Deputy Town Manager

Deputy Town Manager

Town of Cornelius, North Carolina

This job posting will remain open until April 30, 2026. We will review applications and may be in contact with applicants before the posting closes.

An Exceptional Leadership Opportunity

The Town of Cornelius, a vibrant lakeside community of 32,632 residents located along Lake Norman just north of Charlotte, is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking professional to serve as its next Deputy Town Manager.

This position is available due to the retirement of a long-tenured leader who served the organization for 13 years, including the last 8 years as Deputy Town Manager. This transition presents a unique opportunity to join a highly stable, collaborative, and high-performing leadership team.

About the Organization

Cornelius is known for its high quality of life, strong sense of community, and commitment to thoughtful growth and service excellence. The Town benefits from:

• Stable, experienced leadership with very low turnover among executive staff
• A current Town Manager with over 23 years of service, including 15 years as Assistant Town Manager and 8 years as Town Manager
• A collaborative and high-performing team of Department Heads dedicated to exceptional public service
• A culture that values professional development, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration

The Role

The Deputy Town Manager serves as a key strategic partner to the Town Manager. Together, they lead the organization, support the Mayor, Town Board and Department Heads, engage with regional and state partners, and guide the Town’s continued growth and success.

This role blends operational leadership, strategic planning, and project management, with significant visibility both inside the organization and throughout the community.

Key Areas of Focus

While responsibilities may evolve based on the selected candidate’s strengths, the Town is seeking a leader prepared to contribute in the following areas:

• Transportation & Infrastructure
  Lead and support transportation planning and project delivery, working with local citizens and advisory committees, including coordination with the regional MPO (CRTPO), partnership with NCDOT, funding development, and community engagement.
• Planning & Development
  Work closely with the Planning Department on rezonings, master plans, and ordinance and code updates to support responsible growth.
• Affordable Housing Initiatives
  Collaborate with regional partners to advance housing strategies that meet community needs.
• Legislative Coordination
  Develop and support the Town’s federal and state legislative priorities and advocacy efforts.
• Organizational Programs
  Support the Town Manager in the management of town departments, and oversee key internal initiatives such as performance management and employee-focused programs.
• Special Projects & Innovation
  Lead and contribute to high-impact initiatives, such as policy development, organizational improvements, and environmental stewardship efforts.
• Representation & Communication
  Represent the Town Manager across a wide range of meetings and partnerships and effectively communicate with diverse audiences.

The Ideal Candidate

Cornelius is seeking a well-rounded, strategic thinker who is equally comfortable addressing complex challenges and building strong relationships.

Core attributes include:

• Strong critical and strategic thinking; sound judgment
• Self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented
• Driven to operate independently, with strong follow through
• High integrity and professionalism
• Politically savvy with the ability to navigate complex environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative, approachable, and team-oriented
• Confident yet humble leadership style

What drives success in this role:

• A desire to grow professionally and personally
• A commitment to delivering exceptional service to the community
• A willingness to support colleagues and departments across the organization
• Desire to tackle a challenge
• Curiosity and a continuous learning mindset

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or county government
• At least 5 years must include progressive supervisory experience in a leadership role in municipal or county government such as Manager, Assistant Manager, or Department Head
• Candidates with experience as a municipal or county Manager or Assistant Manager with broad organizational responsibility are strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, analyze issues, and support executive-level decision-making

Compensation & Benefits

The Town of Cornelius offers a competitive compensation package with a hiring range of $150,000 – $192,000, depending on qualifications and experience, along with a comprehensive benefits program:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with significant discounts for dependent coverage
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1x annual salary
• Participation in the North Carolina Local Government Retirement System (LGERS)
• 5% employer contribution to 401(k)
• Access to retiree benefits after 20 years of service with the Town
• Paid parental leave
• 13 paid holidays annually
• Vacation leave accrual based on total years of service within North Carolina government

Why Cornelius?

Cornelius offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a community that values thoughtful growth, innovation, and service excellence, all while working alongside a dedicated and supportive leadership team.

Special Note

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.