Chief Of Staff

The City of Rochester Hills seeks an innovative and dedicated public servant as its next Chief of Staff to the Mayor.  The City is a highly desirable community located in northern Oakland County, Michigan, nationally recognized for its quality of life and resident satisfaction.  Rochester Hills is home to a wide array of industries including computer technology, electronic research, development and manufacturing, and robotics technology.   In addition, the City boasts more than 1,000 acres of parkland and a thriving cultural environment.   Known for its professionalism and commitment to its employees, Rochester Hills offers a vibrant setting for public service professionals dedicated to impactful leadership.

The Chief of Staff reports directly to the Mayor and plays a crucial role in coordinating city operations, managing strategic projects, and representing the Mayor's Office to internal and external stakeholders.  Partnering closely with the Mayor and the executive leadership team, this role is instrumental in advancing the strategic plan, fostering coordination, and ensuring a clear understanding of the City's mission, vision, and goals.

The City seeks a candidate with exceptional interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a collaborative approach to managing complex projects and relationships. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and discretion.The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Supervises staff, which includes prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; recommends and implements approved discipline; provides staff development; and maintains high standards necessary for efficient, professional operations.
• Serves as the primary liaison for the Mayor's Office. Represents the Mayor in interactions with various stakeholders, including City Council, executive leadership, staff, residents, visitors and external entities such as local and state legislators, business, and community leaders. Ensures the accurate and timely flow of information to and from the Mayor's Office.
• Builds and maintains respectful, positive working relationships with others, including representatives from community organizations, businesses and governmental agencies, City Council and City staff, using principles of good customer service; provides effective conflict resolution, as needed.
• Works directly with department directors on day-to-day issues, special projects and urgent problems to design solutions. Provides status updates to the Mayor.
• Chairs or participates in internal management staff meetings and external committee meetings, professional conferences and various events as a representative of the Mayor.
• Addresses and resolves public inquiries and concerns or refers matters to the appropriate party.
• Develops and supports efforts to coordinate grant and other fundraising efforts for the department.
• Participates in the departmental recruitment processes; makes recommendations for appointment of new staff; oversight of staff orientation and training.
• Coordinates internal and external community events and initiatives, including but not limited to, the annual State of the City address, Festival of the Hills, Light the Village, etc. 
• Prepares and reviews speeches, formal presentations, proclamations/resolutions and other communications, including articles and press releases.
• Reviews City Council agendas, and other public meeting agendas, and briefs the Mayor on important topics included on the meeting agendas.
• Identifies and supports the development of public and private sector partnerships for special projects, events and initiatives; solicits sponsors to defray taxpayer expense for City events.
• Assists with preparation of the Mayor's Office budget. Tracks spending, suggests budget changes, and provides updates to the Mayor as needed.
• Attends regular or special City Council meetings; provides information and support to the Mayor.
• In conjunction with the City's Legislative Advocacy Group, reviews pending legislation and evaluates its effects on City operations. Proposes policy and/or position statements regarding Federal, State, and local legislation and regulations for consideration by the Mayor. 
• Works extended hours as required to accommodate needs of the department and organization; attends regular and special weekend or evening meetings throughout the year.
• Other duties as designated by the Mayor.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration, public administration, political science, or a closely related field.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in public administration, private industry executive office or a senior-level role, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in a leadership or managerial role.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master's degree with related academic or professional experience.

 PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Requests for reasonable accommodation should be submitted to the Human Resources Department. 

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work has no exposure to environmental conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting (e.g. business office, light traffic). 

The first review of candidates will be March 18, 2025. Interested applicants should apply using this Link: https://www.govhrusa.com/careers-page-govhr/?cjobid=KW2673549212&rpid=1342502&postid=8BrdZ3kYF5A , submitting a resume, cover letter, and professional references. For questions, please contact Jaymes Vettraino at (847) 380-3240.

The City of Rochester Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer.