Chief Administrative Officer

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of effective and efficient city services and infrastructure improvements to the people of New Orleans, and for serving as a strong fiscal steward of taxpayer dollars and delivering a balanced budget. As the city’s chief administrative and operating officer, the CAO leads day-to-day operations across city departments, drives accountability and performance management, and ensures that government is responsive, transparent, and results oriented. This role is central to fulfilling the Mayor’s vision for the priorities of public safety, economic growth, efficient city services, affordability, quality of life, and transparent and accountable governance.

Charter authority & scope:

Prepare the annual operating and capital budgets; supervise the execution of budget ordinances; manage department heads (except Law & Civil Service); prescribe administrative standards of practice (HRC §§ 4-208, 4-302).

Reporting Structure: 

Reports directly to the Mayor

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the city’s administrative and operating officer, coordinating the execution of the Mayor’s agenda in partnership with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff and across all city leaders and department heads to ensure city services are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Translate the Mayor’s policy vision and priorities into operational plans with clear benchmarks, measurable outcomes, and performance dashboards to ensure transparency and accountability to the people of New Orleans. 
• Responsible and accountable for essential city departments, namely Finance and Budget, Public Works, Capital Projects, Property Management, Safety & Permits, Sanitation, Code Enforcement, Parks & Parkways, Technology, Innovation and Performance Management and Human Resources, and such other departments and functions as the Mayor and Home Rule Charter designate.
• Deliver a balanced budget, fiscal stewardship, and resource allocation in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer. Drive efficiency measures to reduce waste, improve financial stewardship, and ensure accountability to taxpayers.
• Responsible for Public Works and Capital Projects that deliver infrastructure maintenance and projects that are high-quality and coordinated with a focus on strong communications to residents. Coordinate and plan for major capital projects and expenditures by convening Public Works, Sewerage & Water Board, Property Management, public utility operators and other agencies, such as the Regional Transit Authority, Port of New Orleans and the Aviation Board.
• Responsible for Safety & Permits to ensure delivery of efficient, effective services that foster safety, economic development and quality of life. 
• Responsible for ensuring the procurement process is fair, efficient, and delivers best value whileexpanding opportunity for local and disadvantaged businesses.
• Responsible for technology and information services to ensure City Hall is efficient and innovative and responsive to the needs of the people.
• Drive strategy to make City Hall a great place to work and create a culture of service excellence in partnership with the human resources department and the Civil Service department.
• Ensure the integration of sustainability and resilience principles into city operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, law, engineering, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• At least 15 years senior leadership experience, preferably in government, large nonprofits, or corporate operations.
• Fluency in financial management, infrastructure oversight, or city operations.
• Exceptional leadership, management, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with New Orleans’ and Louisiana’s civic, cultural, and government landscape preferred.

Benefits information will be available in the future.