Description

The Community and Organization

The City of Lapeer is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and steady municipal leader to serve as Acting City Manager while the City conducts its search for a permanent City Manager. The anticipated duration of the appointment is six to nine months, although this timeframe is not guaranteed and the appointment may conclude earlier upon the appointment of a permanent City Manager or by action of the City Commission.

The individual selected as Acting City Manager may apply and receive consideration for the permanent position. Service in the acting role will not create an entitlement, preference, or guarantee of appointment to the permanent position.

Lapeer is the county seat and the commercial and retail center of Lapeer County. The community offers a historic downtown, strong neighborhoods, parks and recreational amenities, and convenient access to arts, entertainment, and regional destinations.

The City operates under the Commission-Manager form of government, with an approximately $12.1 million General Fund budget and approximately $39.1 million in total annual appropriations. The organization includes approximately 70 full-time employees, along with part-time, seasonal, and temporary personnel who support City programs and services.

Position Summary

The Acting City Manager is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Commission. As the City’s chief administrative officer, the Acting City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration of municipal operations in accordance with the City Charter, applicable ordinances, and policies established by the City Commission.

The Acting City Manager works with the City Commission as a body, supports the Commission’s policy-making responsibilities, and provides professional leadership in carrying out the Commission’s established policies and priorities. The successful candidate will provide stable, impartial, and effective leadership; maintain continuity of operations; coordinate and support the work of department heads and administrative officers; and guide the organization through its transition to a permanent City Manager.

The Acting City Manager will provide executive leadership and organizational direction through the City’s department heads and administrative officers. The position will also provide executive oversight of the City’s human resources and personnel functions and work directly with the City’s human resources professional and department heads regarding personnel administration.

Primary areas of coordination and administrative oversight, as applicable under the City Charter and other governing authority, include the City Clerk’s Office; Human Resources; Building, Planning and Zoning; Finance; Police; Fire and Rescue; Public Works; Wastewater Treatment; Parks, Recreation and Cemetery; and Housing.

Compensation, Benefits, and Appointment Terms

The annualized base salary range is $120,000–$150,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The selected annualized salary will be paid in biweekly installments through the City’s regular payroll system. Compensation for any partial pay period will be prorated in accordance with the City’s payroll practices.

The City offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance and retirement benefits. Coverage and participation are subject to the eligibility requirements, effective dates, contribution provisions, and other terms of the applicable plans.

The Acting City Manager will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the City Commission. The appointment is anticipated to last approximately six to nine months but is not for a guaranteed term and may conclude earlier upon the appointment of a permanent City Manager or by action of the City Commission.

The selected candidate’s compensation, benefits, anticipated duration, authority, reporting relationship, and other material terms of appointment will be established by the City Commission through a written employment agreement or other formal appointment action.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment or appointment is contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of a background check and pre-employment drug screening, along with verification of professional references satisfactory to the City.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following:
*Cover letter
*Resume
*Three professional references

Email: HBowman@ci.lapeer.mi.us 

Mail or delivery: Heather Bowman, City of Lapeer, 576 Liberty Park, Lapeer, MI 48446

Applications received by September 10, 2026, will receive first consideration. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. The City’s preferred start date for the selected candidate is no later than October 6, 2026.

Requests for confidentiality will be considered to the extent permitted by Michigan law. Candidates should understand that application materials and information concerning the selection process may be subject to disclosure under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act and other applicable public-records requirements.

Questions regarding the position or application process may be directed to Heather Bowman at HBowman@ci.lapeer.mi.us or (810) 245-4201.

Requirements

Essential Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the administration of City departments, programs, services, and utilities in accordance with the City Charter, applicable ordinances, adopted policies, and direction of the City Commission as a body.
• Implement policies and priorities established by the City Commission and promote the efficient, responsive, consistent, and equitable delivery of municipal services.
• Provide professional recommendations, reports, and timely information to the City Commission. Attend City Commission meetings, workshops, and other meetings as required.
• Maintain the distinction between the City Commission’s policy-making responsibilities and the Acting City Manager’s responsibility for the administration of City operations.
• Direct, supervise, and support department heads and administrative officers as provided by the City Charter and other governing authority. Establish performance expectations and provide leadership, coaching, and organizational direction.
• Maintain continuity of operations and work with department heads and staff to ensure an orderly transfer of responsibilities, active projects, and institutional knowledge.
• Oversee the preparation and administration of the annual budget. Monitor the City’s financial condition, purchasing, contracts, and fiscal controls in collaboration with the Finance Director and in accordance with applicable policies and legal requirements.
• Provide executive oversight of capital improvement planning, infrastructure priorities, economic development initiatives, and major organizational projects.
• Provide executive oversight of the City’s human resources and personnel functions, retaining appropriate executive accountability while working directly with the City’s human resources professional and department heads regarding personnel administration.
• Oversee personnel administration, including workforce planning, hiring, performance management, employee relations, discipline, labor relations, and organizational development, consistent with the City Charter, personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable law.
• Work collaboratively with the City’s human resources professional and department heads to promote the consistent administration of personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable employment laws.
• Maintain constructive and professional working relationships with elected officials, department heads, employees, labor representatives, residents, businesses, community organizations, and regional governmental partners.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, collective bargaining agreements, contracts, and other legal obligations.
• Maintain the confidentiality of personnel, legal, labor-relations, and other protected or confidential matters while ensuring compliance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act, Freedom of Information Act, public-records requirements, and other governmental transparency obligations.
• Represent the City at meetings, conferences, community events, and intergovernmental functions. Communicate the City’s official position on matters involving municipal operations when authorized to do so.
• Respond to concerns involving City policies, operations, and services and coordinate appropriate follow-up or corrective action.
• Perform other duties assigned by the City Commission as a body or required by the City Charter and applicable ordinances.

Desired Leadership Qualifications

• Strong executive leadership experience in municipal government or comparable public-sector administration.
• Demonstrated ability to provide steady, ethical, professional, and impartial leadership during a period of organizational transition.
• Ability to work professionally and impartially with elected officials who may hold differing perspectives while taking direction from and supporting the City Commission as a body.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and consensus-building skills.
• Experience working effectively with elected officials in a Commission-Manager or Council-Manager form of government, with a clear understanding of the distinction between policy-making and administrative responsibilities.
• Substantial knowledge of municipal budgeting and finance, personnel administration, labor relations, infrastructure, utilities, public safety, community development, and general municipal operations.
• Ability to establish productive working relationships with department heads and employees while respecting professional roles, governance responsibilities, and established lines of authority.
• Ability to quickly assess organizational needs, maintain continuity, and provide effective leadership without unnecessarily disrupting ongoing operations and initiatives.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, respond effectively under pressure, exercise sound judgment, and maintain organizational focus.
• Ability to handle personnel, legal, labor-relations, and other sensitive matters with professionalism, discretion, and appropriate confidentiality.
• Demonstrated commitment to transparency, accountability, ethical conduct, fiscal responsibility, and exceptional public service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, finance, political science, urban planning, or a closely related field. A master’s degree in public administration or a related discipline is preferred.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in local government administration or a comparably complex public-sector environment, including significant department-head or executive-level leadership experience.
• Prior experience as a City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Acting or Interim City Manager, or equivalent municipal executive is strongly preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated experience with municipal budgeting and finance, personnel administration, labor relations, public infrastructure, utilities, and major organizational priorities.
• Ability to attend evening meetings, workshops, community events, and other meetings or functions outside regular business hours.
• Ability to maintain a substantial, regular onsite presence at City facilities and remain reasonably available to respond to operational needs, urgent matters, and emergencies. This is a full-time, onsite appointment and is not structured as a remote position. City residency is not required.