The City of Centerville is seeking a visionary, community-oriented executive ready to lead one of the Miami Valley’s most respected and financially stable communities. The City Manager of Centerville inherits a remarkable foundation: an organization that has maintained the second-lowest municipal property tax rate in Montgomery County for 46 years, a General Fund balance exceeding 90% of annual expenditures, a Moody's "Aa2" bond rating, and a community that has consistently invested in its future through strategic capital programs and deliberate, resident-focused planning. This is an opportunity to build on genuine momentum in a City that is deeply connected to the people it serves.
The City Manager serves as the chief executive officer of the City of Centerville and is responsible for the full administration and management of City affairs. Appointed by and accountable to the Mayor and City Council, the City Manager carries out Council policies, directs day-to-day operations across all City departments, and serves as the primary advisor to the elected body on organizational, financial, and strategic matters. The City Manager prepares and submits the annual budget and capital program, oversees execution of those plans, and delivers annual reports covering the City's finances, administration, and inventory. The position requires attentiveness to fiscal performance across the City's 26 separate funds — including the General Fund, Golf Course Operations Fund, and Waste Collection Fund — and ongoing accountability to Council on outcomes.
The City Manager works with a high-performing Leadership Team. The City Manager’s direct reports include the Assistant City Manager, Finance Director, Development Director, Police Chief, and Public Works Director. The City Manager also oversees the Law Director, who is a contract employee. The Assistant City Manager oversees other key department heads including Communications/General Manager of Yankee Trace and Benham’s Grove, Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology. The City has a highly engaged staff of approximately 180 full- and part-time staff members.
The City Manager works closely with the City's Law Director on preparing contracts, franchises, and agreements and partners with department directors to appoint and develop staff at all levels. The role requires sustained engagement with regional, state, and federal partners on planning, grant programs, and infrastructure investment. The City Manager is also a visible public presence, responsible for maintaining productive relationships with the business community, residents, peer governments in the Montgomery County region, and professional organizations such as ICMA and OCMA. Internally, the City Manager fosters alignment across departments on the City's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, translating four broad goals — Service Delivery and Stewardship, Quality of Life, Development, and Workforce — into operational priorities, measurable outcomes, and accountable work plans. A key ongoing expectation is ensuring the City's financial sustainability through disciplined budget management, continued capital program delivery, and proactive long-range planning for population growth and service expansion.
Priorities
The Successful Candidate
The next City Manager of Centerville is expected to be a strong, principled leader who can foster a strong organizational culture, serve as a trusted advisor to a civil and politically-stable City Council, and work effectively with highly-engaged residents, businesses, and community partners.
The ideal candidate brings proven experience as a City Manager or Assistant City Manager in a community of comparable size and/or complexity, with a track record of delivering capital programs, managing multi-fund budgets, and leading cross-functional teams with skill and steadiness. This person understands that excellence in local government is built incrementally through sound decisions, reliable follow-through, and relationships grounded in trust. Building on decades of success, the next City Manager will sustain the existing momentum and continue to implement a multi-year strategic plan that aligns with Council leadership and community expectations.
The successful candidate is an exceptional communicator who listens as well as he or she speaks. He or she can work comfortably in a council-manager form of government, tailoring information to the needs of elected officials who want candid, creative, and well-reasoned recommendations. The successful applicant knows how to navigate political complexity without becoming political and is customer-focused. Internally, this person sets a tone of openness, accountability, and mutual respect while welcoming new technology, ideas, and innovation.
This leader is a skilled leader of people and cares deeply about a healthy organizational culture. The leader empowers employees, invests in professional development, and builds environments where capable employees are inspired to do their best work. The City Manager will bring expertise and emotional intelligence to a team of highly-skilled, experienced senior leaders and will partner with them to lead the organization and build leaders at all levels.
The next City Manager has strong financial acumen and a genuine appreciation for Centerville's fiscal discipline. The candidate appreciates the City's record of responsible stewardship and sees it as a competitive advantage and a source of community pride. He or she brings the analytical rigor to manage a complex budget and the communication skills to ensure that the picture is understandable to Council, staff, and residents alike.
Finally, the successful candidate is a visible and engaged member of the Centerville community. The City Manager shows up, listens, and understands that in a community where residents trust their government, that trust must be earned and re-earned every day. Whether engaging with the business community in Uptown, attending a concert at Stubbs Park Amphitheater, or representing the City in regional and state forums, the next City Manager of Centerville brings energy, authenticity, and commitment to every interaction.
Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree and ten years of local government experience, including five years of management/supervision. Experience in a complex local government serving as manager, assistant, or in another key leadership role is also required.
Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree, ICMA-CM designation, and union experience. A proven track record in economic development and redevelopment, financial stewardship, strategic planning and implementation, high-performing team leadership, civic and business engagement, strong intergovernmental relationships, and community partnerships are also preferred. Membership and active engagement with ICMA, OCMA and other state or professional associations are highly valued.
Residency is not required but full engagement in the community and quick availability during emergencies is.
Inside The Organization
The City of Centerville operates under a council-manager form of government. The elected body consists of a Mayor and six Council Members, all elected at large to four-year terms. The City Manager is appointed by a majority vote of Council and serves as the City's chief administrative officer. All department heads and staff are accountable to the City Manager rather than to the elected body directly. The Clerk of Council serves independently of the City Manager but works closely with the administration on Council operations.
The City of Centerville employs approximately 180 full- and part-time staff and serves a population of approximately 24,240 residents.
Centerville takes particular pride in its record of fiscal discipline. For 46 consecutive years, the City has requested no increase in its municipal property tax rate, maintaining the second-lowest rate of any Montgomery County municipality at $2.35 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The City holds an "Aa2" bond rating from Moody's Investors Service, reflecting the organization's financial management practices and long-term stability.
The City's mission is clear and consistent: "The City of Centerville delivers exceptional services through thoughtful governance to ensure progress and stability." That statement is not aspirational — it describes how the organization has functioned for decades and sets the standard for the City Manager's leadership.
The 2023–2028 Strategic Plan is organized around four goals. Goal One focuses on service delivery and stewardship, including financial sustainability, technology-enabled service, and alignment of guiding documents with the City's Mission and Values. Goal Two centers on quality of life, with investments in parks, recreational programming, civic and volunteer engagement, The Golf Club at Yankee Trace, Benham's Grove, and the City's public image. Goal Three addresses development and redevelopment, with strategies for land use policy, infrastructure investment, neighborhood enhancement, and business retention and expansion. Goal Four is dedicated to workforce: recruitment, retention, employee experience, career development, and innovation.
The Community
The City of Centerville was founded in 1796 and has grown into one of the Miami Valley's most desirable places to live, work, and raise a family. Centerville is in the southern half of Montgomery County, about six miles south of Dayton. The City's proximity to Dayton, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and major highways like I-675 and I-75 make it a convenient base for commuters looking to balance a suburban quality of life with access to a major metropolitan area. Centerville offers a blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities.
The City is home to approximately 24,240 residents, with a median household income of $85,492. Centerville maintains a safe, well-planned environment with attractive neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, and strong City services. The City boasts diverse housing options, thriving business centers, award-winning public and private schools, and more than 50 parks connected by miles of hiking and biking trails.
One of Centerville's most distinctive features is its historic downtown district, known as Uptown Centerville, lined with preserved 19th-century buildings constructed from locally-quarried limestone. Uptown serves as the City's cultural and social heart, home to unique shops, locally-owned restaurants, boutiques, and seasonal community events such as outdoor concerts and holiday festivals. Landmarks like the Asahel Wright House, once home to the Wright brothers' great uncle, anchor the historic district. The City is actively investing in this area's future, with ongoing work on the Uptown Action Plan bringing new businesses and vitality to the corridor.
The Centerville-Washington Township community has a long history of demanding high-quality public schools, stressing the value of a well-rounded education and emphasizing student accomplishments in academics, athletics, and fine arts. Centerville City Schools has earned Ohio's top 5-star rating and is ranked second in the Dayton area. The district serves more than 8,200 students in Centerville and Washington Township, operating 13 school buildings and a bus facility with more than 120 school buses. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks Centerville High School in the top 10% of U.S. public high schools. Sinclair College’s Centerville campus, located at 5800 Clyo Road, continues Sinclair's mission of providing accessible, affordable, flexible education while meeting the needs of the community. The Washington-Centerville Public Library, one of the busiest systems in Ohio, further enriches the community's educational and cultural landscape with two locations in the City: Woodbourne Library at 6060 Far Hills Avenue and Centerville Library at 111 West Spring Valley Pike.
More than 1,000 acres have been preserved at 50 parks, and the Centerville area is recognized as an Open Space Community. Open space, scenic parks, and quality recreation and nature programs help make the community a special place to live. The Centerville-Washington Park District was created in 1959 by residents with the foresight to set aside areas as parks while houses and businesses were developed. Residents of all ages can choose from hundreds of recreational activities, public arts programs, concerts, and celebrations, and quality shopping, fine restaurants, and plentiful entertainment are within easy access, while 1,000 acres of green space beckon people to get out and explore.
The Golf Club at Yankee Trace, the City's municipally-operated golf facility, recorded a banner year in 2025 with more than 77,000 rounds played — the highest on record — generating $5.68 million in revenue. Yankee Trace has also been recognized as the #1 Youth on Course facility in the Dayton region, reflecting the City’s strong commitment to growing the game of golf and making it accessible for the next generation of players.
Exciting improvements are on the horizon as a master plan is underway to enhance the course, focusing on course conditions, playability, and the overall guest experience. Key elements include investments in the irrigation system, pond dredging, and bunker renovations.
Stubbs Park and its amphitheater serve as a beloved outdoor destination, having recently completed a major improvement project, and Cornerstone Park rounds out the City's signature recreational assets.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected hiring range is $210,000 – $260,000 depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits here
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at raftelis.com Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning July 1, 2026.
Please be aware that under Ohio law, all application materials submitted for this position are considered public records immediately upon receipt and are subject to disclosure should a public records request be received by the City.
Questions
Please direct questions to Catherine Tuck Parrish at ctuckparrish@raftelis.com and Kelsey Batt at kbatt@raftelis.com
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