DEPUTY CITY MANAGER

Maine’s premier City to work and live is becoming Maine’s premier municipal employer - welcome to Biddeford, Maine, where citizens are proud of their community and employees thrive!

The City of Biddeford, a beautiful, resurgent, coastal Maine community, is seeking dynamic people to join our award-winning team of professionals. As an employee in one of Maine’s youngest communities, you can become part of a team that is guiding its economic revival. You will need to be highly motivated, talented, with a strong desire to make a difference in the daily lives of citizens.

The City of Biddeford greatly values employee wellness and work/life balance. Many of our positions, including all positions in City Hall, allow for flexible scheduling and remote opportunities.

The Deputy City Manager supports the City Manager in the effective and efficient administration of City operations. This position provides high-level leadership, coordination, and oversight to assigned departments and major initiatives; assists in implementing City Council goals and City Manager directives; oversees economic development initiatives, and acts on behalf of the City Manager when designated.
The Deputy City Manager works collaboratively with department heads and organizational leadership to improve internal and external processes, strengthen communication, support workforce and culture initiatives, and ensure consistent, accountable service delivery to the community.
The Deputy City Manager also serves as the City’s external affairs manager and liaison to community members and business owners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Executive Leadership & Administration
• Serves as a principal advisor to the City Manager on municipal operations, strategic priorities, organizational challenges, and service delivery.
• Represents the City Manager at meetings, events, and internal or external functions as assigned.
• Acts as City Manager in their absence or when delegated authority.
• Supports implementation of City Council goals and ensures alignment of departmental activities with policy direction.
• Assists the City Manager in identifying organizational needs, service gaps, and improvement opportunities.
2. Department Oversight & Operational Coordination
• Provides oversight and support to departments, ensuring operational consistency, accountability, and follow-through.
• Facilitates collaboration across departments to improve internal processes, clarify responsibilities, and resolve service delivery issues.
• Helps ensure that departmental goals, practices, and procedures align with organizational priorities and expectations.
• Reviews and evaluates administrative procedures; recommends improvements to increase efficiency and standardization.
3. Budget, Grant & Financial Support
• Works with the Finance Director and supports the City Manager in preparing the annual operating budget and capital improvement program.
• Oversees or assists with management of special projects, grants, or funding initiatives requiring cross-department coordination.
• Prepares or reviews financial reports, policy analyses, and presentations for the City Manager and City Council.
4. Organizational Culture, Workforce Climate & Communication
• Works with the City Manager and Human Resources Director to strengthen organizational culture, communication practices, and supervisory effectiveness.
• Supports citywide morale and engagement initiatives, fostering collaboration and a professional, inclusive workplace.
• Helps ensure consistent interpretation and application of policies and organizational expectations by managers and supervisors.
• Assists with internal communication planning to ensure employees receive timely and accurate information about City initiatives, updates, and changes.
5. Policy Development, Research & Governance Support
• Conducts research, benchmarking, and operational analysis to inform policy or administrative recommendations.
• Drafts or reviews policies, ordinances, administrative regulations, and Council materials as directed by the City Manager.
• Supports City Council committees or advisory groups by preparing agendas, materials, background information, and follow-up items. Serves as staff liaison to the Policy Committee.
• Assists with strategic planning, organizational studies, workflow analysis, and service evaluations.
6. Economic Development, External Relations & Intergovernmental Engagement
• Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with community stakeholders, business leaders, developers, nonprofits, and state/regional agencies to advance the City’s goals and improve public engagement.

• Represents the City in meetings with community organizations, regional partners, state agencies, and other municipalities.
• Promotes the City of Biddeford as a top destination for living, working, and investment by engaging in public meetings, regional forums, and industry events, while ensuring messaging aligns with the City’s strategic plan and economic development goals.
• Assists the City Manager in negotiating contracts and joint development agreements, including those involving tax increment financing (TIF) and credit enhancement agreements (CEA), to support strategic economic development initiatives.
• Manages requests related to the City’s tax acquired properties and conservation easements in collaboration with the City Treasurer.
7. Additional Duties
• Performs other duties as required or assigned to support the efficient and effective functioning of City government.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Political Science, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Master’s degree in public administration or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible municipal or public-sector leadership experience, including management or department head responsibilities.
• Experience working with elected officials, department heads, community stakeholders, and the public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of municipal management and public administration.
• Budget development, financial analysis, and capital planning.
• Organizational development, change management, and performance evaluation.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies applicable to municipal operations.
Skill in:
• Strategic analysis, problem-solving, and identifying operational improvements.
• Managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment.
• Preparing clear, concise written reports, presentations, and communication materials.
• Facilitating collaboration and building effective working relationships.
Ability to:
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and political acumen in decision-making.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with diverse audiences.
• Provide leadership that upholds accountability, transparency, and organizational values.
• Adapt to evolving priorities and navigate complex organizational challenges.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Valid driver’s license.
• Availability to attend evening meetings and occasional weekend events.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Biddeford’s mission is to cultivate and sustain a diverse, inclusive, equitable, welcoming, and belonging-based workplace where employees actively practice solidarity for the greater good of the work environment and employee experience.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the City of Biddeford shall employ, develop, and work to maintain the best qualified person(s) available without discrimination to: age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, dimensions of gender, disability, citizenship, veterans’ status, ancestry, national origin, and/or political affiliation or any other status protected by law.

Equitable access to services and employment is available and those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for this application and/or the interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at 207.286.0593.

Salary: $120,000 – 157,000

Benefits:
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off- sick, vacation, personal and holidays
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Remote work opportunities
• Retirement plans w/ employer match
• Maine State pension program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In-person

We will begin reviewing applications on January 26th and the position will remain open until filled.