How the right Assistant City Manager supported stability, financial clarity, and trust during a City Manager–led transition
Assistant City Manager providing operational stability during city government change and public sector leadership, translating strategy into execution in municipal government.
The Challenge
A large city in Oregon was at a pivotal moment in its growth: navigating governance transition, rapid urbanization, rising service demands, and financial and organizational constraints. Departments operated with lean staffing, limited resources, and increasing pressure from elected leaders and the community. The city needed both an operations specialist and a visionary.
Elizabeth’s appointment as Assistant City Manager was instrumental in supporting the City Manager’s vision for operational stability and long-term financial sustainability. Her focus was on executing key initiatives, building trust within teams, and ensuring transparent, community-centered government.
The ideal candidate needed a combination of pragmatism and vision—able to manage day-to-day operations while positioning the city for long-term sustainability.
The Candidate
Out of more than 12 nationally sourced, highly qualified candidates with experience leading large cities and counties, Elizabeth was selected. This was a complex search involving a substantial number of stakeholders across multiple organizational levels.
Elizabeth brought deep, hands-on experience guiding municipalities through transitions, having served as Assistant City Manager in one of the region’s largest, most complex urban cities. She had direct experience leading and operating in a Council-Manager governance system and a strong record managing politically nuanced environments, tight budgets, and high expectations.
A lifelong connection to the city fueled Elizabeth’s sense of purpose. Known for clarity in moments of uncertainty, collaborative leadership, and coaching emerging leaders, she was uniquely equipped to navigate the city’s structural and operational challenges.
As a bonus, Elizabeth grew up in the city and well understood many of the challenges of rapid urbanization as well as the advantages of a city becoming a top destination for restaurants, arts, and entertainment.
Actions Taken
Stepping into the role amid financial and organizational change, Elizabeth focused on stabilization, alignment, and trust-building. Key actions included:
Operational and Cultural Stabilization
• Clarified roles and responsibilities within under-resourced departments.
• Coached emerging leaders to rebuild morale and confidence.
• Began shifting culture from enforcement-focused to service-oriented.
Financial Leadership and Transparency
• Served as Interim Finance Director to ensure continuity and oversight.
• Developed new communication and accountability structures.
• Created tools like “Property Tax 101” and “Budget 101” to make complex financial information accessible.
Council and Stakeholder Alignment
• Initiated candid conversations with Council to establish a shared understanding of finances.
• Built trust with the Mayor and Council around data-driven decision-making.
• Laid the groundwork for future discussions on revenue strategies.
Strategic and Community-Focused Outcomes
• Secured funding for critical services, including the city library.
• Strengthened city-county partnerships.
• Supported efforts to clarify organizational mission, vision, and values.
Results
Elizabeth’s leadership guided the city through a transformative governance change, yielding:
• Improved morale and engagement within previously strained teams.
• Stronger alignment between staff, executive leadership, and Council.
• Increased trust from the Mayor and elected officials.
• Greater transparency and understanding of the city’s financial position.
• A solid foundation for sustainable fiscal planning and long-term decision-making.
The city gained a leader capable of balancing operational discipline with empathy, ensuring effective, transparent, and community-centered government during a period of rapid change.
Working with Acumen
“Acumen provided such a great candidate experience—they were kind, communicative, responsive, and helpful. And their support doesn’t stop after the job offer. They check in with candidates at 90 days and six months, providing informal coaching, advice, and support. They truly want to find the best match for both the employer and the candidate. Highly recommend!” – Elizabeth C.
This placement reflects Acumen’s approach to executive search: thoughtful matching, high-touch engagement, and sustained support to ensure leaders and organizations thrive. Looking for a public administration leader who can navigate complexity? Start a conversation by calling 503-430-0294 or by visiting acumenesearch.com