Olathe, KS – City Manager

About the Position

Are you a decisive, visionary, strategic leader who thrives in complexity and can inspire people and drive excellence across all facets of city government? If so, apply to be Olathe’s next City Manager! The City of Olathe is seeking an exceptional communicator and relationship-builder who can:

• Shepherd organizational culture and continuous improvement with a focus on innovative workforce strategies.
• Drive strategic planning.
• Provide hands-on financial stewardship for a $1B+ organization.
• Lead economic development, downtown redevelopment and major initiatives.

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the nation’s most well-run and livable cities. Olathe, Kansas, the “capital” of Johnson County, is a vibrant, fast-growing community that blends suburban comfort with cosmopolitan amenities. Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Kansas and in the Country, Olathe is known for its excellent schools, thriving economy and innovative city services. Olathe continues to attract families, entrepreneurs, and businesses seeking opportunity in a welcoming environment. Olathe operates under a Council–Manager form of government. The City Council is made up of a directly-elected Mayor and six other Council Members.

The ideal candidate will be a driven, forward-looking, innovative leader with a proven track record in local government management. They will demonstrate impeccable integrity, political astuteness while remaining apolitical, and place a high value on community engagement. This leader should bring strong generalist skills across finance, planning, redevelopment, and public safety while surrounding themselves with talented subject-matter-experts. They must be a consensus-builder, coach, and strong communicator who can navigate adaptive challenges with diplomacy. Olathe seeks an energetic, servant leader, someone relatable and accessible who values teamwork and collaboration. The successful candidate will be inspirational, foster innovation, and build lasting relationships, ensuring Olathe continues to thrive as one of America’s most admired cities.

Required qualifications include:

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible local government experience, including executive leadership.
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern public administration and municipal management practices.
• Permanent residency in Olathe within 6 months of appointment.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Prior experience as senior executive in a full-service city.
• Strong background in economic development, redevelopment, and public finance.
• Credentialing and/or professional certifications (e.g., ICMA-CM).

For more information on this position, contact:
Mark McDaniel
Senior Vice President, Executive Recruitment
[email protected]  | 817-773-6558