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SumterLocalGovernmentConsulting | Full time

City Manager

Lake City, GA, United States | Posted on 08/01/2026

Sumter Local Government Consulting is pleased to assist the City of Lake City, GA, in recruiting its City Manager. The City Manager reports to the Mayor and City Council and is a critical member of the city’s executive leadership team.

Lake City is a welcoming, close-knit community located in northern Clayton County , approximately nine miles south of downtown Atlanta. Known as the "City of Friendly People," Lake City combines the charm and accessibility of a small municipality with the advantages of being located within one of the nation's largest metropolitan regions. Incorporated in 1951, the City has maintained a strong sense of community while benefiting from the economic opportunities and transportation infrastructure of metropolitan Atlanta.

Covering approximately 1.9 square miles and home to nearly 3,000 residents, Lake City offers a high quality of life characterized by friendly neighborhoods, engaged citizens, and responsive local government. The City's size allows elected officials and staff to maintain close relationships with residents and businesses while providing personalized municipal services. Community pride, accessibility, and customer service remain hallmarks of the City's culture.

Lake City's strategic location is one of its greatest assets. The City enjoys immediate access to Interstate 75 and Interstate 285 and is located only minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , one of the world's busiest airports. The City is also adjacent to the cities of Forest Park and Morrow, near Clayton State University , and close to the Fort Gillem redevelopment area. This exceptional connectivity provides residents and businesses with convenient access to regional employment centers, higher education, logistics, healthcare, and entertainment throughout metro Atlanta.

Residents enjoy the benefits of a diverse metropolitan community while maintaining the feel of a hometown where neighbors know one another and civic engagement is encouraged. The City is served by the Clayton County Public Schools and benefits from nearby educational opportunities, parks, recreation, shopping, and cultural amenities throughout Clayton County and the Atlanta region. The City's convenient location also provides access to a robust workforce, extensive public transportation options, and numerous recreational and entertainment destinations.

Lake City's Mayor and City Council have established a vision centered on fiscal responsibility, excellent customer service, economic vitality, infrastructure improvements, and maintaining a safe, attractive community.

Ideal Candidate

The Mayor and City Council are seeking an accomplished local government executive who combines strong technical expertise with outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills. The successful candidate will understand the complexities of municipal government while embracing Lake City's small-town culture and commitment to exceptional customer service. This individual will be a visible, accessible, and ethical leader who builds trust with elected officials, employees, residents, businesses, and regional partners.

The Position

The City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Lake City and is responsible for providing visionary leadership, professional management, and strategic direction for all municipal operations. Appointed by and reporting directly to the Mayor and City Council , the City Manager implements the policies and priorities established by the governing body while ensuring the efficient, effective, and ethical delivery of municipal services. The successful candidate will be an experienced local government executive who embraces collaboration, innovation, transparency, and customer service, and fosters a positive organizational culture focused on excellence.

As the City's chief executive, the City Manager oversees the daily operations of all municipal departments and is responsible for directing and evaluating department heads, promoting organizational effectiveness, and ensuring that City services are delivered in a responsive, fiscally responsible, and citizen-focused manner. The City Manager provides leadership that encourages teamwork, accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

The City Manager serves as the principal advisor to the Mayor and City Council, providing objective recommendations and professional expertise on policy development, municipal operations, financial management, economic development, infrastructure investment, personnel administration, and long-range strategic planning. The position requires the ability to translate the governing body's vision into practical programs and initiatives while maintaining open communication and fostering productive working relationships with elected officials.

Financial stewardship is a critical responsibility of the position. The City Manager directs the preparation and administration of the City's annual operating and capital budgets, monitors revenues and expenditures, develops long-term financial strategies, and ensures responsible management of public resources. The City Manager continually evaluates municipal operations to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, improved service delivery, cost savings, and organizational effectiveness while maintaining the highest standards of fiscal accountability.

The City Manager also provides leadership in community and economic development initiatives designed to enhance the City's tax base, attract new investment, support existing businesses, and improve the overall quality of life for residents. Working collaboratively with developers, business leaders, regional organizations, governmental agencies, and community stakeholders, the City Manager plays a key role in advancing redevelopment opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable growth while preserving Lake City's unique character and small-town atmosphere.

As the face of the City's administration, the City Manager develops and maintains strong working relationships with residents, business owners, community organizations, neighboring jurisdictions, Clayton County, regional agencies, state and federal partners, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will be a visible and accessible leader who values public engagement, encourages collaboration, and effectively communicates complex issues to diverse audiences.

The position requires exceptional leadership in organizational management and human resources. The City Manager oversees recruitment, retention, succession planning, employee development, performance management, and labor relations while fostering a workplace culture built upon professionalism, integrity, accountability, mutual respect, and outstanding customer service. The City Manager is expected to mentor department leaders, build organizational capacity, and position the City for long-term success.

The City Manager also oversees the implementation of the City's strategic initiatives, capital improvement projects, technology enhancements, emergency preparedness efforts, risk management programs, and intergovernmental agreements. The position requires balancing day-to-day operational responsibilities with long-term strategic planning to ensure the City continues to meet the evolving needs of its residents and businesses.

This position offers a unique opportunity to lead a growing community that values professional management, responsive government, fiscal responsibility, and exceptional customer service. The next City Manager will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by strengthening municipal operations, advancing strategic initiatives, fostering economic growth, and helping shape the future of Lake City while preserving its proud tradition as the "City of Friendly People."

The position requires the successful candidate to meet the following qualifications:

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration or related field.
• Fifteen (15) or more years of broad and diversified management experience in planning and directing major programs of local public services.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices of modern executive and administrative planning, management, and control.
• Thorough knowledge of modern principles and practices in conducting diversified public services in city government.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, prioritize, and assign the work of subordinate staff with a deep working knowledge of modern principles and practices of human resources policies and procedures.
• Ability to devise cost-effective approaches to satisfying community needs in addition to a sound background in budget preparation and fiscal controls.
• It is helpful to have progressive executive experience in the private sector as well.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public administration/business administration or other pertinent graduate-level degree.
• Advanced Professional certification, i.e., Certified Public Manager, ICMA-certified city manager, Executive certification.
• Experience as a municipal department head or as an assistant city manager

The hiring range for this position is $118,000 - $130,000.