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CUMBERLAND COUNTY — AN EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY
This is an exceptional opportunity to provide leadership and
management to a county government located in a historic area
of North Carolina that is vital to our national security.
Strong candidates are effective leaders with the ability to inspire
a large, dedicated workforce. They are able to collaborate with
elected officials, all County departments and separate public
systems to achieve county and community objectives. They are
effective stewards of public funds with experience as sound
financial managers administering a large budget. They have
knowledge of the principles and best practices of public
administration with innovation and sound judgment.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Cumberland County is a large and growing county in southeastern
North Carolina, with a diverse population of approximately
331,000 (2012 State Budget Office projection), the fifth most
populous county in the state.
One of Cumberland County’s greatest assets is its thriving arts and
cultural community. Theatre, symphony orchestras, and museums
for adults and children are available, including the Airborne and
Special Operations Museum. A variety of festivals and special
events are held throughout the year and we are also home to the
Fayetteville Fire Antz hockey team and the Swamp Dogs, a summer
collegiate baseball team.
Cumberland County is home to two outstanding universities and an
excellent community college. The County is proud of its national
award-winning public library system.
The County is located in North Carolina’s Sandhills region.
Cumberland and the surrounding counties include scenic rivers,
lakes and other recreation areas, and world-renowned golf courses
that host major tournaments. We are two hours from the North
Carolina coast and four hours from the Great Smoky Mountains
and the Blue Ridge Parkway. County residents enjoy a pleasant
climate with distinct seasons.
We are home to Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations
in the world and headquarters for U.S. Forces Command, XVIII
Airborne Corp, 82nd Airborne and U.S. Special Forces
Command, with an active duty population of over 51,000 troops.
It is often said that “when the President dials 911, the phone rings
at Fort Bragg.” Additional military assets were added to Fort Bragg
by previous recommendations of the Base Realignment and Closure
Commission.
To learn more about Cumberland County visit:
• County website: http://co.cumberland.nc.us/
• Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce:
http://fayettevillencchamber.org/
• Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau:
www.visitfayettevillenc.com/
The strong military presence offers significant economic
development potential, and there are opportunities for additional
economic diversification.
The seven-member elected Board of County Commissioners is the
governing body of Cumberland County. Five Commissioners are
elected from districts and two are elected at large. Commisioners
serve four-year staggered terms. Two incumbent commissioners are
seeking reelection this year, and two veteran commissioners are not
running for reelection.
The City of Fayetteville (pop. 202,000, seventh largest city in N.C.),
is the county seat and one of nine municipalities within the county.
Fayetteville, whose motto is “History, Heroes and a Hometown
Feeling,” is a two-time All-America City award winner and offers the
amenities of a sizeable city, a revitalized downtown area and
numerous shopping opportunities. Smaller municipalities within the
county provide the options of small town living, and the county
retains more rural agricultural areas.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Cumberland County operates under the Board-Manager (CouncilManager) form of government. The Manager form is prevalent in
North Carolina counties and cities (see N.C. General Statutes
Section 153A-82).
THE CANDIDATE
The County is seeking an innovative and dynamic leader
who is committed to maintaining and improving the quality
of life for all of our citizens, with a continued focus on sound
financial management.
The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible, stable and wellmanaged government with sound budget and strong fund balance
(net assets). The County has an overall budget of approximately
$550 million, a property tax rate of 74 cents per $100 of assessed
valuation and approximately 2,400 employees in 30 departments.
All North Carolina local government units operate on a July 1-June
30 fiscal year, under sound and conservative budget and fiscal
control statutes, with effective financial oversight by the Local
Government Commission in the State Treasurer’s Office.
The County government provides services ranging from animal
control to zoning, and strong support for quality public education,
working with an elected Board of Education and appointed school
superintendent. Award-winning programs in our Health
Department, Finance Department, Public Library and Social
Services demonstrate Cumberland County’s commitment to better
serve our residents, prepare for the future and fulfill our commitment
to a caring, inclusive and transparent government.
THE POSITION
The County Manager is appointed by, reports to and serves at
the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners. The
previous County Manager retired recently after serving in the
position with distinction for almost 14 years.
The County Manager is the chief executive officer, responsible
for effective implementation of policy decisions by the Board
of County Commissioners, direction and coordination of
County departments to ensure cost effective programs and
provision of quality services in accordance with the strategic
mission, goals, priorities and values established by the Board
of Commissioners. The Manager oversees development of the
proposed annual budget for Board consideration, including
capital projects, and administers the approved budget. The
Manager directly manages the Administration Department
staff of eight, establishing its goals and objectives, and directs
other departments through a deputy and two assistant county
managers. The County Manager’s Office includes legislative
support, policy implementation, budget development, strategic
planning, economic development, oversight of the personnel
system and policies, communication services and other
functions. The Manager also ensures development of
productive working relationships with media, business and
community organizations and leaders, and the general public
in order to promote the services and programs of the County
and to maintain open channels of communication for
identifying and responding to the needs of County citizens.
The successful candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree in
Public or Business Administration, Finance, or similar field; a
Master’s degree is preferred. Additionally, the candidate will have
at least ten (10) years of leadership experience as a County or
City Manager, Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, or
Department Head in an organization of similar size and
complexity. The successful candidate also should have
considerable knowledge of and experience in capital
improvements, community relations, organizational change,
strategic planning and implementation efforts, budget development
and management, human resources and project management.
Experience in North Carolina county government is a plus.
Desired characteristics, qualifications and experience:
• Demonstrated strong financial management skills, including
long range capital facility needs
• Ability to assist Board in refining a cohesive vision for the
County, and follow through on implementing and adhering to
strategic plans
• Creative, flexible, able and willing to develop and recommend
innovative but sound policies and programs
• Strong advocate for developing and implementing effective
economic development policies and strategies
• Politically astute but scrupulously non-partisan, with
demonstrated sound professional judgment and thorough
understanding of the appropriate respective roles of elected
officials and senior managers
• Able and willing to seek productivity and customer service
improvements through cost effective information technology
enhancements and innovation
• Thoughtful, open to new ideas, able and willing to make
sound, timely decisions
• Commitment to improving and maintaining productive
working relationships with military leadership, and community
support for our military families
• Commitment to improving and maintaining productive
working relationships with the County’s nine municipalities and
other counties in region
• Ability to relate well to the county’s diverse population, and
willingness to remain accessible and active in community
affairs
• Strong media relations, public presentation and written
communications, and interpersonal skills
• Strong negotiation skills to address future opportunities, needs
and challenges
• Impeccable integrity, committed to the high ethical standards
of the local government management profession and
transparent government operations
• Committed to attracting and retaining quality County
workforce, and continued professional development and
growth, personally and with respect to other employees
COMPENSATION
AND BENEFITS
The starting salary will be market competitive, depending on the
experience and qualifications of the selected individual. The County
provides attractive benefits. For a benefits summary, visit:
http://www.co.cumberland.nc.us and select the Employees tab.
The Mercer Group, Inc., a firm that provides executive search
and other consulting services to public and private sector clients
nationwide, is assisting the Cumberland County Board of
Commissioners in this County Manager search. For additional
information, please contact Ellis Hankins.
TO APPLY
Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by email. If timely
acknowledgement is not received, please follow up with Mr.
Hankins.
To apply for this outstanding opportunity, send cover letter, resume
and salary history to:
S. Ellis Hankins
Sr. Vice President
The Mercer Group, Inc.
1201 Little Lake Hill Drive
Raleigh, NC 27607
Voice: 919-349-8988
Email: ellis.hankins@gmail.com
(email transmission preferred)
Website: www.mercergroupinc.com
First review of candidate applications will begin by
April 30, 2014.
Following a process and timetable approved by the Board,
resumes will be screened and interviews with selected
candidates are expected to be held in Cumberland County in
early June.
Cumberland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and
values diversity across the work force, in order to serve all
citizens well.