City Manager

Company Description

The City of Lynn Haven, Florida, is a thriving and fast-growing community located in the heart of Bay County along the beautiful Emerald Coast. With a population of approximately 20,000 residents, Lynn Haven is recognized for its strong sense of community, family-friendly atmosphere, and commitment to excellence in public service. The City provides a full range of municipal services—including public safety, utilities, parks and recreation, public works, and community development—while fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and innovation. Guided by a Commission–Manager form of government, Lynn Haven is dedicated to preserving its rich history, supporting sustainable growth, and ensuring a high quality of life for all who live, work, and visit here.

Job Description

General Description:

The City Manager is appointed by and reports to the City Commission, and is the chief administrative officer as defined by the city’s charter, responsible for the day-to-day operations and its workforce. The City Manager provides leadership, direction, and effective decision-making for the administration and operation of each department within the City. The City Manager develops city policies and carries out policies established by ordinances, resolutions, and Commission directives. The City Manager acts as a bridge between the elected officials (i.e., the City Commission) and the community, ensuring transparent and effective operations.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

As defined by the City Charter (Section 26), the City Manager is responsible for the proper administration of all city affairs, including but not limited to:

1: Financial Management: Provides strategic leadership and oversight of the City’s financial operations to ensure fiscal responsibility, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

2: Strategic Planning: Leads and oversees planning and zoning, economic development initiatives, the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and the development and enforcement of policies and procedures to promote sustainable growth and effective governance.

3: Community Relations: Promotes transparency in government by addressing citizen concerns, fostering positive and open communications, and effectively representing the City to the public, stakeholders, and media.

4: Personnel Management: Provides leadership and direction to City staff by fostering a professional, accountable, and collaborative workplace culture; ensures the recruitment and retention of high-quality employees; manages staffing requests from department heads; and promotes effective performance management, employee development, and engagement across all departments.

5: Service Delivery: Ensures efficient and effective delivery of city services, including public works, public utilities, public safety, planning and development services, maintenance of city properties, and other essential services.

Note: These duties are not exhaustive. The City Manager may be assigned additional responsibilities, including City Commission-directed tasks during emergencies.

The Ideal Candidate:

The City of Lynn Haven seeks a pragmatic, professional, and ethical servant leader with a passion for public service, high accountability, and integrity.

Knowledge of:

• City management laws, contracts, budget and finance, and personnel administration
• Organization and functions of municipal government, including current trends and developments

• Municipal administrative services and operations and how they need to interact cohesively to provide exceptional local government services to residents and customers

Skills:

• Executive leadership and management
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Financial management and long-term budgeting
• Policy and process analysis, including development and improvement

• Negotiation, collaboration, strategic thinking, and problem-solving

Abilities:

• Plan, organize, and manage all activities of the City's operations proactively
• Lead all departments and functions effectively
• Develop and implement effective organizational policies and procedures
• Set priorities and allocate resources efficiently
• Direct city programs, projects, and initiatives

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Master’s degree in public administration or related field 8 years of progressively responsible municipal experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree 10 years of relevant experience; or
• In lieu of a degree, 15 years of progressively responsible local government experience;
• Minimum 5 years in a senior executive leadership role (City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Department Director)
• Proven experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and strategic planning initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with elected officials, boards, commissions, and intergovernmental partners

Additional Requirements:

• Must pass a Level 2 background check
• Must obtain and maintain a Florida Driver’s License within a reasonable period
• Must establish and maintain residency within the City of Lynn Haven per City Charter

Benefits

The City of Lynn Haven offers a competitive, robust benefits plan, with the City covering 100% of the cost of various benefits to include AllyHealth, Life and Accident Insurance, and Long-term Disability. In addition, the employee may opt to add additional insurance. A list of all available benefits is as follows:

• AllyHealth- Virtual Medical Care (provided by the City)
• $50,000 of Life & $50,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (provided by the City)
• Long-term Disability Insurance (provided by the City)
• Major Medical Insurance (Florida Blue-Blue Options)
• Dental Insurance (Florida Combined Life)
• Vision Insurance (MetLife VSP)
• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Options
• Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance Options
• Flexible Spending Account

Employees also earn Paid Time Off (PTO), Personal Paid Time Off (PPTO), 13 Paid Holidays, as well as time off for jury duty, bereavement, and military leave.

The City also provides a DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN, including a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP).

Application Deadline -11.24.25

Interested candidates must submit an application, including a résumé and cover letter, no later than Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered unless the deadline is formally extended by the Lynn Haven City Commission.