Home Jobs Town Administrator
Back to Jobs

Town Administrator - Job Opportunity at Groux-White Consulting

Swampscott, United States
Full-time
Executive
Posted: June 3, 2025
On-site
USD 200,000 - 220,000 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance coverage providing medical security and reducing personal healthcare costs
Robust retirement planning benefits ensuring long-term financial security and competitive total compensation
Generous paid time off allocation supporting work-life balance and personal well-being

Key Responsibilities

Serve as Chief Administrative Officer driving strategic municipal operations and organizational transformation
Lead comprehensive municipal financial management including budget development, procurement oversight, and fiscal accountability
Navigate complex Massachusetts general laws and regulatory compliance ensuring legal adherence and risk mitigation
Direct collective bargaining negotiations and personnel management strategies optimizing workforce performance
Establish and maintain strategic relationships with Select Board, community stakeholders, and municipal committees
Drive community engagement initiatives and stakeholder communication strategies enhancing civic participation
Lead organizational planning and development initiatives supporting sustainable community growth
Oversee municipal operations ensuring service delivery excellence and operational efficiency

Requirements

Education

at least a bachelor's degree, preferably in public administration

Experience

at least five years of prior full-time compensated executive service in public or business administration. Alternatively, at least two years of prior full-time, compensated executive service in public or business administration, along with a master's degree in an appropriate discipline

Required Skills

exceptional oral and written communication skills thorough understanding of municipal finances thorough understanding of budgets thorough understanding of procurement thorough understanding of Massachusetts general laws thorough understanding of collective bargaining in Massachusetts personnel management planning ability to establish strong working relationships with the Select Board, community, Town committees, and staff
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Municipal administration is experiencing increased complexity due to evolving state regulations, particularly in Massachusetts where recent legislative changes around housing, climate resilience, and municipal finance require sophisticated understanding of interconnected policy frameworks. Town administrators must now navigate multi-layered compliance requirements while balancing community needs with state mandates. Public sector leadership roles are increasingly requiring hybrid skill sets combining traditional government administration with private sector management techniques, as communities seek efficiency improvements and innovative service delivery models. This trend reflects growing taxpayer expectations for accountability and performance-based governance. Small to medium-sized Massachusetts communities are facing significant challenges with infrastructure maintenance, affordable housing pressures, and climate adaptation planning, creating demand for administrators who can manage complex capital projects while maintaining fiscal responsibility and community engagement.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $200,000-$220,000 is highly competitive for a Massachusetts town administrator position, particularly for a community of Swampscott's size (approximately 15,500 residents). This compensation level reflects the region's high cost of living and the sophisticated skill set required for Massachusetts municipal administration. The salary aligns with upper-tier municipal executive compensation in the Greater Boston area and suggests the town values experienced leadership.

Role Significance

Town administrators in communities of Swampscott's size typically oversee 50-150 municipal employees across multiple departments including public works, police, fire, planning, finance, and administrative services. The role involves managing department heads and coordinating cross-functional initiatives while serving as the primary liaison between staff and elected officials.
This is a senior executive position serving as the highest-ranking administrative officer in the municipal government, reporting directly to the elected Select Board. The role carries significant autonomy and decision-making authority over daily operations, budget implementation, and strategic planning initiatives. The position requires someone capable of serving as the professional counterpart to elected officials while maintaining political neutrality.

Key Projects

Municipal budget development and financial planning processes involving multi-million dollar operating and capital budgets Infrastructure improvement projects requiring coordination with state agencies, contractors, and community stakeholders Policy development and implementation initiatives addressing housing, economic development, and environmental sustainability Labor relations and collective bargaining negotiations with multiple municipal employee unions Community engagement and communication strategies for controversial or complex municipal initiatives

Success Factors

Deep understanding of Massachusetts municipal law and regulatory frameworks, as the state has uniquely complex requirements for local government operations including specific procedures for town meetings, zoning, and municipal finance that differ significantly from other states. Exceptional stakeholder management abilities to balance diverse community interests, from longtime residents concerned about character preservation to newer residents seeking modernization, while maintaining productive relationships with elected officials who may have varying political perspectives. Financial acumen combining public sector budget management with strategic thinking about long-term sustainability, particularly important given Massachusetts communities' reliance on property taxes and complex state funding formulas. Communication excellence that enables effective public speaking at town meetings, clear written communication for policy documents, and diplomatic relationship-building with various constituencies including business leaders, residents, and regional government partners.

Market Demand

High demand exists for qualified municipal administrators in Massachusetts, driven by baby boomer retirements in public sector leadership and the increasing complexity of local government operations. The specific requirement for Massachusetts municipal law expertise and collective bargaining experience creates a specialized talent pool, enhancing job security and advancement opportunities for qualified professionals.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Massachusetts municipal law expertise is absolutely essential as the state has unique requirements for local government operations including specific procedures for town meetings, zoning appeals, municipal finance, and inter-governmental relations that create legal compliance obligations not found in other states. Financial management capabilities are crucial given the complexity of municipal budgeting in Massachusetts, which involves navigating property tax limitations, state funding formulas, capital planning requirements, and union contract obligations that can significantly impact long-term fiscal sustainability. Stakeholder relationship management represents a make-or-break skill area, as success depends entirely on building trust and maintaining productive working relationships with elected officials, department heads, union representatives, business leaders, and engaged residents who may have conflicting priorities and expectations.

Beneficial Skills

Regional government and inter-municipal collaboration experience becomes increasingly valuable as Massachusetts communities face shared challenges around housing, transportation, and economic development that require coordinated regional approaches and shared resource strategies. Project management and capital planning expertise offers significant value given the infrastructure investment needs of established New England communities, particularly those requiring coordination with state agencies, federal funding sources, and complex procurement requirements. Digital government and technology implementation skills provide competitive advantage as municipalities seek to improve service delivery efficiency and resident engagement through online services, data management systems, and digital communication platforms.

Unique Aspects

The position offers direct engagement with an 'active and engaged community' which suggests both opportunities for meaningful civic impact and challenges requiring sophisticated public engagement skills, as highly engaged communities often have diverse opinions and high expectations for government performance.
Massachusetts municipal administration requires specialized knowledge of unique state laws, procedures, and funding mechanisms that differ significantly from other states, creating both barriers to entry and job security for qualified professionals familiar with the regulatory environment.
The role combines traditional municipal management responsibilities with the complexity of managing in a high-cost, densely populated region near Boston, requiring understanding of regional economic pressures, housing challenges, and infrastructure demands specific to Greater Boston communities.
The position offers opportunity to work in a historic New England coastal community with distinct character preservation challenges balanced against modernization needs, requiring sensitivity to community values while driving necessary improvements.

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 3-7 years for successful municipal administrators, with advancement often dependent on successful completion of major initiatives, budget cycles, and community development projects. The specialized nature of Massachusetts municipal administration creates opportunities for lateral moves to larger communities or vertical moves into regional or state roles.

Potential Next Roles

Town Administrator or City Manager positions in larger Massachusetts communities offering expanded scope and higher compensation Regional planning organization leadership roles coordinating multi-municipal initiatives and regional development strategies State government positions in municipal affairs, housing, or economic development leveraging local government expertise Consulting roles with firms specializing in municipal management and public sector organizational development

Company Overview

Groux-White Consulting

Groux-White Consulting operates as a specialized executive search firm focusing on public sector recruitment, particularly for municipal and regional government positions throughout New England. The firm provides comprehensive recruitment services including candidate identification, screening, and placement for senior administrative roles in local government.

As a boutique executive search firm specializing in public sector placements, Groux-White Consulting occupies a niche market position serving New England municipalities seeking experienced administrative professionals. The firm's specialization in government recruitment provides deep understanding of public sector requirements and candidate qualifications.
Based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the firm maintains strong connections throughout the New England municipal government network, leveraging relationships with town and city officials to identify opportunities and qualified candidates for senior administrative positions.
The consulting environment emphasizes relationship-building, discretion, and thorough candidate evaluation processes, with focus on matching qualified professionals to appropriate municipal opportunities while maintaining confidentiality throughout the search process.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.