Interim City Manager
City of Saline, Michigan
The City of Saline, Michigan, is seeking an experienced and collaborative municipal leader to serve as its Interim City Manager for a period of approximately 9 months while the City conducts a search for its next permanent City Manager.
Located in southeast Michigan, Saline is a vibrant community of approximately 10,000 residents known for its strong neighborhoods, thriving downtown, excellent schools, and engaged citizenry. The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government with an annual general fund appropriation budget of approximately $17 million.
Position Summary
The Interim City Manager serves as the chief administrative officer of the City and is responsible for the day-to-day management of municipal operations under the direction of the City Council as a body. The successful candidate will provide stable leadership, maintain continuity of operations, support City staff, and work collaboratively with elected officials, community stakeholders, and regional partners.
The Interim City Manager will oversee approximately 64 full-time employees with additional part-time, seasonal and temporary employees and provide executive leadership for all municipal departments and operations.
Essential Responsibilities
- Direct and oversee the administration of all City departments, including:
- Finance
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Human Resources
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Public Works
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Community Development/Building
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Water and Wastewater Operations
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Utilities
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Police Department
- Provide executive oversight of the City's Recreation Center, including its aquatic center and related programming.
- Implement policies established by the City Council and ensure efficient delivery of municipal services.
- Prepare recommendations and reports for the City Council and attend all Council meetings and workshops.
- Supervise department directors and provide leadership, coaching, and organizational direction.
- Oversee financial management, budgeting, purchasing, and ensure fiscal accountability.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- Manage capital improvement projects and monitor organizational priorities in alignment with the City’s Strategic Plan.
- Maintain productive working relationships with labor representatives, employees, residents, businesses, and community organizations.
- Collaborate with regional and community partners including, but not limited to:
- Saline Main Street
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Saline Area Chamber of Commerce
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Saline Area Schools
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Regional governmental agencies
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Utility and service partners
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Community organizations and nonprofits
- Provide responsive communication to the City Council, staff, and the public.
- Maintain continuity of operations during the transition to a permanent City Manager.
Desired Qualifications
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong executive leadership in municipal government.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and consensus-building skills.
- Experience working effectively with elected officials in a Council-Manager form of government.
- Knowledge of municipal budgeting, finance, utilities, infrastructure, and personnel administration.
- Experience supervising diverse municipal departments and managing organizational priorities.
- Ability to provide steady, impartial leadership during a transitional period.
- Commitment to transparency, accountability, ethical governance, and exceptional public service.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field. A Master's degree (MPA or related discipline) is preferred.
- 7 - 10 years of progressively more responsible experience in local government administration, policy administration, or another related field in a comparably complex environment.
- At least 5 years as a department head, executive level director, or chief executive; preferably with prior local government manager experience.
- Previous experience serving as a City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Interim City Manager, or equivalent executive municipal leadership position is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing municipal budgets, personnel, and public infrastructure and utilities.
Compensation
This is a full-time, temporary appointment anticipated to last approximately 6–9 months.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary range listed reflects a total package inclusive of benefits. The City is prepared to offer a competitive compensation package for an individual with demonstrated municipal executive leadership experience.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
Candidates may apply directly through the City website or by email to [email protected]
Questions can be directed to [email protected] or to 734-429-4907 ext. 2212.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. The City of Saline is an equal opportunity employer.
