The idyllically situated City of Santa Barbara with a nearly perfect climate year-round is a culturally diverse community of approximately 88,000 population located on the central coast of California. As one of California’s most beautiful cities to live, work and visit, visitors and residents alike enjoy an abundance of world-class shopping, dining, wine tasting, resort accommodations, outdoor activities and miles of beautiful pristine beaches and coastline.

The City Administrator for the City of Santa Barbara must be a collaborative, personable, team oriented, empowering, and accessible leader to manage and lead this full-service city. The successful candidate must possess strong leadership, management, financial, organizational development, and project management skills for fostering communication and cooperation, serving as the “north star” of the organization, and driving the City towards a prosperous future. The selected candidate should also embody and present the qualities of confidence, humility, composure, and people-centricity. To serve as City Administrator, applicants must have experience in the duties and responsibilities of serving as a City or County Manager, Administrator, or Deputy/Assistant in a full-service agency for at least five (5) years, or the equivalent, in a public sector position. The typical education for the position includes a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning or a related field. The ability to speak Spanish, a Master’s degree and/or participation in local government leadership programs are highly desirable. In recognition of disaster and emergency response, and consistent with the City Charter, it is further strongly desired that the successful candidate have residency in the City of Santa Barbara.

The annual salary range for this position is $282,877 - $342,281 with excellent benefits.

Filing deadline: December 1, 2023
Resumes are acknowledged within 2 business days.