Lawrence, KS – City Manager

About the Position

The City of Lawrence, Kansas, seeks a strong relationship-driven leader with demonstrated abilities in the following:

• Demonstrated economic development acumen and well-versed in development processes
• A skilled problem solver with excellent negotiation skills and a track record of creative/entrepreneurial solutions
• Building authentic, trusting, and productive relationships with Commissioners, staff, and community stakeholders
• Comfortable in a highly visible position and becoming part of Lawrence’s professional and social fabric
• Experience in managing/leading a regional City

Lawrence, Kansas is a dynamic, university-driven city known for its progressive values, cultural richness, and civic energy. Nestled in Northeast Kansas just off I-70 and K-10, Lawrence blends small-town friendliness with metropolitan access to Kansas City (30 minutes from downtown) and 40 minutes to new KCI Airport. Home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University, the city boasts a highly educated population, a thriving arts scene, and one of the most celebrated downtowns in the country—Massachusetts Street (“Mass Street”).

The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Commission consists of five at-large, elected members. The Mayor and Vice Mayor are selected by the City Commission annually. The City Manager’s Office provides executive leadership and strategic coordination across all municipal departments and partner agencies. The City Manager oversees all City operations and serves as the chief administrative officer of the organization. The ideal candidate will bring significant executive-level municipal management experience and a demonstrated record of economic development leadership. They will be a highly visible, emotionally intelligent leader who builds authentic relationships with elected officials, staff, university partners, and community stakeholders. This individual will demonstrate strong financial acumen, experience with public-private partnerships, and comfort navigating collective bargaining environments.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities included in the position job description is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would include the following:

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field
• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible management experience
• Five (5) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility
• Ability to establish residency within the City of Lawrence within six (6) months of hire

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience leading a regional or university-centered city
• Demonstrated success in economic development and public-private partnerships
• Experience in collective bargaining and labor-management relations
• Strong background in municipal budgeting and long-range financial planning
• Proven track record in intergovernmental collaboration

The salary range for this position is $229,153 – $338,769 depending on experience and qualifications.

For more information, contact:

Doug Thomas, Executive Vice President of Executive Recruitment/Leadership Development

[email protected] | (863) 860-9314