Assistant City Manager for Development Services and Quality of Life

Assistant City Manager for Development Services and Quality of Life

The City of Wichita seeks a dynamic, result-oriented and collaborative leader to usher the community into its next era of regional growth and quality development. This position is the perfect combination of (1) overseeing economic development work; (2) supervising and coordinating with city planning, housing, building/construction services and utilities/engineering; and (3) representing the City as a liaison to developers, Greater Wichita Partnership, Kansas Department of Commerce and other key players in commercial development. Under direction of the new and forward-thinking City Manager, the Assistant City Manager for Development Services and Quality of Life also oversees and coordinates zoning enforcement, nuisance abatement, real estate and property management and grant application efforts in support of the community's development goals and the organization's policies, objectives and goals. The Development Services Team strives to create a vibrant and strong community with beautiful neighborhoods and a thriving economy to create a high quality of life for the largest city in the state of Kansas. This position is one of two Assistant City Managers appointed by the City Manager. The focus of this position is to perform administrative work planning, directing, and coordinating development services for the City of Wichita, including elements of the city's strategic plan under their purview. This employee functions as an operational manager which includes interpretation of policies and implementation of programs as directed by the City Manager. Interaction with elected officials and governmental agencies is frequent. Work is directed and reviewed through the establishment of goals and subsequent evaluation of progress toward goal attainment. Development Services Team The Development Services Team provides access to tools and services available to encourage investment in Wichita's buildings, infrastructure, and workforce to create an environment where businesses will locate and grow in a top 50 U.S. city. This is achieved by serving as the City's single point of contact for companies and developers during the development process. The Development Services Team provides a variety of real estate and property management services for City departments and offers economic development programs to encourage growth and development: Industrial Revenue Bonds, Economic Development Exemptions, Tax Increment Financing, Community Improvement Districts, Faade Improvements Program and Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond Districts. The Team also focuses on entrepreneurship and small business development, plus retention and expansion of existing companies.

ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

• Positive, optimistic attitude, excellent facilitator
• Honesty and personal integrity
• Diplomatic; treats everyone with respect and dignity
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Good understanding of finance, budgeting and public management
• Excellent people/public relations, communication and mediation/negotiation skills; adept at conflict management and resolution
• Ability to network with communities, economic development professionals and a wide variety of other organizations (well beyond the scope of the local community)
• Ability to work effectively with community leaders, diverse community groups and all levels of government
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, often in the face of adversity
• Comfortable and effective at public speaking and making presentations
• Ability to research and analyze information from a wide variety of sources
• Ability to analyze problems and seek innovative solutions
• Adept at fostering organizational and business development
• Ability to prepare well-thought-out proposals and make recommendations
• Marketing and salesmanship skills; ability to inspire and mobilize people
• Basic understanding of land use planning, real estate development, zoning, economic development principles and tools, and municipal infrastructure
• Good understanding of government and legislative processes
• Dedication to the local government profession that includes evening and weekend meetings, an ever-changing business and political environment and inherent challenges in economic development

Examples of Work Performed

• Serves as Team Leader for functional grouping of development services, departments and staff.
• Drives innovation and collaborations to tackle touch community issues and implement big ideas.
• Represents the City Manager and City of Wichita at local, regional and national meetings and events.
• Participates in the coordination and preparation of the agenda for the City Council.
• Drafts policies and regulations for review by City Manager.
• Responds to inquiries from the public, civic and professional groups, and the news media in person, by telephone, or by correspondence.
• Confers with the City Manager on policy matters and proceeds as appropriate to ensure implementation/compliance.
• Provides guidance to Department & Division Directors in implementing governing body and administrative directives.
• Communicates with Department Directors to convey and gather information required by the City Manager.
• Provides information and staff support at meetings of the City Council.
• Approves drafts of operating procedures and directives.
• Coordinates interdepartmental activities.
• Conducts or participates in special projects.
• Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle.
• The examples of work performed are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• The City of Wichita reserves the right to assign additional responsibilities as needed.

Requirements of Work

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of municipal administration that includes operational functions of various units of government.
• Thorough knowledge of economic development principles, policies and tools.
• Ability to quickly develop thorough knowledge of regulations, ordinances and laws governing the municipality.
• Ability to analyze a variety of administrative problems and make sound policy and procedural recommendations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments, representatives of other organizations, City officials, and the public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• To live in the corporate city limits
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.

Experience and Training

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, economic development, urban planning, or a related field.
• A minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible supervisory and managerial experience in leading cross-functional teams, projects and departments.
• Experience as a city/county administrator or assistant manager/department director.

Preferred:

• A master's degree in public administration, business administration, economic development, urban planning, or a related field.
• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners as a Certified Economic Developer or as an Economic Development Finance Professional.

A cover letter including major responsibilities and accomplishments plus a detailed resume is mandatory at application (submit online, in the attachments section). A minimum of three (3) professional references is preferred. First review of applications will be June 29, 2026. Posting may remain active until position filled. Offers of employment will be made contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which will include drug screening, and a background check.