Town Manager

Town Manager

Town of Berwick, ME

Lead with Purpose. Manage with Accountability. Build Berwicks Future.

The Town of Berwick, Maine, (pop, 8,500 and an operating budget of $11M; excluding schools) is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking, and community-minded professional to serve as its next Town Manager. This is an opportunity for a capable municipal leader to guide day-to-day operations, strengthen fiscal management, support economic development, and work collaboratively with the Selectboard, employees, residents, and the business community to advance the Towns priorities.

Berwick seeks a leader who combines sound judgment and professional integrity with the confidence to make decisions, the ability to hold staff accountable, and the initiative to address challenges and deliver results on a daily basis.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Town Manager serves as the chief administrative officer responsible for overseeing municipal operations of approximately 50 full-time and 50 part-time staff members with 10 direct reports and 3 collective bargaining units, implementing Selectboard policies and priorities, and ensuring the effective delivery of municipal services while also serving in various roles such as Treasurer, Road Commissioner, Tax Collector, Public Health Officer and Public Information Officer.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Berwicks future by strengthening organizational performance by inspiring and developing an exceptional municipal team that works together, takes pride in its work, maintains responsible financial oversight, advances infrastructure priorities and is dedicated to delivering outstanding service to the people of Berwick, while also supporting a positive environment for business and economic development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Municipal Leadership and Organizational Management

• Provide effective leadership and oversight of Town departments and daily municipal operations along with labor relations.
• Establish clear expectations, maintain professional standards, and promote accountability throughout the organization.
• Supervise and evaluate department heads while fostering a respectful, productive, and professional workplace.
• Exercise independent judgment and resolve routine operational matters efficiently.
• Maintain open, constructive communication with the Selectboard and implement its policies and priorities.

Financial Management and Accountability

• Develop a thorough understanding of the Towns financial position, budget, and long-term fiscal obligations.
• Promote responsible budgeting, sound financial controls, and transparent financial reporting.
• Evaluate recommendations critically, ask informed questions, and help ensure that financial decisions are well-supported.
• Balance service delivery and capital investment needs with the fiscal impact on taxpayers.

Infrastructure and Capital Planning

• Oversee planning and coordination for municipal infrastructure improvements and capital projects.
• Advance key priorities, including the Praise Bridge project, road and infrastructure improvements, and transfer station capital improvements.
• Support long-term planning, responsible resource allocation, and timely project implementation.

Economic Development and Community Engagement

• Work collaboratively with the Towns economic development staff to support existing businesses, attract new investment, and identify opportunities for sustainable economic growth for Berwick overall and within downtown and The Edge at Berwick project.
• Maintain constructive relationships with residents, businesses, community organizations, and other governmental partners.
• Communicate professionally and effectively, including when addressing criticism, competing priorities, and challenging situations.
• Promote public confidence through transparency, responsiveness, and consistent follow-through.

Legal Compliance and Public Service

• Ensure municipal operations comply with applicable laws, policies, and procedures, including Maines Freedom of Access Act.
• Oversee public records requests and promote timely, professional, and legally compliant responses by phone, email or in person.
• Work with the Selectboard, Town staff, and legal counsel when complex legal, operational, or personnel matters arise.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Berwick is seeking a leader who is approachable yet decisive, collaborative yet independent, and committed to both accountability and respectful working relationships.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and personnel management skills.
• Knowledge of municipal operations, budgeting, fiscal management, and public administration.
• The ability to evaluate information independently, exercise sound judgment, and make informed decisions.
• A commitment to professional integrity, transparency, fairness, and ethical public service.
• The ability to address difficult situations constructively and hold employees accountable to established expectations.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strategic thinking, initiative, and a demonstrated ability to move projects and organizational priorities forward.
• A commitment to responsive government and maintaining public trust.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should possess relevant experience in municipal government, public administration, organizational leadership, fiscal management, or a related field that demonstrates the ability to oversee municipal operations effectively.

Experience supervising employees, managing budgets, coordinating capital projects, working with an elected governing body, and supporting economic development will be valuable.

The Town prefers a bachelor's or master's degree in public administration or public policy but recognizes that qualified candidates may bring different combinations of education, training, and professional experience. Applicants with backgrounds in public service or other relevant leadership roles are encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate the knowledge, judgment, and management capabilities necessary to lead a municipal organization.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Town offers a competitive compensation and benefits package commensurate with the successful candidates qualifications and experience.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Town of Berwick is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Town prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of any status protected by applicable federal or Maine law, including race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, and familial status.

Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the recruitment or selection process should contact Christine Landes at 207-441-7343 or christine@companyoffirstchoice.com.