Assistant Manager

Assistant Manager

First review of qualified applications 30 days after posting opens - March 2, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

We hope you will take time to explore this opportunity to join a highly professional local government organization and a progressive, vibrant community in the heart of sunny Northeast Georgia just 65 miles from Atlanta. Home of the University of Georgia, Athens is nationally-recognized for its high quality of life, state-of-the-art educational opportunities, endless outdoor recreation, and cultural amenities such as arts, entertainment, music, and food. If this opportunity is for you, we invite you to apply, or to pass on this information to others who might find this position of interest.

Reports To: Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative

Classification: Regular Non-Merit; serves at the discretion of the Manager

Pay Grade: Not Classified; Salary Range: $175,049 - $271,308

Anticipated Hiring Range: $175,049 - $192,553

Safety Sensitive: No

Purpose of Job: The purpose of this job is to assist the Manager with administrative, managerial, and day-to-day operational duties as assigned. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, creating/reviewing/evaluating/clarifying policies/procedures/organizational issues and related topics; performing strategic planning/forecasting activities; assisting with operating/capital budget preparation/monitoring/execution; preparing reports on various issues as assigned; coordinating projects with department directors/elected or appointed officials/staff; attending meetings and making public presentation as necessary; representing the manager's office on various committees/task forces; resolving problems of routine nature and emergency/unplanned events; and other duties generally associated with oversight of government activities and functions, and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Job Related Requirements

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm with regular evening and weekend hours and events. Some overnight travel may be required. May be required to work on religious holidays. Regular and predictable attendance is required. Must work cooperatively with others.

Minimum Training & Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

• Bachelor's Degree in Public/Business Administration or a related field with a minimum of five years of experience managing operations and projects similar to those typically associated with local government functions and responsibilities required or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Local government management experience and five years local government supervisory experience in a jurisdiction of similar size and complexity as Athens-Clarke County required.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Final candidates must successfully pass the pre-employment process that includes a thorough background investigation of employment, educational history, driving history, criminal history, and credit history.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Supervises an assigned group of Department Directors including the following duties: determining priority of projects; providing leadership and guidance; maintaining discipline; making hiring, pay, and termination recommendations /decisions; reviewing work products; and completing performance evaluations.
• As directed by the Manager, reviews departmental and governmental procedures for effectiveness, aids in the development and implementation of operating policies and procedures to ensure that the government operates in an effective and efficient manner.
• Oversees the daily and long-term activities of the overall organization of the assigned departments which includes: planning strategies, goals and objectives; planning, developing, reviewing, and revising operating procedures; and, making recommendations to the Manager concerning the allocation of resources and sufficiency of services provided.
• Plans, develops, implements, and directs major projects and programs by developing and reviewing on-going special programs and making decisions concerning implementation of new ideas and concepts.
• Serves as Project Manager for multi-departmental projects to ensure effective coordination among departments; coordinates the development of reports, studies, grant proposals, and ordinances, as requested by the Manager, to address concerns identified by the general public, elected officials, or management.
• Assists with the development and implementation of operating and budgetary policies and in the development of goals and objectives for departments and programs; assists with the development of policies and programs to assure that the goals and objectives defined by elected officials are met in an effective manner.
• Prepares and monitors annual operating and capital budgets in coordination with Department Directors.
• Reviews departmental budget requests/ reports/studies and recommends action to the Manager.
• Represents the Unified Government on committees/task forces and attends meetings of the Mayor and Commission as required.
• Assists in the development of Request for Proposals and in the selection of professional services.
• Assists in the development of recruitment documents/efforts for Department Directors and other management team members.
• Reviews draft Mayor & Commission Agenda Reports according to preparation guidelines to ensure completeness.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of municipal government and public administration.
• Knowledge of the development and administration of operations and staff plans and objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of the specific duties of the position.
• Knowledge of all applicable professional principals/practices, laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the job.
• Proficient with computer software typically used to support administrative and planning needs of the Manager's Office.
• Knowledge of resources for keeping informed of any changes in policy, methods, operations, and budgetary and equipment needs.
• Ability to establish priorities, organize work, and communicate effectively by written and oral means.
• Ability to develop, propose, and monitor short and long-range goals and plans to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to deal effectively with organizational, management, human relations, and technical subjects.
• Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans, and activities and to monitor the performance of programs against measured, established goals.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with elected/appointed officials, management, employees, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County as they relate to the Manager's Office.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret personnel and financial reports, contract documents, and related materials.
• Ability to understand engineering and technical issues typically encountered with the operations of the assigned departments.
• Ability to convey technical issues associated with assigned departments in a manner that can be reasonably understood by lay persons within the community and within the Mayor and Commission of the Unified Government.
• Ability to coordinate the technical interactions of assigned departments so as to eliminate conflicts between policies/procedures of the assigned departments which impact the community development processes.

Characteristics and traits that are essential to the success of the Assistant Manager include:

• Able to understand and successfully manage an organization with many complex and interrelated moving parts;
• Able to serve as a visionary for assigned staff with the ability to take reasoned risks, while employing creative and innovative thinking to forge solutions;
• Possess a service-oriented approach to public service;
• Able to collaborate and be comfortable in developing shared solutions;
• Possess strong analytical skills and able to think and act strategically while considering all aspects of an issue before making a decision;
• Able to be strong, enthusiastic and respectful when presenting ideas to others;
• Able to be a self-starter, people person and team builder who sets an example for others;
• Must understand the role of Assistant Manager, Manager, and Mayor & Commission within the context of the Charter and Code of Ordinances of