City Manager Recruitment

As Washington’s third-largest city, Tacoma is searching for an experienced and visionary leader who will partner with our community and City Council as the next City Manager. Appointed by and reporting directly to the Mayor and eight City Council Members, the City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the City and is the sole employee of the Council. This is a rare opportunity to lead a dynamic, full-service city that serves more than 220,000 residents and manages a biennial budget of $4.7 billion, including a $635 million General Fund.

The City Manager provides executive leadership and direction for all City departments and operations, including administrative functions that support Tacoma Public Utilities (Finance, Purchasing, Legal, and Human Resources).

The successful candidate will be a trusted partner to the Mayor and Council, guiding the implementation of policy priorities while ensuring equitable, efficient, and effective service delivery for the community. With oversight of more than 4,000 employees, the City Manager is responsible for strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, operational excellence, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who can bridge general government and utility operations, strengthen civic trust, and build effective teams that deliver results for the people of Tacoma.

City Council has formed a committee to oversee the development of the recruitment plan for the next City Manager. Tune in to watch the Operational Strategy and Administrative Committee (OSAC) meetings. These meetings take place the second and fourth Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m.

Coming soon: “What is a City Manager?” video

The City of Tacoma operates under a Council–Manager form of government. The City Council includes the Mayor, five district representatives, and three at-large representatives, all serving staggered four-year terms.

Appointed by the Council, the City Manager oversees the City’s day-to-day operations. With a population of approximately 222,000 residents, Tacoma is the second-largest city in the Puget Sound region and the third-largest municipality in Washington State. Tacoma is also the South Sound’s center of business activity, serving a regional population of nearly one million people.

The City provides a full range of municipal services through departments including: Community and Economic Development, Environmental Services, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Fire, Hearing Examiner, Neighborhood and Community Services, Planning and Development, Police, Public Works, Venues and Events, and Public Utilities.

Tacoma is a vibrant, growing community with a rich history and a strong commitment to civic engagement. The City offers a collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents.

Watch this video to find out what makes Tacoma a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work, and play.

Annual Salary Range: $309,566 – $376,500 (Depending on Qualifications)

Benefits include:

• • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents
  • Deferred compensation (IRS Section 457)
  • Personal Time Off, starting at 18 days per year (based on years of service)
  • Long-term disability insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Life insurance
  • Membership in the Tacoma Employees’ Retirement System (TERS)
  • 13 paid holidays per year, including two floating holidays