Town Manager has historically performed all HR functions and duties. In evaluating growth and expansion, the next Town Manager will strategically assess the structure and function of the organization and advocate for changes to best position the organization for growth and sustainability.
About the Community:
The Town of Mills River is in Henderson County, North Carolina, near the convergence of the Mills and French Broad Rivers, about 20 miles south of Asheville and 50 miles north of Greenville, South Carolina. The Town covers 22 square miles of mountains, valleys, floodplains, and various land uses, from traditional row crops to greenhouses, single-family homes, and industrial users.
Established in 2003, Mills River is home to 7,400 people. This family-centric community has gradually attracted entrepreneurs and major employers seeking an ideal location for their businesses. Tucked in a valley, Mills River provides a retreat from the busy city life yet is just 10 minutes from the Asheville Regional Airport and major interstates. Camping, fishing, tubing, and horseback riding are just a few activities that make life in Mills River unique.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and five years of progressively responsible management experience. Preferred qualifications include familiarity with NC municipal management, a master's degree, ICMA credentialing, and progressively responsible experience as a department head, Assistant City Manager, or City Manager within small to midsized municipal government organizations. Experience with finance, budgeting and planning are important.
Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for this position is $105,000 —$125,000. The starting salary is based on experience and qualifications. Mills River provides comprehensive benefits comparable to towns of similar size. Residency is desirable and will be negotiated with the final candidate.
To apply, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates/jobs/4455137/town-manager-town-of-mills-river-nc?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
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 May 1,
- The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on May 30 - 31, 2024. 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 Mills River, 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.”
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