Assistant City Manager

Posting number: 2026-01916

Department: Administration Services

Division: Administration - City Mgr

Job classification: ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER

Posting type: Internal/External

Categories: Administration, Management, Professional, Executive Management

Summary

The City of Asheville is seeking the position of Assistant City Manager. The Assistant City Manager (ACM) provides high-level leadership and strategic counsel to the City Manager, serving as a vital link between the City Council’s vision and operational execution. The ACM is responsible for empowering department heads to reach performance benchmarks, ensuring rigorous fiscal and administrative accountability, and spearheading complex, high-priority initiatives. This role requires a sophisticated ability to navigate the competing interests of community stakeholders while maintaining a commitment to organizational excellence and sustainable municipal growth.

For more information about this opportunity and Asheville click HERE.

Please include a Cover Letter and Resume with your application.  

Examples of duties

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Serve as an executive liaison between the City Council and municipal operations, translating City Council priorities into actionable strategies while preserving organizational stability and operational integrity.

• Communicate critical operational updates to the City Manager and Council to facilitate data-driven decision-making.

• Provide executive leadership and strategic coordination across complex municipal operations and critical initiatives, including city-wide emergency response and continuity of government functions.

• Evaluate existing administrative policies to identify gaps in oversight and implement necessary structural improvements.

• Direct cross-departmental operations to ensure all municipal services align with established city-wide goals and legal standards.

• Manage large-scale municipal projects by coordinating resources across various functional areas to ensure on-time completion.

• Monitor departmental performance metrics to maintain high-quality service delivery while minimizing operational waste.

• Resolve complex organizational conflicts by identifying root causes and implementing sustainable, policy and data driven solutions.

• Mentor department directors and emerging leaders to build a high-capacity, resilient internal management structure.

• Oversee the development of the annual budget to ensure long-term fiscal stability and strategic resource allocation.

• Enforce organizational accountability standards to maintain a consistent and transparent professional environment for all staff.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration or a related field required; supplemented by ten years of progressively
responsible experience in municipal government management, to include lead or supervisory experience; or any
equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and
abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Residency Requirement: This position requires the successful candidate to maintain a primary residence within
Buncombe County, North Carolina, throughout the duration of their employment.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential
functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary
to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Require