County Manager, McDowell County, NC

Starting salary will be competitive, and negotiable based upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The County has a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and life insurance, accrued sick and vacation leave.

McDowell County, North Carolina, is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next County Manager. This is an opportunity for a dedicated public servant to lead county operations, partner with elected officials, support employees, and help guide the long-term financial strength and vitality of a growing community.

The ideal candidate will bring strong financial and personnel management skills, a commitment to transparent and ethical leadership, and the ability to translate the Board of Commissioners’ goals into effective policies, programs, and services. McDowell County seeks a leader who values collaboration, develops employees, fosters public trust, and delivers responsive, high-quality services to the community.

McDowell County operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The Board of Commissioners consists of five members elected at-large to staggered four-year terms. The County serves approximately 45,000 residents and employs 395 full-time employees.

The County’s FY2027 adopted General Fund budget is nearly $71 million. The County Manager’s Office provides executive oversight of 18 County departments, programs, and operations, including a water utility system.

The County Manager serves as the County’s chief executive officer, is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners, and is responsible for implementing Board-adopted policies, ordinances, and directives. The position provides leadership and coordination across County government to support effective operations, responsible stewardship of public resources, and the delivery of services to residents.

McDowell County seeks a dynamic, approachable, and results-oriented County Manager who can build strong working relationships with elected officials, employees, community partners, and the public.

The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to lead complex organizational operations while balancing immediate service needs with long-term community priorities.

Key areas of leadership include:

• Financial Management and Budget Development: Provide sound fiscal oversight, guide budget development, and promote responsible stewardship of County resources to maintain and strengthen the County’s financial position.

• Personnel and Organizational Leadership: Lead and support County departments, develop and mentor employees, foster accountability, and promote a positive organizational culture focused on performance and service.

• Strategic and Long-Range Planning: Translate the Board of Commissioners’ goals and directives into actionable plans, policies, and initiatives that advance the County’s priorities and long-term success.

• Operational Effectiveness: Oversee day-to-day County operations, identify opportunities for process improvement, and encourage innovative approaches to service delivery.

• Communication and Collaboration: Maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department leaders, employees, and community stakeholders through clear communication, collaboration, and transparency.

• Ethical Governance and Public Service: Demonstrate integrity, sound judgment, accountability, and a commitment to serving the public interest.

(a)The manager is the chief administrator of county government. The manager is responsible to the board of commissioners for the administration of all departments of county government under the board's general control and has the following powers and duties:
(1) He shall appoint with the approval of the board of commissioners and suspend or remove all county officers, employees, and agents except those who are elected by the people or whose appointment is otherwise provided for by law. The board may by resolution permit the manager to appoint officers, employees, and agents without first securing the board's approval. The manager shall make his appointments, suspensions, and removals in accordance with any general personnel rules, regulations, policies, or ordinances that the board may adopt. The board may require the manager to report each suspension or removal to the board at the board's first regular meeting following the suspension or removal; and, if the board has permitted the manager to make appointments without board approval, the board may require the manager to report each appointment to the board at the board's first regular meeting following the appointment.
(2) He shall direct and supervise the administration of all county offices, departments, boards, commissions and agencies under the general control of the board of commissioners, subject to the general direction and control of the board.
(3) He shall attend all meetings of the board of commissioners and recommend any measures that he considers expedient.
(4) He shall see that the orders, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations of the board of commissioners are faithfully executed within the county.
(5) He shall prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the board of commissioners.
(6) He shall annually submit to the board of commissioners and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the county as of the end of the fiscal year.
(7) He shall make any other reports that the board of commissioners may require concerning the operations of county offices, departments, boards, commissions, and agencies.
(8) He shall perform any other duties that may be required or authorized by the board of commissioners.
(9) The manager shall receive a minimum of six clock hours of education upon the occurrence, or within six months of the occurrence, of any of the following:

(a) The Local Government Commission is exercising its authority under Article 11 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes with respect to the county.
(b) The county has received a letter from the Local Government Commission due to a deficiency in complying with Chapter 159 of the General Statutes.
(c) The county has an internal control material weakness or significant deficiency in the most recently completed financial audit.
(d) The county is included on the most recently published Unit Assistance List issued by the Department of State Treasurer.

(b) The education required by subdivision (9) of subsection (a) of this section shall incorporate fiscal management and the requirements of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes. The education may be provided by the Local Government Commission, the School of Government at the University of North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, or other qualified sources at the choice of the governing board and upon the prior approval of the Local Government Commission. The clerk to the governing board shall maintain a record verifying receipt of the education by the manager and shall provide this information, upon request, to the Secretary of the Local Government Commission. (1927, c. 91, ss. 6, 7; 1973, c. 822, s. 1; 2021-124, s. 3; 2025-19, s. 6.1(a).)

G.S. 153A-82

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

• Five to ten years of local government experience managing multiple programs or departments, personnel, and budgets.

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

• Thorough knowledge of county government operations and a strong understanding of applicable local, state, and federal laws.

• Demonstrated leadership, communication, fiscal management, and organizational skills.

• Commitment to ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, and public service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance, or a related field.

• Membership in the North Carolina City and County Management Association and/or the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

• ICMA Credentialed Manager status.

Special Requirements

Direct experience in grants management and economic development will be considered an asset.

The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of county government operations, including applicable methods, procedures, and policies, as well as a strong knowledge of local, state, and federal laws. Candidates must be able to develop, evaluate, and communicate proposals and initiatives that improve the effectiveness of County government.

McDowell County seeks a leader who values public trust, promotes excellent customer service, motivates and mentors staff, and demonstrates the highest ethical standards.

Residency in McDowell County will be required as a condition of employment.

Conditions of Employment

An offer of employment with McDowell County Government is contingent upon the successful completion of required pre-employment screenings, including background checks, drug screening, and any other applicable employment-related requirements. Employment may be denied or an offer rescinded if required screenings or conditions are not satisfactorily completed, consistent with applicable law and County policy.

Please visit https:www.governmentjobs.com/careers/McDowellCounty, and click on the County Manager, McDowell County, NC title.

• If you have accessed this position from within the Government Jobs portal, simply hit the green "Apply" button in the upper-right corner to begin your application.

• Important: All applications must be submitted online via the GovernmentJobs portal link above – NOT the County’s employment application portal or any other external website. Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.

• Application Deadline: Initial review of applications will be conducted December 1st through 11th to select initial applicants to be interviewed. Interested parties are encouraged to apply now.

• Questions? Direct all inquiries to Anna Lee, McDowell County Human Resources Director at anna.lee@mcdowellnc.gov

How to Apply

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING AND BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED

APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN CREDIT ONLY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. No additional information will be solicited by the McDowell County; therefore, persons who submit incomplete applications may not receive full credit for their education, training and experience.

McDowell County is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the County to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, political affiliation or national origin. The County will interactively work with disabled applicants and employees to identify reasonable accommodations that will allow the individual to perform essential job functions.

McDowell County participates in E-Verify.

Applications are available:

• on our website:

www.mcdowellhrportal.org- under “Job Opportunities”

• McDowell County Administration Building:

25 W Fort Street Marion, NC 28752

Applications can be submitted:

• Online at

• in person at the County Administration building:

25 W Fort Street Marion, NC 28752

• or by Mail to:

McDowell County Human Resources

60 East Court Street Marion, NC 28752

• or by email to:

employment@mcdowellgov.com