County Manager

Job Description The County Manager helps turn County Council's vision into services and investments that make a difference in residents' daily lives. As York County's chief administrative leader, the Manager guides daily operations, supports employees, and connects Council's priorities with responsible financial management, thoughtful capital planning, and responsive public service. The role includes advising Council, preparing and administering operating and capital budgets, carrying out approved policies and directives, and building relationships with municipalities, public agencies, community organizations, businesses, external stakeholders, and residents.
For the next Manager, this is an opportunity to build on York County's strengths while helping the organization navigate an important period of growth and renewal. Rapid development, infrastructure and service demands, leadership vacancies, and differing views on growth will call for careful listening, clear priorities, and steady follow-through. Capable employees, established strategic priorities, improving municipal relationships, quality-of-life assets, and regional connections provide a foundation for strengthening organizational confidence and shaping the County's future alongside Council and the community.
Reporting Relationship: Appointed by and accountable to York County Council.
Total Employees: 1420
FY 2026 Budget: $185.2M General Fund; $550M Total Budget
Residency Requirement: The County Manager must be a resident of York County pursuant to County Code.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
York County seeks an experienced local-government leader who is ready to invest in the community, build lasting relationships, and help guide the County through a period of organizational renewal and continued growth. The ideal candidate will lead by listening, take time to understand what matters to residents and employees, and build trust with every member of County Council. With sound judgment and professional independence, this leader will offer candid, fact-based advice, respect differing perspectives, and carry out lawful Council decisions while honoring the distinct roles of governance and administration.
The next Manager will bring broad local-government experience and the ability to connect day-to-day decisions with the County's long-term needs. A strong foundation in finance, capital planning, infrastructure, utilities, growth management, personnel leadership, policy implementation, procurement, and public accountability will be important. Experience serving a growing community with both urbanizing and rural areas will be especially valuable. This leader will help Council and the community understand how land-use and service decisions relate to infrastructure capacity, multi-year financial forecasts, responsible funding options, and measurable results.
Just as important is a genuine commitment to the people who serve York County. The next Manager will be an accessible, supportive leader who recognizes employees' contributions, invests in their development, and gives them clear expectations and the authority to succeed. This includes thoughtfully assessing leadership and departmental needs, retaining and developing talent, filling critical vacancies, and addressing performance or structural concerns when needed. In the organization and throughout the community, the Manager will listen respectfully, explain complex issues clearly, and bring steady judgment to challenging conversations and public scrutiny.
Above all, York County seeks a leader who pairs integrity and humility with the confidence to make thoughtful decisions and follow through. The ideal candidate will welcome different perspectives, approach challenges with both care and resolve, and remain focused on practical results. For someone ready to make a long-term commitment to the community, this role offers the opportunity to strengthen the organization, support thoughtful growth, and build lasting public confidence through accountable leadership and responsive service.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Council Relations, Governance, and Policy Implementation

• Advise Council on County affairs, emerging issues, and organizational needs through factual analysis, candid recommendations, and equitable communication that respects governance and administration boundaries.
• Attend Council meetings and coordinate agendas, notices, materials, and records to support informed policy decisions.
• Implement approved policies, ordinances, resolutions, programs, and directives; perform other duties assigned through the chairperson or established by ordinance or resolution.

Executive Leadership and County Operations

• Direct departments, offices, agencies, and services under Council jurisdiction through department leaders, coordinating work, resolving cross-departmental issues, and setting consistent standards.
• Translate short- and long-term priorities into actionable plans with clear ownership, milestones, and measures of progress.
• Review operations, accounts, records, and personnel practices; recommend improvements, safeguard County property, and maintain accountability to Council.

Financial Management, Budgeting, and Capital Planning

• Prepare and administer operating and capital budgets, aligning multi-year plans and investments in facilities, equipment, vehicles, construction, and technology with County priorities and responsible funding strategies.
• Advise Council on financial conditions, risks, and resource needs; provide required financial and operational reports and evaluate revenue, reserve, debt, and other funding options.

Growth, Infrastructure, Utilities, and Service Capacity

• Align land use and development with infrastructure capacity and service needs, helping Council balance property rights, rural and agricultural character, green space, affordability, and geographic priorities.
• Coordinate water and sewer, transportation, fire/EMS, facilities, and other capital planning; prioritize rehabilitation and expansion with disciplined project sequencing, procurement, contractor oversight, and delivery.

Talent, Culture, and Organizational Accountability

• Lead personnel administration under Council jurisdiction, including hiring, supervision, evaluation, development, discipline, and dismissal, consistent with law and policy; oversee compensation, benefits, employee relations, training, and safety.
• Assess departmental capacity, fill critical vacancies, develop and retain talent, and strengthen employee confidence through clear expectations, delegation, open communication, and follow-through.
• Promote equitable access to County facilities and programs.

Procurement, Compliance, Records, and Administrative Stewardship

• Ensure purchasing delivers value through competitive bidding and compliance with the procurement ordinance; stay informed on legislation, practices, and technology affecting County operations.
• Safeguard the corporate seal and Council records; support execution and recording of legal instruments as assigned; manage official correspondence and prepare reports, policies, procedures, and presentations for Council and its chairperson.

Community, Intergovernmental, and External Relations

• Represent the County in public and regional forums and build partnerships with municipalities, schools, public-safety agencies, government officials, boards, regional organizations, civic and business groups, media, and residents.
• Respond thoughtfully to public inquiries and concerns, explaining priorities, decisions, constraints, and trade-offs clearly to strengthen public understanding and confidence.

LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
Build trust and clarify governance: Establish productive relationships with all Council members, define communication practices and decision rights, and reinforce appropriate governance-administration boundaries.
Stabilize and strengthen the organization: Assess leadership and departmental capacity, address vacancies and gaps, retain strong talent, and improve accountability, delegation, employee confidence, and retention.
Advance disciplined growth management: Evaluate planning leadership, ordinances, staffing, and processes, and better align land-use decisions with infrastructure capacity and community character.
Create an integrated infrastructure and financial roadmap: Connect near- and long-range forecasts to priorities for utilities, roads, fire/EMS, facilities, and other capital needs, supported by responsible funding strategies.
Strengthen utilities and capital execution: Understand the condition and obligations of the water and sewer system, prioritize rehabilitation and capacity needs, and improve project governance and delivery.
Improve communication and public confidence: Provide clear, credible, audience-centered information to residents, employees, municipalities, partners, and Council.
Sustain strategy and measurable execution: Refine priorities with Council, assign ownership, track milestones, report results, and take corrective action when needed.
Reinforce external partnerships: Deepen productive relationships across municipalities, schools, public-safety partners, the state delegation, regional organizations, civic groups, and the business community.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Master's degree in public administration, management . click apply for full job details