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Assistant Town Manager – Strategic Initiatives

The Town of Hilton Head Island is seeking an accomplished, forward-thinking local government executive to serve as its next Assistant Town Manager – Strategic Initiatives. This is a unique opportunity for a strategic leader who sees connections across policy, operations, community priorities, and organizational needs and knows how to turn ideas into action.

Working alongside the Town Manager and executive leadership team, the Assistant Town Manager will take on some of the Town's most complex and consequential priorities, bringing together departments, governmental agencies, community partners, and the private sector to develop solutions and move initiatives from concept to implementation.

This is not a traditional Assistant Town Manager role centered primarily on departmental oversight. It is an opportunity to serve as a trusted executive partner, helping shape strategy, develop policy, solve complex problems, and advance priorities that will influence Hilton Head Island's future.

POSITION DETAILS

Salary: Up to $190,000 DOQ + $750/month car allowance | Reports To: Town Manager | FLSA Status: Exempt

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree and eight (8) years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience | Valid driver's license

What You'll Do

• Lead complex strategic initiatives that cross departmental and organizational boundaries, moving priorities from concept through implementation.
• Help shape public policy and strategic direction in partnership with the Town Manager, Town Council, and senior leadership.
• Provide executive leadership for initiatives involving economic development, redevelopment, workforce housing, land acquisition, asset and risk management, technology and innovation, and special projects.
• Develop innovative approaches to community and organizational challenges by bringing together policy, financing, land, technology, partnerships, and other resources.
• Structure and negotiate public-private partnerships, development agreements, contracts, leases, and other strategic arrangements that advance Town priorities.
• Guide technology modernization and identify opportunities to improve how the organization operates and serves the community.
• Work across departments and with governmental agencies, developers, community organizations, and private-sector partners to advance complex initiatives.
• Provide executive oversight for assigned departments, programs, and professional staff while remaining responsive to emerging organizational priorities.

Who You Are

• An accomplished local government executive who combines strategic thinking with the ability to get things done.
• A solutions-oriented leader who is intellectually curious, takes initiative, and is comfortable tackling difficult or unfamiliar issues.
• A trusted advisor who can evaluate complex information, develop thoughtful options, and provide well-supported recommendations.
• A skilled executive communicator who can translate complicated issues into clear recommendations, presentations, staff reports, and policy discussions.
• A collaborative leader with the judgment and political awareness to navigate competing perspectives and highly visible issues.
• Someone who sees connections across policy, operations, development, technology, community priorities, and organizational needs.
• A leader who brings confidence without ego, independence without isolation, and a strong commitment to public service.

Experience That Matters

Strong candidates will bring broad local government experience and demonstrated success in areas such as executive municipal leadership, strategic initiatives, public policy, economic development or redevelopment, workforce housing, land acquisition, public-private partnerships, technology modernization, organizational improvement, and complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.

There is no single municipal portfolio that prepares someone for this position. What matters most is the ability to understand how local government works, learn quickly, see connections across issues, bring the right people and resources together, and maintain momentum on work that matters.

Why Join the Town?

In addition to a competitive salary and $750/month car allowance, the Town offers an excellent benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; a generous 401(k) plan with an employer contribution of up to 12%; paid vacation, sick leave and floating holidays; professional development opportunities; and relocation assistance.

Ready to take on work that doesn't always come with a playbook?

Join the Town of Hilton Head Island and help turn ambitious ideas into meaningful results for one of America's most distinctive coastal communities.

HOW TO APPLY:

To express interest, please submit your application materials via the Apply Now button below.

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter for consideration.

A full recruitment brochure is available HERE.

For additional information regarding the position and recruitment process, please contact:

Dr. Ian M. Coyle, ICMA-CM
President & Founder
Pracademic Partners
ian@pracademicpartners.com
585.943.0589

This position is considered open until a final selection is made.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by September 18, 2026.