Town Manager

The Town Manager is the chief administrative official and serves as a representative of the town to its residents and businesses, at town events and government meetings, and to other jurisdictions. They are responsible for managing all town operations and are charged with motivating the entire town workforce to provide superior service to all town customers: residents, businesses, civic organizations and visitors, elected and appointed officials, and other town staff members. The Town Manager is also responsible for preparing the fiscal year budget, which serves as a short-, medium- and long-term planning document, and for recommending capital improvements projects and asset management.

The Town Manager is required to monitor and enforce Virginia local, county, and state government policies to effectively oversee daily town operations, and to ensure the town meets all relevant legal requirements. They address matters from the governing body, citizens, and staff with appropriate communication at all levels. The Town Manager directs and advises department heads on policy interpretation related to town activities, services, amenities, improvements, opportunities, and problems. They lead and assist key personnel in planning and executing special projects, and guide staff in developing, installing, executing, and evaluating new policies and procedures. The Town Manager serves as the final authority on staff-related decisions.

Leadership Opportunities

The Town Manager's role is leadership and cultural stewardship, requiring a visionary approach to managing growth, community engagement, and municipal operations. By demonstrating integrity, strategic thinking, and effective communication, the Town Manager fosters an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome and represented in culture, events, business, and daily life. This approach ensures Herndon remains a desirable and thriving place to live and work.

Organizational Management: The Town Manager will review the organizational structure with the goal of right-sizing departments to maintain high service levels and keep an eye on the future and plan for it.

Urban Development and Economic Growth: The Town Manager oversees Herndon’s urban development, balancing residential and commercial growth to sustain economic vitality. They work to strengthen local businesses, attract new development, and guide responsible growth in alignment with the town’s strategic and comprehensive plans and environmental sustainability goals. Redevelopment in Herndon’s downtown and the Town’s rebranding project are high priorities.

Data-Driven Decision Making: The Town Manager will support developing processes that utilize data to inform decisions and policies, and effectively and transparently communicate decisions and recommendations.

Technology Integration: Improve efficiency and service delivery by investing in and utilizing modern municipal management tools and technologies.

Desired Capabilities

The Town Manager role requires a strategic mindset, a business approach, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and political acumen. The ideal candidate must demonstrate ethical integrity and resilience, maintaining calm and focus during periods of rapid change or challenging situations. With a solutions-oriented mindset, they are adaptable and remain approachable to all stakeholders, even in the face of adversity. Additionally, the Town Manager must possess strong technical proficiency, particularly in analyzing data and applying evidence-based practices to inform policies and decisions. Familiarity with modern municipal management tools and technologies is essential to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery within the community. Specifically, the Town Manager demonstrates through their words and actions:

Integrity. They are honest, transparent, have strong moral principles, and conduct themselves ethically. They consistently do the right thing, even when it is difficult, or no one is watching.

A strategic mindset. The Town Manager navigates complex issues, while guiding the organization toward its goals. Their approach is objective, rational, collaborative and comprehensive, ensuring key stakeholders are engaged in the decision-making process. They actively seek opportunities to incorporate best practices and efficiencies into town operations, continuously identifying ways to enhance program and service delivery that align with the town’s vision and strategic plan.

Strong communicator. The Town Manager conveys their message clearly, deliberately, and consistently, is receptive to others, and inspires action. They are direct in their communication but also open to suggestions. They are comfortable in front of all audiences and can engage people and clearly articulate complex concepts.

Accountable. A strong sense of responsibility defines the Town Manager. The Town Manager builds trust, delineates responsibility, is impartial, and improves employee engagement through accountability. They understand that they are accountable to the community, elected officials, and the town workforce they serve. They take ownership for their decisions and actions and those performed on their behalf and can clearly justify and explain those decisions and actions and the results they achieved.

Approachable and empathetic. The Town Manager is a patient listener and collaborative problem-solver. They are approachable, address all inquiries, complaints, praise and recommendations carefully, considerately, and with a collaborative spirit.

A culture ambassador. The Town Manager collaborates at all levels of the organization, including the town employee workforce and elected officials, and is a model for engaged, respectful communication. They are apolitical, diplomatic and rational, with respect for and understanding of all town functions. They encourage employees’ initiative, empower employees’ decision-making, and publicly celebrate employees’ success. They prioritize professional competency-building and support, establishing a culture of coaching and development. They embrace inclusivity and set the tone for a healthy work-life balance. In short, the Town Manager is the town’s Chief Culture Officer, fostering an environment that makes the town a desirable, even enviable place to live, own a business, and build a career.

Community Engagement. The Town Manager works closely with the Mayor, Town Council, and community members to ensure that the needs and priorities of residents are reflected in decision-making. They are committed to inclusivity, ensuring that all voices are heard and represented.

Political Acumen. The Town Manager navigates local, regional, and state policies with a deep understanding of Virginia's Dillon Rule and its impact on local governance. They build and maintain strategic relationships with state and federal partners to advocate for Herndon’s interests, while remaining neutral and facilitating consensus among diverse viewpoints.

The Community

The Town of Herndon, Virginia, is the third largest town in the Commonwealth, blending small-town charm with the energy of a 21st-century business hub. Situated in the northwest quadrant of Fairfax County, approximately 23 miles west of Washington, D.C., and just two miles east of Washington Dulles International Airport, Herndon is part of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, accessible via Metrorail’s Silver Line. Incorporated in 1879, the town has grown from a rural dairy outpost to a thriving community of 24,167 residents (2022 U.S. Census estimate), with a comprehensive master plan projecting a population of 28,200 by 2030.

Amidst Northern Virginia’s high-rise and industrial landscape, Herndon retains its historic character and “sense of place.” The town is distinct with its historic downtown, complete with an authentic train depot and caboose, and a municipal center complex that includes a library and Town Green. Events held on the Town Green and throughout the downtown include concerts, children’s programs, a spring/summer concert series that attracts thousands each week, a 4th of July celebration, and “Herndon’s Hometown Holiday” events. The 45-mile Washington and Old Dominion Trail runs through the heart of downtown, and the Herndon Community Center, managed by the town’s four-time Gold Medal-winning Parks & Recreation Department, offers facilities for virtually every type of athletic pursuit. The Herndon Centennial Golf Course, operated as a town enterprise fund, is consistently ranked among Golf Digest’s “Places to Play.” Additionally, the town boasts 11 parks, which have contributed to Herndon earning the “Tree City USA” designation for 32 consecutive years.

The town is distinctive in the vast array of cultures represented among its residents. A full 37 percent of residents identify as Hispanic (July 2021 U.S. Census report), and sixteen percent are of Asian descent. A myriad of other countries and cultures from around the globe are represented in Herndon. This diversity is evident in the town’s businesses as well, with restaurants, shops and other commercial enterprises specializing in specific cultural experiences.

Businesses are drawn to Herndon for its highly qualified workforce, proximity to key transit hubs, and strategic location within the region’s high-tech corridor, creating a unique synergy that supports enterprises of all sizes. Herndon’s prime location in the Dulles Technology Corridor has resulted in a significant corporate presence that includes regional headquarters and businesses specializing in information technology, aerospace and defense, and cyber/software. The opening of the second phase of the Metrorail’s Silver Line in 2022, which includes a station stop in Herndon, has spurred strong redevelopment interest in the town. Planned redevelopment of existing commercial buildings at the town’s Metro stop, along with strategic planning for adjacent transit-related growth, envisions a vibrant commercial and residential hub that complements Herndon’s historic downtown area.

The Organization

Herndon is organized under the council/manager form of government. The Town Council, in its role as a governing body, formulates policies for the proper administration of the town. The mayor and six members of the Council are elected simultaneously for two-year terms. The Town Manager, appointed by the Town Council, serves as chief administrative officer and is charged with directing all business affairs of the town.

The town’s 280 regular status employees provide general governmental services for its residents that are typical of towns in Virginia. These include public works and utilities, parks and recreation, police, community development, and other administrative services. In Virginia, incorporated towns are an integral part of the counties in which they are located. The residents of Herndon pay Fairfax County property taxes (real estate and personal property), in addition to town taxes. In exchange, Fairfax County provides public education, certain technical and special education, libraries, health and human services, mental health assistance, fire and ambulance services, judicial services, correctional facilities, and additional recreation activities and facilities. The Herndon Town Council adopted a Fiscal Year 2026 Budget of $95.7 million.

The Strategic Plan, developed in FY 2024 in a spirit of unprecedented collaboration between the Town Council and town staff leadership, builds on the town’s core values with clear, actionable objectives, strategies and success measures. The plan is divided into five focus areas: Strong Fiscal Stewardship; Secure and Interconnected Community; Environmental and Economic Sustainability; Good Governance; and Thriving Community. It offers a blueprint for Herndon’s future, solidly grounded in its present. Review the plan online at Herndon-va.gov/Strategic Plan. The town’s full FY 2024 Annual Report is available in both English and Spanish at Herndon-va.gov/Annual Report.

Vision Statement

"Herndon is an integrated, sustainable, safe and equitable town built on accessible development and an engaged community."

Core Values

Innovative and Adaptive
Ethically Accountable
Sustainable
Collaborative with Aligned Engagement
Responsive
Equitable, Equal, and Just
Education and Experience

The Town Manager’s leadership is integral to managing municipal operations effectively, including public safety, public works, budgeting, and community services. They foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and accountability among staff, ensuring high-quality service delivery while maintaining fiscal responsibility. A bachelor’s degree, preferably with graduate-level education coupled with at least five years of successful executive leadership experience in local, state, or federal government or from managing departments or divisions of comparable size and complexity similar to the Town of Herndon. Veterans are encouraged to apply. ICMA-CM designation is preferred. Candidates should be familiar with local government laws, state and federal laws, municipal financing, and budgeting, and possess executive and managerial experience, professional judgment, and ethics. A valid driver’s license with an acceptable record is also necessary.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary for this position will be $220,000+. Consistent with the town’s Total Compensation Philosophy, Herndon offers annual and sick leave; personal/floating leave; 10.5 holidays; and group health insurance through Anthem which includes dental and vision coverage. Regular, full-time employees must participate in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and pay the statutory member contribution on a pre-tax salary reduction basis. Short and long-term disability insurance is also funded by the town. In addition, recreation benefits include free golf, racquetball, swimming, discounted classes, and more. Per the town’s charter, residency is required. Relocation expenses are negotiable. A contract will be negotiated.

Application Process

Qualified candidates please submit your cover letter and resume. This position is open until filled; however, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply no later than July 17, 2025. For more information, please contact Anne Lewis at or 540-757-0316 or Robert Colichio at

For more information about the Town of Herndon, visit

The Town of Herndon, Virginia, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the ADA, the Town will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with this employer.

RECRUITMENT BROCHURE

Compensation $220,000+