City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Deputy City Manager

Assists the City Manager in the overall daily administration of City services and operations. This position serves as the second-in-command, assuming critical responsibilities in the absence of the City Manager, and functions as a chief operating officer, overseeing the management and direction of City departments and organization-wide initiatives. The Deputy City Manager ensures organizational alignment with City Council priorities and strategic direction, fosters relationships with key stakeholders, exercises political acumen, and serves as a key advisor to the City Manager and City Council.

1. Acts as the City Manager in their absence, overseeing day-to-day operations, decision-making, and representing the city's interests as necessary.
2. May provide oversight, leadership and guidance to Assistant City Managers, department heads, and staff to ensure organizational collaboration, focus, and alignment with City Council policy direction and to deliver effective city services.
3. Manages and directs city programs and initiatives to achieve operational excellence, efficient service delivery, and equity.
4. Assists and advises the City Manager in working with and advising City Council Members and staff to understand priorities, goals, and policy objectives.
5. Helps maintain responsive and transparent communication within the organization, with residents, and stakeholders.
6. Fosters relationships with community groups, organizations, governmental agencies, businesses, and non-profit entities to leverage collaborative solutions to address community needs.
7. With political acumen, navigates complex issues, resolves conflicts, and builds consensus among diverse stakeholders.
8. Manages crises and emergencies with sound judgment, ensuring the continuity of essential City services, and maintaining public confidence.
9. Represents the City’s interest with residents, the business community, and other key stakeholders to promote responsive and effective resolution of issues or concerns.
10. Assists and advises the City Manager in the development of the City budget priorities and overall financial oversight to ensure fiscal accountability and alignment with strategic priorities.
11. Mentor and develop departmental leaders and staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities, including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of public administration principles, including the basic principles of organization, management, and resource allocation.
• Knowledge of methods for establishing various policies and procedures governing the conduct of municipal administration.
• Skill in preparing and analyzing budgets, reports and studies.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and evaluating the activities of a department or departments.
• Skill in establishing effective working relationships with employees, City Council, the media and the public.
• Skill in leading an organization from a values-driven perspective, including such things as equity, innovation, sustainability, and resiliency.
• Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workplaces and community programs.
• Ability to manage diversity, understand inclusion, and work with diverse communities and populations to build constructive and effective relationships.
• Ability to deliver feedback to peers and subordinates in ways that effectively promote personal and organizational learning and improved results.

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or related field plus five (5) years’ experience in managing and directing a complex organization, including two (2) years of municipal management experience as a department head or comparable capacity.

None.