Town Manager - Town of Granby, CT

Town Manager, Granby, CT (pop. 11,375) The Town of Granby is seeking an engaging and experienced Town Manager to lead our vibrant community. The successful candidate will be a dedicated and innovative leader with a proven commitment to public service.

Granby is a small, tight-knit, rural, residential community, known for its beautiful landscapes, preserved open space, excellent public school system and a strong sense of community. The Town’s dense woodlands, open farmland and abundant hiking trails make it the perfect place for outdoor activities and enjoying nature. Granby covers 40.8 square miles, much of which is open space and forests that are home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and numerous species of birds.  Residents and visitors alike enjoy beautifully managed areas such as Enders State Forest, McLean Game Refuge, Holcomb Farm and Tree Trail, Salmon Brook Park, Mary Edwards Land Trust and the Godard Preserve. 

The town offers a unique blend of small-town New England charm and access to major cities making it an attractive place to live for those seeking a balance between a rural lifestyle and proximity to larger cities and cultural attractions, employment opportunities and services. Granby is in northern Hartford County, just south of the Massachusetts border; 13 miles north of Hartford, 19 miles south of Springfield, 115 miles from Boston, and 135 miles from New York City.  It is bordered by the Connecticut towns of Suffield, East Granby, Canton, Barkhamsted, Hartland and Simsbury, as well as Southwick, Massachusetts. It is also conveniently located just six miles to the west of Bradley International Airport and 9 miles to the west of Interstate 91. 

The Town of Granby is committed to responsible growth and fiscal stability, preserving its natural beauty and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. There is a strong sense of volunteerism in the town and residents have a true love for, and loyalty to, the community. Residents are very generous with their time and talents, contributing countless hours to municipal and community service. The town government has a reputation for its professional and nonpartisan approach to conducting Town business. Granby is a welcoming and supportive community. 

Since 1960, the Granby Charter provides that the community shall operate under the Selectmen/Town Manager form of government. The Board of Selectmen consists of a First Selectman and four members who serve as the town’s elected legislative body. 

The Town Manager is appointed by the Board to serve as the Chief Executive Officer, with responsibility for preparing the annual budget, financial management, and providing organizational direction to town departments. This position also performs other duties prescribed in the Charter or assigned by the Board of Selecmen. The Town Manager operates with integrity, abiding by the highest standards of ethical behavior.

Candidates should possess the following abilities and traits:

• Demonstrated experience working effectively with an elected governing body and volunteer elected and appointed boards, commissions, and committees.  
• A strong public sector financial background, understanding municipal revenue sources and their impact on municipal budgets and taxpayers. 
• Experience with long-range capital improvement planning, management, and financing, including state and federal grant programs.
• Experience in: Affordable housing experience, intergovernmental and nonprofit partnerships, and environmentally and financially sustainable development.      
• Experience working in a similar full-service town overseeing financial management, public safety, public works, town clerk, human resources management (including collective bargaining), community planning, library, recreation management, senior  youth and other support services.     
• Strong written and oral communication skills in dealing with the entire community, using a variety of approaches, including social media and local media tools.      
• Commitment and proven ability to retain and attract high-performing, diverse staff at all levels and to take an active interest in the work that is being performed.         
• A leader with a proven record of working collaboratively and effectively with business and community leaders, municipal staff, residents, community and not-for-profit organizations to move projects forward and to achieve goals established by the Town’s budget, strategic plan and other planning documents.       

The successful candidate will have a combination of education and experience as follows:

• Progressive management experience, preferably in the public sector as a city/town manager, department head or administrator; in an organization of comparable size and complexity; and three to five years of leadership experience and considerable exposure to public personnel and financial administration.    
• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, finance, public policy, or a closely related field.
• The following credentials are a plus: Membership in the ICMA and/or state municipal management association and adherence to their codes of ethics; designation as an ICMA credentialed manager or comparable certification; experience in human resources, economic development and/or finance.
• The Town will consider a combination of education and experience that allows for successful performance in this role. 

The Town of Granby offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package for the Town Manager position.  The starting annual salary is $140,000 to $180,000 +/- depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and five professional references with contact information online at www.GovHRjobs.com by December 8, 2023. Questions may be directed to Michael Jaillet, Vice President, GOVHRUSA at 781-760-3658. Granby is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is actively seeking a diverse applicant pool.