Job ID: 50266
Location: Laurens, South Carolina
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Last Updated: 12 days ago
Established in 1785 and named for the Revolutionary War hero, Vice President of the First General Assembly of SC, and President of the Continental Congress, Henry Laurens (1724-1792), Laurens County is home to more than 70,000 people. In recent years, Laurens County has experienced growth, particularly in the northern part of the county. With easy access to I-85, I-26, and I-385, Laurens County is positioned particularly well for continued residential growth as well as growth in manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Laurens County, while still predominately rural, is home to a number of charming small towns and tight knit communities. For those who enjoy the outdoors and recreation, Laurens County is an ideal place to live. Close enough to larger metropolitan areas, residents can access big city amenities while still enjoying the slower pace, local shops, and beautiful countryside that dominates the county’s landscape.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION SUMMARY
The County Council of Laurens County is seeking a County Administrator to serve as Chief Administrative Officer for the County. The Administrator will provide broad leadership to the County Government and will advise County Council regarding current and future needs of the County. Work involves administering County policy on a daily basis as established by County Council, directing the personnel and activities of all County departments through subordinate department directors, managing the preparation of the County budget, providing leadership in the development and implementation of the County’s economic development program, serving as County spokesperson, and performing related administrative and supervisory work as required. The Administrator will ensure high quality services are delivered to citizens and that the agency is a responsible steward of the County’s financial resources.
The full position profile can be viewed here: Laurens County Position Profile
The Administrator reports to seven council members, each elected from single member districts. Laurens County operates under a Council form of government. The Administrator implements all policies as directed by vote of the Council.
The County organization includes a total staff of approximately 500 and 12 departments reporting into the Administrator.
The ideal candidate will have prior local government leadership experience and is interested in growing with the county. A strong communicator, this candidate will be a collaborative, transparent leader who engages with Council members, community leaders, and staff to understand the needs and desires of the community and the strategies that will allow for the accomplishment of short and long-term goals.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership
- Serves as the County’s Chief Administrative Officer; directs and coordinates all operational and administrative activities of County government.
- Directs the activities and services of all County departments, offices and institutions through subordinate non-elected department directors.
- Implements the directives and policies of the County Council; Enforces all directives, ordinances, resolutions, regulations of the County Council, and state and federal laws relevant to the County.
- Ensures department and division leaders understand all policies and procedures relevant to County services; Establishes regular communication and leadership team meetings to create alignment and compliance with adopted and approved policies.
- Establishes accountability measures and key performance indicators for County operations; works with the leadership team to evaluate progress towards established goals.
- Serves as spokesperson for the County; represents the County to the news media and other county, city and state agencies; coordinates County activities with those of other agencies and organizations as appropriate.
Crisis Management
- Leads during crisis situations, such as weather emergencies; advises Department Directors during emergency events.
- Manages the media response during emergency situations, ensuring that citizens are appropriately informed. Guides the development of media talking points and response to media inquiries during times of crisis.
- Ensures that personnel in all departments receive training for crisis situations and that emergency response teams are adequately equipped to respond.
- Orders any department under his/her jurisdiction, per County Code, to perform any task typically performed by another department on a temporary basis, if deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the County. Delegates administrative duties and responsibilities to the Department Directors and other County personnel.
Financial and Budget Oversight
- Prepares annual operating and capital improvement budgets for submission to County Council; supervises the expenditure of funds appropriated by the Council.
- Establishes accountability measures for department leaders regarding effective budget management.
- Ensures appropriate internal controls are implemented to provide safekeeping of tax-payer funds, assets, and the maintenance of financial accounting records.
- Assists elected and appointed department heads regarding budget creation and presentation to meet program needs and requirements of planned services.
- Collaborates with the Finance Director to ensure the completion of the annual audit.
- Evaluates equipment needs and authorizes procurement of equipment with the approval of Council.
- Manages capital improvement programs; gains an understanding of personnel, space, and equipment needs through collaboration with department leaders.
Strategic Planning & Strategic Initiatives
- Oversees the planning and implementation of strategies for the development of urban and non- urban areas to provide for population and economic growth and the necessary expansion of public services; develops incentive packages to attract development; negotiates agreements between developers, industry leaders and County officials.
- Evaluates all County services and implements strategies to improve overall efficiency and service. Works with County Council and other elected County officials to discuss recommendations for improving County services, operations, and programs.
- Advises Council on analysis and trends of services; makes recommendations for change as necessary. Directs and coordinates short-term and long-range work planning to include goal setting, prioritizing, funding, monitoring, and reporting.
- Develops long-term goals and long-term strategic plans in conjunction with the County Council.
- Implements action items and establishes evaluation and accountability procedures.
- Continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. Implements actions to improve services as approved by County Council.
- Organizes special projects to address organizational, administrative, and management needs.
Talent and Team Development
- Appoints Department Directors and other members of County service who serve at the discretion of the Administrator. Employs, pursuant to positions authorized and the County Code, the personnel necessary to administer County functions and services.
- Selects, employs, promotes, and supervises all personnel under his or her jurisdiction, filling all budgeted vacancies and authorized positions. Employs strategies to attract new talent utilizing innovative methods. Employs strategies to retain existing employees.
- Adjusts compensation levels per the County’s Personnel Policies and Classification and Compensation Plan. Keeps County Council abreast of the increasingly competitive talent landscape.
- Ensures that procedures are in place for County personnel to participate in standardized onboarding and orientation activities as well as on-going training/professional development opportunities.
- Coaches, mentors, and guides senior leadership staff, providing necessary training and support to accomplish goals set for their respective departments.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, or related field from an accredited college or university is required.
- Master of Public Administration is preferred. Preferred education requirements may be substituted for relevant experience.
Experience and Skills
- Local government experience at the executive level of Administrator, Manager, Deputy Administrator, Assistant Administrator, or Director of a large department for a county or municipality is required.
- Expertise in local government strategic planning, budgeting, and management is also required. Expertise in overseeing complex budgets and leading or participating in the budgeting process. Ability to lead in crisis situations and establish crisis management procedures.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent decision-making and leadership abilities.
- Technical skills and the ability to quickly learn new software and technology tools.
- Ability to follow the SC Code of Laws relating to the powers and duties for the County Administrator under the Council form of County Government.
Candidate will be required to obtain residency within Laurens County within 6 months of hire.
COMPENSATION
The salary offered at the time of hire is expected to be between $130,000 – $160,000, with the broader salary range offering long term salary growth within the role.
TO APPLY
The deadline to apply is July 27th. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the FGP team with the final review conducted the week of July 28th. Interviews with County Council will begin shortly thereafter.
Candidates must meet the requirements above in order to be considered. Questions about the role may be directed to Christin Mack, Manager of Public Sector Executive Search, at cm***@*gp.com.
South Carolina FOIA laws require the release of the finalist’s names (at least three finalists) should the County receive a FOIA request. Confidential interest will be possible early in the process; however, candidates should be aware of the FOIA requirements as the process moves towards finalist selection.
