Chief Administrative Officer

Come work for the City of New Haven

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PLEASE NOTE: Residency in the City of New Haven is required within six months (180 days) of appointment, unless otherwise provided by Ordinance.

• Must be available to work beyond standard business hours, including nights and weekends, to respond to emergencies, attend meetings, and support 24/7 operations.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license at time of application and must maintain said license throughout duration of employment. Local and intra-city travel will be required.

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PRIMARY FUNCTION:

This is a senior staff position under the direct supervision of the Mayor tasked with assisting the Administration in coordinating and improving the departments, offices and agencies that make up the municipal government organization.

The role of this position seeks to champion the vision of the Mayor internally and externally by valuing diversity, equity and inclusion for all City employees and constituents, as well as maintain an unyielding focus at all times on what is best for residents and for the City.

Work involves responsibility for assuring that services to residents are delivered fairly and cost-effectively in a data-driven approach to government. Emphasis is on independent problem-solving in the conduct of the government on behalf of the Mayor; and, on fostering a team-centered environment that inspires collaboration and supports all colleagues in leveraging their passions towards advancement of public service.

REPORTS TO:

This position reports to the Mayor.

SUPERVISES:

This position manages numerous department heads which employ hundreds of staff. Expectations for the management role of this position is to remain deeply committed to developing and bringing out the strengths of City departments while holding staff accountable for their goals and the Mayor’s desired programmatic, financial and operational outcomes.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Work closely with department heads to build their skills and confidence so that they can mentor, encourage and motivate their department staff. Provide mentorship and guidance on how to improve service management and team performance.

2. Set up accountability systems and nurture a growing sense of ownership within departments to ensure continued delivery of high-caliber public service.

3. Coordinate and analyze appropriate data to inform operational decision making and service delivery. Throughout the process, foster innovation and learning – test, learn, adapt, iterate – for greatest impact.

4. Establish measurable performance goals to assess City service quality, impact and sustainability on an annual and on-going basis.

5. Resolves conflicts between parts of the city government, between citizens and the government and among citizens.

6. Engage closely with Finance and Budget departments to monitor programmatic operations to ensure sound fiscal management.

7. Represent the Administration in public meetings, media events, and at state and local legislative hearings.

8. Tracks pertinent legislation impacting municipal operations; oversees litigation settlement committee with recommendations to Mayor and legislative body on cost effective resolutions.

9. Performs other related work as required.

NOTE: The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job and shall not be construed as a complete listing of all duties or as a contract.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, & EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Organizational Leadership or a closely related field. Ideal candidate will have additional course work in one or more of the following: Emergency Management, Public Safety, Law, Human Resources Management, Finance & Public Budgeting. Additionally, candidates should have at least 7 years of high senior-level experience in government management and administration.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

1. Demonstrated experience with and commitment to collaborative management and team building, alongside evidence of success in building relationships and fostering alliances among a diversity of people to accomplish goals.

2. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple teams, time, and projects, while ensuring staff are aligned with organizational priorities and that goals are met efficiently.

3. Ability to work closely with department heads to mentor, motivate, and build their skills, encouraging ownership and accountability within their departments.

4. Skilled in strategic planning, project management, and organization; able to focus on key organizational priorities without losing sight of details.

5. Demonstrated ability to increase efficiency and effectiveness of municipal government through integrated process and system improvements.

6. Thorough knowledge of legislation and policies that affect local government, including familiarity with municipal law, finance, and labor relations.

7. Must demonstrate an understanding of personnel and labor relations in a unionized environment, including staffing, training, discipline, handling grievances, negotiations, and interpreting and implementing collective bargaining agreements.

8. Experience with budget preparation and management for multiple departments in a state, local or county government.

9. Proven ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and meet critical deadlines, maintaining both broad focus and attention to detail under pressure.

10. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences, including government officials, department heads, staff, media, and the public.

11. Ability to present facts and express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, in a variety of settings, including public meetings, media events, and legislative hearings.

12. Experience representing an administration or organization in public forums and media.

13. Strong interpersonal communication skills, fostering positive relationships across different levels of the organization and with external partners.

14. Must be skilled in active listening and facilitating discussions, and have the ability to resolve conflicts between city departments, between citizens and government, and among citizens, using effective mediation and negotiation strategies.

15. Ability to coordinate and analyze data to inform operational decisions and service delivery.

16. Ability to demonstrate cultural competency and self-reflection in leadership, recognizing and addressing the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin on policy-making and public service.

PLEASE NOTE

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Residency in the City of New Haven is required within six months (180 days) of appointment, unless otherwise provided by Ordinance.
• Must be available to work beyond standard business hours, including nights and weekends, to respond to emergencies, attend meetings, and support 24/7 operations.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license at time of application and must maintain said license throughout duration of employment. Local and intra-city travel will be required.