TOWN OF MORRISON, COLORADO
TOWN MANAGER
Executive Recruitment Profile

Strategic leadership. Responsive service. Thoughtful stewardship of a distinctive foothills community.
REPORTS TO DEPARTMENT EMPLOYMENT SALARY RANGE
Mayor and Board of Trustees Administration Regular Full-Time; FLSA Exempt $138,000-$205,000

The Community
Nestled at the gateway to Colorado’s foothills west of Denver, the Town of Morrison offers the character and accessibility of a small community while managing a uniquely complex municipal environment. The Town’s size creates the opportunity for a Town Manager to have a visible impact on residents, businesses, employees, and community partners.
The Opportunity
The Town of Morrison is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and hands-on local government professional to serve as its next Town Manager. Appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees, the Town Manager is the Town’s chief administrative officer and is responsible for translating Board direction into effective operations, sound policy implementation, and high-quality public service.
Position Overview
Under the general direction of the Mayor and Board of Trustees, the Town Manager plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the Town’s administrative and operational functions. The Manager provides objective professional advice to the Board; leads staff and contractors; oversees the implementation of policies, budgets, agreements, and capital priorities; and promotes consistency, transparency, accountability, and excellent customer service throughout the organization.
As a small organization with broad responsibilities, the successful candidate must be equally comfortable operating at the executive level and working directly on complex day-to-day matters. The position requires sound judgment, strong follow-through, political acumen, and the ability to build trust with elected officials, employees, residents, businesses, and regional partners.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The following responsibilities describe the principal functions of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. The Town Manager may be assigned other duties consistent with the role and the needs of the Town.
GOVERNANCE, POLICY, AND BOARD SUPPORT
• Attend all regular and special meetings and work sessions of the Board of Trustees; provide professional advice on matters before the Board and ensure appropriate staff support and follow-up.
• Assist the Mayor and Board in developing meeting agendas, strategic priorities, long-range plans, annual work programs, and policy initiatives.
• Research policy issues and Board requests; present clear options, operational considerations, fiscal impacts, legal considerations, and recommended courses of action.
• Implement the goals, policies, ordinances, resolutions, agreements, and directives adopted by the Board of Trustees.
• Work closely with the Town Attorney to support legally sound decision-making, draft or review agreements and policy documents, and manage legal matters affecting the Town.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
• Serve as the Town’s chief administrative officer and Personnel Officer; direct the daily administration of Town programs, services, and facilities in accordance with Board policy and applicable requirements.
• Lead, supervise, coach, and evaluate department heads and assigned employees; establish performance expectations and support a respectful, accountable, and collaborative workplace culture.
• Coordinate the work of professional consultants and contracted service providers, including legal, engineering, planning, building, auditing, financial, and other specialized services.
• Administer personnel policies and practices, including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, compensation recommendations, training, and organizational development.
• Develop and improve administrative systems, standard operating procedures, internal controls, records, workflows, and service standards to promote consistency and efficiency.
• Manage Town operations and maintain effective coordination among departments, employees, elected officials, consultants, and service partners.
• Remain available for evening meetings, urgent operational issues, and other responsibilities outside normal business hours when required.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, PROCUREMENT, AND GRANTS
• Direct the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the annual budget and multi-year financial plans in alignment with Board goals and the Town’s financial policies.
• Provide the Board with understandable financial information, forecasts, alternatives, and recommendations; identify emerging risks and corrective actions.
• Authorize expenditures within delegated authority and ensure that public funds are used lawfully, efficiently, and for approved purposes.
• Serve as the Town’s Purchasing Agent; oversee competitive procurement, major purchases, requests for proposals, contract negotiations, and vendor performance.
• Negotiate and administer contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and professional service agreements, including engineering, architectural, legal, financial, planning, and construction-related services.
• Coordinate grant strategy, applications, compliance schedules, permits, reporting, and closeout; delegate grant administration to appropriate staff while maintaining executive oversight.
LAND USE, DEVELOPMENT, AND REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION
• Coordinate development review, building permit, zoning, code enforcement, and related regulatory processes with staff, the Town Planner, the Building Official, Town Engineer, and other consultants.
• Ensure that land use applications and quasi-judicial matters are processed consistently, transparently, and in accordance with the Town’s Municipal Code and adopted plans and policies.
• Support long-range planning, responsible development, economic vitality, and protection of Morrison’s community character.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS
• Provide executive oversight of public works, and other municipal infrastructure functions.
• Develop and maintain capital improvement priorities, project schedules, funding strategies, and regular progress reporting for the Board and community.
• Coordinate engineers, contractors, consultants, regulators, utility providers, and partner agencies to advance projects and resolve technical or operational issues.
• Support responsible management of the Town’s water and wastewater systems and associated rights, assets, permits, compliance obligations, and long-range needs.
• Ensure that contracts, permits, project documentation, public communications, and fiscal controls are appropriately managed throughout the life of each project.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS
• Investigate and help resolve complaints and concerns; identify practical solutions and communicate decisions, limitations, and next steps clearly.
• Represent the Town, as directed, in meetings with local, regional, state, and federal agencies; neighboring jurisdictions; special districts; nonprofit organizations; business groups; and other partners.
• Develop partnerships, intergovernmental solutions, shared-service arrangements, and regional initiatives that improve services or advance Town priorities.
• Support economic development strategies that strengthen the local economy, and encourage appropriate revenue-generating activity.
• Coordinate public information and community engagement regarding major projects, policies, service changes, emergencies, and other matters of public interest.
• Promote a positive regional reputation for the Town and ensure that Morrison’s interests are effectively represented.
PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
• Maintain current knowledge of municipal management practices, legislation, regulatory requirements, and emerging issues affecting local government.
• Participate in relevant professional organizations, training, conferences, and peer networks; encourage professional development throughout the organization.
• Model ethical conduct, impartiality, professionalism, accountability, respect, and commitment to public service.

The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will be an experienced local government leader who understands that credibility is built through competence, consistency, honesty, and follow-through. Morrison’s Town Manager must be able to work effectively in a highly visible environment, navigate competing perspectives, communicate difficult information with tact, and keep the organization focused on the Board’s collective priorities.
Strategic and Hands-On
Sees the big picture while remaining willing and able to manage details, solve problems, and move work forward. Politically Astute and Nonpartisan
Understands governance roles, reads complex situations well, and provides candid professional advice without becoming political.
Solutions-Oriented
Maintains perspective under pressure, manages conflict constructively, and focuses on practical, lawful, and sustainable solutions. Supportive and Accountable Leader
Values employees, sets clear expectations, addresses problems directly, and creates the conditions for people to succeed.

 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Thorough knowledge of municipal administration, organizational leadership, public policy implementation, and the roles of elected officials and professional staff.
• Strong working knowledge of budgeting, financial management, procurement, contracts, grants, internal controls, audits, and long-range planning.
• Knowledge of land use and development review, including quasi-judicial processes, zoning administration, building and code-enforcement coordination, and community planning.
• Knowledge of public works, capital project delivery, water and wastewater operations, and water-rights issues; experience with both senior and junior water rights is desirable.
• Ability to manage complex projects and multiple priorities, establish realistic work plans, monitor performance, and deliver results within time and resource constraints.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, identify alternatives, assess legal and fiscal implications, and present concise, well-supported recommendations.
• Ability to negotiate and administer contracts and intergovernmental agreements and to hold consultants, contractors, and service providers accountable for performance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, public presentation, facilitation, conflict-resolution, and customer-service skills.
• High degree of integrity, emotional intelligence, discretion, adaptability, resilience, and commitment to transparent public service.
Education and Experience
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree in public administration, public affairs, business administration, or closely related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in local government, public administration, or a closely related field, including a minimum of three years in municipal administration, finance, planning, operations, public works, or a similar area.
• Experience sufficient to understand and coordinate the diverse objectives and functions of municipal departments and contracted services, including planning, organizing, staffing, budgeting, implementation, evaluation, and reporting.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Three or more years of experience as a city/town manager, county administrator, deputy or assistant manager, or comparable local government executive.
• Professional involvement with ICMA and demonstrated commitment to continued professional development are preferred. ICMA Credentialed Manager designation or progress toward credentialing is desirable.
• Significant experience with land use and development matters involving quasi-judicial processes.
• Experience with water, wastewater, utility management, and water rights.
• Experience managing capital projects, professional service contracts, grants, and intergovernmental partnerships.
Compensation and Benefits
The Town of Morrison offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support the professional and personal well-being of its employees.
$138,000-$205,000
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE • Retirement plan with a 3% Town match
• 100% employer-paid health coverage for the employee • Annual vacation and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays
The Town offers a salary range of $138,000–$205,000. The final starting salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, and overall fit with the Town’s needs. While the full range is provided for transparency, the Town anticipates making an appointment below the upper end of the range.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
Work is performed primarily in an office and public-meeting environment, with periodic visits to Town facilities, project sites, and locations throughout the community. The position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, see, read, prepare and handle documents, use standard office technology, participate in meetings in person and remotely, remember schedules and Board direction, and travel locally as needed. Evening meetings and occasional work outside normal business hours are required.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, comprehensive résumé, and professional references. The cover letter or résumé should specifically address experience with: (1) government administration; (2) negotiating and administering contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and professional service agreements; and (3) water, wastewater, and water rights.
Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and professional references will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for the position.
SUBMIT TO Town Clerk, Courtney Christensen
EMAIL cchristensen@morrisonco.us
MAILING ADDRESS 321 Highway 8, Morrison, CO 80465
APPLICATION DEADLINE Friday, August 28, 2026

Equal Employment Opportunity. The Town of Morrison is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants. This profile is not an employment contract and may be revised as organizational n