Chief Administrative Officer

Introduction

Senior Executive Role Overseeing Municipal Operations, Driving Strategic Initiatives, and Ensuring Effective Public Service Delivery

The City of New Haven is seeking a highly skilled and visionary Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to join the senior leadership team.

Reporting directly to the Mayor, the CAO will play a pivotal role in overseeing the operations of city departments, driving innovation, and ensuring the efficient delivery of essential public services.

This position demands a dynamic leader with a proven track record in government management, strategic planning, and team development.

The ideal candidate will be deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, while working collaboratively to achieve the Mayor's goals and improve the quality of life for all residents.

If you are a seasoned public administration professional with a passion for serving your community and leading transformative change, we invite you to apply.

SUPERVISES

This position manages numerous department heads which employ hundreds of staff. Expectations for the management role of this position is to remain deeply committed to developing and bringing out the strengths of City departments while holding staff accountable for their goals and the Mayor's desired programmatic, financial and operational outcomes.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is a senior staff position under the direct supervision of the Mayor tasked with assisting the Administration in coordinating and improving the departments, offices and agencies that make up the municipal government organization.

The role of this position seeks to champion the vision of the Mayor internally and externally by valuing diversity, equity and inclusion for all City employees and constituents, as well as maintain an unyielding focus at all times on what is best for residents and for the City.

Work involves responsibility for assuring that services to residents are delivered fairly and cost-effectively in a data-driven approach to government.

Emphasis is on independent problem-solving in the conduct of the government on behalf of the Mayor; and, on fostering a team-centered environment that inspires collaboration and supports all colleagues in leveraging their passions towards advancement of public service.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Work closely with department heads to build their skills and confidence so that they can mentor, encourage and motivate their department staff.

Provide mentorship and guidance on how to improve service management and team performance.

• Set up accountability systems and nurture a growing sense of ownership within departments to ensure continued delivery of high-caliber public service.
• Coordinate and analyze appropriate data to inform operational decision making and service delivery. Throughout the process, foster innovation and learning - test, learn, adapt, iterate - for greatest impact.
• Establish measurable performance goals to assess City service quality, impact and sustainability on an annual and on-going basis.
• Resolves conflicts between parts of the city government, between citizens and the government and among citizens.
• Engage closely with Finance and Budget departments to monitor programmatic operations to ensure sound fiscal management.
• Represent the Administration in public meetings, media events, and at state and local legislative hearings.
• Tracks pertinent legislation impacting municipal operations; oversees litigation settlement committee with recommendations to Mayor and legislative body on cost effective resolutions.
• Performs other related work as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Organizational Leadership or a closely related field.

Ideal candidate will have additional course work in one or more of the following : Emergency Management, Public Safety, Law, Human Resources Management, Finance & Public Budgeting.

Additionally, candidates should have at least 7 years senior-level experience in government management and administration.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to collaborative management and team building, alongside evidence of success in building relationships and fostering alliances among a diversity of people to accomplish goals.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple teams, time, and projects, while ensuring staff are aligned with organizational priorities and that goals are met efficiently.
• Ability to work closely with department heads to mentor, motivate, and build their skills, encouraging ownership and accountability within their departments.
• Skilled in strategic planning, project management, and organization; able to focus on key organizational priorities without losing sight of details.
• Demonstrated ability to increase efficiency and effectiveness of municipal government through integrated process and system improvements.
• Thorough knowledge of legislation and policies that affect local government, including familiarity with municipal law, finance, and labor relations.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of personnel and labor relations in a unionized environment, including staffing, training, discipline, handling grievances, negotiations, and interpreting and implementing collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience with budget preparation and management for multiple departments in a state, local or county government.
• Proven ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and meet critical deadlines, maintaining both broad focus and attention to detail under pressure.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences, including government officials, department heads, staff, media, and the public.
• Ability to present facts and express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, in a variety of settings, including public meetings, media events, and legislative hearings.
• Experience representing an administration or organization in public forums and media.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, fostering positive relationships across different levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Must be skilled in active listening and facilitating discussions, and have the ability to resolve conflicts between city departments, between citizens and government, and among citizens, using effective mediation and negotiation strategies.
• Ability to coordinate and analyze data to inform operational decisions and service delivery.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural competency and self-reflection in leadership, recognizing and addressing the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin on policy-making and public service.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Residency in the City of New Haven is required within six months (180 days) of appointment, unless otherwise provided by Ordinance.
• Must be available to work beyond standard business hours, including nights and weekends, to respond to emergencies, attend meetings, and support 24 / 7 operations.
• Must possess a valid driver's license at time of application and must maintain said license throughout duration of employment.

Local and intra-city travel will be required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements

Amount of Time

Working Environment

Amount of Time

None

Under 1 / 3

1 / 3 to 2 / 3

Over 2 / 3

None

Under 1 / 3

1 / 3 to 2 / 3

Over 2 / 3

Stand

Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)

Walk

Work near moving mechanical parts

Work in high, precarious places

Use hands to touch, handle, or feel

Fumes or airborne particles

Reach with hands and arms

Toxic or caustic chemicals

Climb or balance

Outdoor weather conditions

Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

Extreme cold (non-weather)

Talk or hear

Risk of electrical shock

Taste or smell

Work with explosives

Risk of radiation

Lifting or force to be exerted?

Vibration

How much and how often?

Amount of Time

None

Under 1 / 3

1 / 3 to 2 / 3

Over 2 / 3

Up to 10 pounds

Up to 25 pounds

Up to 50 pounds

Up to 75 pounds

Up to 100 pounds

More than 100 pounds

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a "General Fund" non-tested position.

This position covered by the Executive Management & Confidential Employee Policy, available to review HERE .

Hires into this class shall not be covered by the City pension but shall continue to be covered by Social Security; additionally, employer will contribute 7.

5% of base pay into a defined contribution plan.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of : (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period.

Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy.

The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description;

failure to do so may result in disqualification. Position posted until filled.

Applicants must attach a resume and a writing sample to their submission.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process, and in some cases, this information may be used to determine the eligibility list.

Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. A hiring decision may be made prior to the removal of the job posting.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE .

Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam / junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.

Conclusion

To apply for this opportunity :

• Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use.
• You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting.
• MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application!
• Review or modify your application for that position
• Click "Ready to Send App " or the " Send " tab; read page and click the attestation
• Click " Send to City of New Haven "
• You will be redirected to " CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION "
• You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission
• If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at [email protected]

Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position .