City of Hilliard, OH - City Manager

The City of Hilliard is seeking a visionary, creative City Manager to lead a growing, dynamic community at a pivotal moment during its evolution. This is an opportunity to guide a city that is financially stable, highly innovative, and deeply committed to exceptional service, while overseeing major capital projects, economic growth initiatives, and strategic planning efforts. The next City Manager will have the chance to shape Hilliard's long-term trajectory, strengthening both the community and its governance, while building on a culture of collaboration, high-performing staff, and innovative problem-solving. This will be the City's second City Manager after transitioning to Council-Manager government in January 2020.

The City Manager serves as the chief executive officer, appointed by and reporting directly to the seven-member City Council. In this role, the Manager oversees all administrative functions across the City's departments, including Public Safety, Community Development, Recreation & Parks, Finance, Human Resources, IT/CityLab, and Operations/Facilities. Key responsibilities include guiding strategic growth, managing complex land use and infrastructure projects, maintaining operational excellence, and navigating high-profile legal and political matters. The Manager is expected to deliver results on economic development, asset management, zoning implementation, and community engagement, while fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and innovation.

The City Manager is supported by a Senior Leadership Team, anchored by two Assistant City Managers-one overseeing Community Development and the other overseeing Public Service and Recreation and Parks. In addition to the two Assistant City Managers, the City Manager's other direct reports include the Police Chief, Law Director (contract), and the Directors of Community Relations, Economic Development, Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology. This structure ensures strong internal collaboration and allows the Manager to leverage staff expertise to advance citywide priorities. The City has cultivated a strong healthy organizational and community culture and has focused this on strategic planning and internal organizational development.

The Manager also maintains close collaborative relationships with regional partners, including the School Superintendent, Norwich Township Trustees, and regional transit authorities, helping to shape policy and pursue initiatives that benefit both the City and the surrounding region. The City has had a strong track record in both innovation and cutting-edge initiatives. Hilliard City Lab is an incubator which provides support for businesses and entrepreneurs with resources and grants to transform ideas into business growth.

The City Manager role in Hilliard is both highly visible and highly impactful, requiring a leader who can build consensus among Councilmembers, resolve complex issues around growth and development, long-term economic and environmental sustainability, and drive innovative projects that improve the quality of life for residents and businesses alike in Hilliard.

The City of Hilliard's Promise

In Hilliard, our team of passionate public servants comes to work each day exhibiting "Hilliard's Promise" with every action we take. We believe and exemplify the following as part of this promise to each other and our community:

A Heart for Service that results in Exceptional Service from Exceptional People.

Strength in Teamwork that results in One Team Delivering Bold Results.

A Drive for Excellence that results in Quality and Innovation in All We Do. Everything we do as a city is designed to improve the lives of the people living and working here.

We work to ensure Hilliard is safe, healthy, vibrant, and welcoming because our ultimate goal is improving the quality of life.

In a resident perception survey performed in 2022, we asked residents how they feel about living in Hilliard. The results were overwhelmingly positive and show our community thinks we are on the right track:

96% of surveyed residents say Hilliard is an excellent or good community in which to live.

95% would recommend Hilliard to others as a place to call home.

94% said the overall customer service by the City of Hilliard employees is excellent or good.

93% say Hilliard quality of life is excellent or good.

89% say they feel safe in Hilliard. The City receives nearly 74% of its general fund revenue from a 2.5% municipal income tax. In 2021, community voters overwhelmingly approved a 0.5% increase to that income tax, with the additional revenue earmarked for recreation and parks.

In 2023, the City collected $50.8 million in income tax (withholding, business, and individual). Top employers include Advanced Drainage Systems, Amazon Data Services, and Micro Center Inc.

In 2023 and 2024, the City of Hilliard was named one of the Intelligent Community Forum's Top 21 Smart Cities in the world, an honor that recognizes communities demonstrating best practices in broadband implementation, workforce development, digital inclusion, innovation, advocacy, and sustainability.

Priorities

Establish trust and effective communication with all City Councilmembers, facilitating consensus on key policy decisions and ensuring smooth governance.

Lead efforts to expand Hilliard's commercial tax base, implement the 2023 Comprehensive Plan, and catalyze development of the Wolpert Property and other strategic sites, while leveraging innovation initiatives like CityLab to attract high-quality jobs and investment.

Strengthen internal systems, including the implementation of an asset management and capital planning approach to ensure reliable infrastructure, efficient operations, and continued high-quality services to residents.

The Successful Candidate

Hilliard's next City Manager will be a skilled local government professional who is a strong, proactive leader, an excellent communicator, and a professional committed to exceptional customer service and financial management. The successful candidate will be accessible throughout the community, inspire and engage staff across the organization, and foster productive working relationships with all members of City Council. They will be open and transparent, balancing day-to-day service needs with a clear focus on long-term strategic objectives.

The successful candidate brings experience in a fast-growing community, where they have supported economic development that helps residents and businesses thrive while addressing pressing infrastructure needs. In this role, the City Manager will help Council set both short- and long-term goals, promote economic resiliency, and champion transparency across the organization-keeping Council well informed and engaging the community with clarity and confidence.

This leader will be approachable and collaborative, building strong partnerships in the community and region, including with Norwich Township (which provides fire services) and Hilliard City Schools. They will guide the organization in evaluating policies and practices to ensure alignment with best practices, reinforce the council-manager form of government, and foster employee growth so staff are well equipped to serve Hilliard's residents and businesses.

The successful candidate will demonstrate high ethical standards, provide Council with candid and well-reasoned advice, and bring proven expertise in budgeting, human resources, economic development, intergovernmental relations, and technology. Above all, they will introduce best practices in governance and service delivery to strengthen Hilliard's future and organizational culture.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a bachelor's degree and at least seven years of local government experience with demonstrated leadership as a manager, assistant manager, or department director.

Preferred qualifications include a master's degree, ICMA-CM, and demonstrated success in economic development, building strong intergovernmental partnerships, technology improvements, and strategic planning and implementation. Experience working in the council-manager form of government is also preferred. Residency after appointment is preferred but not required.

Inside The Organization

The City of Hilliard operates under a council-manager form of government, in which voters elect members to City Council. The seven-member Council serves as the legislative body, enacting ordinances, setting policy, and approving the City's operating and capital budgets. By a two-thirds affirmative vote, City Council appoints the City Manager to serve as the City's chief administrative officer, responsible for implementing Council policies and managing day-to-day operations across all departments and divisions, including public safety, community development, recreation, finance, human resources, and operations/facilities.

Since 2019, Hilliard has annually earned a Moody's Investors Service Aaa+ bond rating, the highest rating Moody's provides. The agency projects a stable financial outlook, underscoring the City's disciplined fiscal management. As of 2019, only 15 other municipalities in Ohio had achieved this distinction.

Hilliard is a growing, fiscally responsible city that strategically invests in its people, infrastructure, and community. The 2025 proposed budget reflects this approach, with a general fund increase of 8.8% ($2.87 million), or 5% excluding one-time items, demonstrating careful fiscal planning. Key investments include citywide employee recognition and merit increases, as well as targeted infrastructure support such as the storm sewer realignment for a major development site. These budget priorities underscore Hilliard's commitment to staff development, operational excellence, and strategic growth, providing the City Manager with the opportunity to lead high-impact initiatives that enhance both city operations and quality of life for residents.

The Community

Hilliard is a growing, vibrant and innovative city, balancing scenic beauty and residential diversity with dynamic businesses and corporate development.

More than 1,100 businesses call Hilliard home. Two-thirds of our workforce is white-collar, and our median household income is more than $116,000 per year.

And Hilliard is a safe community; 89 percent of our surveyed residents report they feel secure in the City.

But just 15 minutes from Hilliard's quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods is downtown Columbus, the heart of the 14th largest city in the United States. That means Hilliard residents enjoy big-city amenities such as an eclectic dining scene, ranging from more than 60 regional craft breweries (including Hilliard's own Crooked Can) to fine restaurants.

There's family fun, from the internationally acclaimed Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to professional sports, including Columbus Blue Jackets hockey, Columbus Crew soccer, the PGA's Memorial Golf Tournament, and Columbus Clippers' minor league baseball (not to mention The Ohio State University Buckeyes!).

Residents and corporate citizens enjoy high-quality, dependable city and safety services, 25 developed parks, more than 36 miles of scenic multipurpose trails, popular recreational programs, diverse community celebrations, and a variety of safe and attractive neighborhoods.

In April 2023, the City broke ground on its largest capital project in history, a recreation and wellness campus that will include a 105,000-square-foot community and fitness center and numerous new athletic fields. Set to completion in 2025, this $105 million project is being funded thanks to a 0.5% income tax increase passed by voters in 2021.

Hilliard City School District (hilliardschools.org) is one of Ohio's largest, with more than 16,000 students. It is also one of the state's most highly regarded, fulfilling its mission in preparing every student to be "Ready for Tomorrow." The Division of Police maintains a mutually beneficial partnership with the school district, including a team of SROs in the buildings who work hand in hand to ensure our schools are safe.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range for the City Manager is $210,000 - $275,000, depending on qualifications. The City of Hilliard offers a competitive benefits package that includes participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS), twelve (12) paid holidays, two (2) personal days, and tuition reimbursement. Additional benefits include generous vacation and sick leave accruals, health and dental insurance, and access to professional development opportunities. Reasonable relocation expenses, if applicable, will be included.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning December 1, 2025.

Questions

Please direct questions to Catherine Tuck Parrish at and Kelsey Batt at .

Download the Recruitment Brochure