Assistant City Manager

The new Assistant City Manager will join a growing and engaged City  Manager’s Office. Successful candidates must be people-focused, exhibit an exemplary customer service approach, and have a strong commitment to public service. The City Manager values collaboration  and is seeking a leader that is both confidently independent and works  to ensure a united voice within the City Manager’s Office. While members of the City Manager’s Office will have assigned areas of  responsibility, a team-based approach that includes functional  partnerships to achieve results is important to the City Manager’s  vision for the office.

The City of Thornton also has a newly adopted strategic plan and the  Assistant City Manager will have roles in supporting Departments in  their alignment to the strategic plan and in directly supporting Strategic Plan Operations Teams and Strategic Plan Advisory Teams.  Members of the City Manager’s Office will also be working to identify  organizational improvements to address areas of employee priority through a recent employee survey and to strengthen capacity to model  the City’s newly adopted Vision, Mission and Values.

This Assistant City Manager will be one of the first recruitment efforts  to implement organizational changes proposed by a recent third-party  structural review. The review was intended to build on the already  strong performance and quality of life by realigning functions for  greater role clarity, organizational collaboration, and to prepare for  future growth.  If all recommendations of the third-party assessment  are implemented, the new Assistant City Manager will supervise the  following functional areas as outlined by the recommended future organization structure: Planning and Permitting, Economic  Development, Housing and Human Services, Code Compliance, and  Parks and Recreation. 

The City is seeking a professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Public  Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; eight  years’ experience in local government including at least four years’  executive experience in a City Manager’s Office or as a department  director. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be  considered. The candidate will have successfully served in or  demonstrate strong familiarity with the Council-Manager form of  government. Successful candidates will also have a proven record of  leadership, fiscal stewardship, innovation, and relationship-building. 

For optimal consideration, candidates are encouraged to apply immediately by completing an application and attaching a  comprehensive resume and compelling cover letter via our website. 

The City of Thornton offers a competitive salary range of  $202,330 – $267,075 annually commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience. The City provides a comprehensive benefits package.

Applications will be accepted until December 19, 2025. The City of Thornton will review applications as they are received.