City of Wayzata
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City Manager
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City of Wayzata
Applications are accepted through the end of the day on January 4, 2026. Interested candidates should apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with resume, cover letter and contact information for five professional references. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Pam Dmytrenko, Tel: (612) 747-7714 or Ellen Hiniker, Tel: (651) 338-0531, MGT Approved Independent Executive Recruiters. Interviews with the City of Wayzata are anticipated for mid-February 2026. The City of Wayzata, MN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Base pay range $142,978.00/yr – $182,485.00/yr
The City of Wayzata, MN (pop. 4,363) is a vibrant lakeside community just 11 miles west of Minneapolis, seeking a strategic, collaborative, and responsive leader to serve as its next City Manager. Situated along the northern shoreline of Lake Minnetonka and adjacent to two major regional multi-use trails, Wayzata offers an exceptional quality of life supported by robust amenities, strong civic engagement, and well-maintained public assets.
The City of Wayzata is a home‑rule charter city operating under the council‑manager form of government. The mayor and four‑member city council appoint the city manager, who serves as the chief administrative officer for the city and oversees all daily operations of Administrative Services, Community Development, Fire, Police, Public Works, Wine & Spirits, and the Bar & Grill. There are 176 staff, growing to approximately 200–210 with seasonal employees and staff at the Bar & Grill; this workforce is represented by three collective bargaining units.
The Administrative Services Department, led by the Deputy City Manager, includes Finance, Human Resources, Communications, and Motor Vehicle services. The Fire Department operates as a fully paid‑on‑call department with 27 members.
The city maintains a strong financial position with a proposed 2026 general fund budget of $9.18 million, all funds totaling $24.03 million. The city maintains “AAA” ratings by S&P Global Ratings (S&P).
Candidate Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration or related field; master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 7 years of public sector or non‑profit administrative and managerial experience.
Minimum of 4 years as a city manager or administrator or as an assistant in a larger community.
Strong fiscal background including management of complex, multimillion‑dollar budgets, long‑term financial planning, and capital improvement budgets.
Exceptional communication skills.
Desired Experience and Traits
Experience in redevelopment, strategic planning and enterprise funds.
Forward‑thinking with the ability to anticipate community needs and emerging trends.
Adept at navigating a highly engaged community; responsive and accessible.
Proven capacity to foster positive, collaborative relationships with the city council, staff and key stakeholders.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The 2025 salary range is $142,978 – $182,485 (salary range is under review – city is engaging in a class and comp study to be completed in 2026). The City of Wayzata provides a comprehensive benefits package including city contribution to a defined benefit plan (PERA), medical insurance, life insurance, sick and vacation accruals. Voluntary benefits include long‑ and short‑term disability, dental, vision, supplemental life and 457 and tuition reimbursement. Residency is not required.
Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Management
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
City Manager
role at
City of Wayzata
Applications are accepted through the end of the day on January 4, 2026. Interested candidates should apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with resume, cover letter and contact information for five professional references. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Pam Dmytrenko, Tel: (612) 747-7714 or Ellen Hiniker, Tel: (651) 338-0531, MGT Approved Independent Executive Recruiters. Interviews with the City of Wayzata are anticipated for mid-February 2026. The City of Wayzata, MN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Base pay range $142,978.00/yr – $182,485.00/yr
The City of Wayzata, MN (pop. 4,363) is a vibrant lakeside community just 11 miles west of Minneapolis, seeking a strategic, collaborative, and responsive leader to serve as its next City Manager. Situated along the northern shoreline of Lake Minnetonka and adjacent to two major regional multi-use trails, Wayzata offers an exceptional quality of life supported by robust amenities, strong civic engagement, and well-maintained public assets.
The City of Wayzata is a home‑rule charter city operating under the council‑manager form of government. The mayor and four‑member city council appoint the city manager, who serves as the chief administrative officer for the city and oversees all daily operations of Administrative Services, Community Development, Fire, Police, Public Works, Wine & Spirits, and the Bar & Grill. There are 176 staff, growing to approximately 200–210 with seasonal employees and staff at the Bar & Grill; this workforce is represented by three collective bargaining units.
The Administrative Services Department, led by the Deputy City Manager, includes Finance, Human Resources, Communications, and Motor Vehicle services. The Fire Department operates as a fully paid‑on‑call department with 27 members.
The city maintains a strong financial position with a proposed 2026 general fund budget of $9.18 million, all funds totaling $24.03 million. The city maintains “AAA” ratings by S&P Global Ratings (S&P).
Candidate Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration or related field; master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 7 years of public sector or non‑profit administrative and managerial experience.
Minimum of 4 years as a city manager or administrator or as an assistant in a larger community.
Strong fiscal background including management of complex, multimillion‑dollar budgets, long‑term financial planning, and capital improvement budgets.
Exceptional communication skills.
Desired Experience and Traits
Experience in redevelopment, strategic planning and enterprise funds.
Forward‑thinking with the ability to anticipate community needs and emerging trends.
Adept at navigating a highly engaged community; responsive and accessible.
Proven capacity to foster positive, collaborative relationships with the city council, staff and key stakeholders.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The 2025 salary range is $142,978 – $182,485 (salary range is under review – city is engaging in a class and comp study to be completed in 2026). The City of Wayzata provides a comprehensive benefits package including city contribution to a defined benefit plan (PERA), medical insurance, life insurance, sick and vacation accruals. Voluntary benefits include long‑ and short‑term disability, dental, vision, supplemental life and 457 and tuition reimbursement. Residency is not required.
Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Management
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr