17 Town Manager Interview Questions and Answers

The town manager is the chief executive officer of the municipality. He or she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the town and carries out the policies set by the town council. The town manager is also responsible for the town budget and for hiring and firing town employees.

If you’re interested in becoming a town manager, you will need to go through a job interview. During the interview, the interviewer will ask you questions about your experience, your qualifications, and your goals. He or she will also want to know how you would handle certain situations that might come up in the job.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of town manager interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with elected officials and other government employees?

Town managers often work with elected officials and other government employees. These individuals may have different opinions than you, but it’s important to be able to collaborate with them effectively. A hiring manager might ask this question to make sure that you can get along with others in the community. In your answer, try to show that you are a team player who is willing to compromise.

Example: “I am comfortable working with all types of people. I believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute to the conversation. As a town manager, I would expect my staff to respect the opinions of our elected officials. At the same time, I would encourage these officials to listen to the concerns of residents. I think we can find common ground if we approach each other with an open mind.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a town manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they’re looking for in a town manager. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the most important qualities that are listed on the job description and how those relate to your own experience as a town manager.

Example: “I believe one of the most important qualities for a town manager is being organized. As a town manager, I am responsible for overseeing many different departments within the city, so organization helps me stay on top of my responsibilities and keep track of all the information I need to know about each department. Another quality I think is important is communication. Town managers must communicate with many different people, including other employees, elected officials and members of the public. Being able to effectively communicate with others is an essential skill.”

How would you handle a situation where there is disagreement among elected officials about how to handle a certain issue?

Town managers often work with elected officials to make decisions about how to handle issues that arise in their communities. Employers ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills and how you can help others come to a consensus. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to encourage the officials to collaborate and find common ground.

Example: “I have experience working with elected officials on many different projects throughout my career. I know it can be challenging for them to agree on every decision they need to make. If there was disagreement among elected officials about an issue, I would first listen to each of their perspectives and understand why they feel so strongly about their ideas. Then, I would propose some compromise solutions and see if we could all agree on one.”

What is your experience with developing long-term plans for town development?

Town managers are responsible for developing long-term plans that help their communities grow and thrive. Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience with planning projects, managing budgets and collaborating with other stakeholders. Use your answer to share an example of a time you developed a plan for a town’s growth. Explain what steps you took to ensure the plan was successful.

Example: “In my last role as a city planner, I worked with local government officials to develop a five-year plan for the city’s development. We started by conducting research on the community’s current state. Then we met with residents to discuss their ideas for growing the city. After gathering all of this information, we created a plan that outlined specific goals for improving the city over the next five years.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to implement budget cuts in order to reduce spending.

Town managers are responsible for managing the budget of their town. This question allows you to show how you would handle this responsibility and your ability to make tough decisions.

Example: “In my last position as a city planner, I had to reduce spending on public transportation because we were experiencing financial difficulties. Instead of eliminating all bus routes, I decided to eliminate only some of them. I also reduced the frequency of buses during off-peak hours. These changes allowed us to save money while still providing residents with adequate transportation.”

If hired, what would be your top priority as town manager?

This question is an opportunity to show the board of selectmen or town council what you would do if hired. It’s a chance for you to highlight your skills and how they can benefit the community. When preparing for this question, think about what you would want to accomplish as soon as you started working in the position.

Example: “My top priority as town manager would be to improve communication between departments. I believe that better communication leads to more efficient operations and improved outcomes. To achieve this goal, I would hold weekly meetings with department heads to discuss their progress on projects and any issues they’re facing. I would also encourage employees to communicate with each other when they have questions or concerns.”

What would you do if you discovered that one of your employees was engaging in misconduct while on the job?

Town managers are responsible for ensuring that their employees are performing their jobs in a legal and ethical manner. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to handle such situations if they ever arise. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to investigate the situation and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I discovered that one of my employees was engaging in misconduct while on the job, I would first meet with them privately to discuss the issue. If they were aware of the problem but continued to engage in the behavior, I would likely terminate their employment. However, if they were unaware or willing to change their ways, I would give them a warning and set up a plan to help them improve.

I believe that all employees deserve a chance to learn from their mistakes. As long as they’re committed to improving, I would do everything I could to support them.”

How well do you handle stress?

Town managers often have to make important decisions under pressure. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle stress well and still perform your job effectively. In your answer, share a time when you had to make an important decision quickly. Explain how you handled the situation and what steps you took to ensure you made the best choice possible.

Example: “In my previous role as town manager of a small community, I once had to decide between two different construction bids for a new playground. One bid was significantly lower than the other, but it came from a company with no experience in building playgrounds. I decided to go with the more expensive option because they were experienced in building playgrounds and could do so within our budget. The project went smoothly, and we didn’t have any issues.”

Do you have any questions for us about the position or company?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about the company, so be sure to ask questions that will help you understand what it’s like to work there.

Example: “I noticed that this town has an excellent reputation for its parks system. I’m very passionate about public spaces, so I was wondering if you could tell me more about how the parks department works? Also, I read that the library recently underwent renovations. I have experience managing large projects, so I’d love to hear more about how you managed that process.”

When was the last time you took on new responsibilities in order to improve your skills and knowledge?

Town managers are often responsible for managing a variety of different tasks and projects. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re willing to take on new responsibilities in order to improve your skills and knowledge. Use your answer to explain that you’re always looking for ways to grow as a professional. Explain how you’ve done this in the past, and share an example of one skill or task you learned along the way.

Example: “I’m constantly looking for ways to improve my skills and knowledge. In my last role, I took on the responsibility of overseeing all marketing efforts for our town. This was something I had never done before, but I knew it would be beneficial to learn more about marketing strategies. I researched various marketing techniques and implemented some of them into our marketing plan. As a result, we saw a 10% increase in sales over the previous year.”

We want to improve communication between town employees and residents. How would you go about doing that?

Town managers are responsible for improving communication between town employees and residents. They do this by creating a culture of open communication, encouraging feedback from the public and implementing effective internal communications strategies. When answering this question, explain how you would encourage more open lines of communication within your community.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important things we can do as a government is to be transparent with our citizens. I would start by making sure all town employees know they should answer any questions or concerns from residents in a timely manner. I would also make it clear that if anyone has an issue, they should feel comfortable contacting me directly so I can help them resolve their problem.”

Describe your process for managing projects.

Town managers are responsible for managing projects, so the interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your process. Use examples from previous experiences to describe how you plan and manage projects.

Example: “I start by identifying what needs to be done and who I need to work with on the project. Then, I create a timeline of when each task should be completed. After that, I assign tasks to team members and set deadlines for them to complete their assignments. Finally, I check in with my team regularly to make sure they’re on track and help resolve any issues or concerns.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates who may be applying for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their town. Before your interview, make a list of three things that make you unique as a candidate. These could be skills or experiences that are relevant to the position. Share these with the interviewer so they know what makes you an excellent choice for the job.

Example: “I am passionate about public service and have been working in local government for five years. I also hold a master’s degree in public administration, which means I am qualified to take on this role. Additionally, my experience managing a team of employees has prepared me for this opportunity.”

Which software programs are you most comfortable using?

Town managers often need to use a variety of software programs. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your comfort level with using different types of technology. Before your interview, make sure you research which programs the town uses and how they apply them in their daily operations. If you have experience using similar programs, share that information with the interviewer.

Example: “I am most comfortable using Microsoft Office programs. I’ve used these programs for several years now, so I feel confident applying them to my work. In my last position, I also had to use specialized accounting software. While it was more complicated than other programs I’ve used, I learned how to navigate through it quickly.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Town managers are responsible for ensuring that their residents receive the best customer service possible. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you understand how important it is to provide excellent customer service and what steps you take to ensure your customers have a positive experience with the town. In your answer, explain which aspects of customer service you prioritize and why they’re so important.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is making sure my team understands who our customers are. I always encourage my employees to get out into the community and meet as many people as they can. This helps us better understand the needs of our residents and gives us ideas on how we can improve our services. It also makes our employees more empathetic toward our customers, which leads to happier customers.”

How often do you make recommendations to elected officials about new policies or initiatives?

Town managers often work with elected officials to develop new policies and initiatives for the town. The interviewer wants to know how you approach this type of collaboration. Use examples from your experience to show that you can collaborate effectively with others in leadership positions.

Example: “I believe it’s important to have a collaborative relationship with all levels of government, including local representatives. In my last position as city manager, I worked closely with our state representative on several projects. We developed a plan to improve public transportation within the city by adding more bus routes and increasing the frequency of buses during peak hours. This was one of many successful collaborations I’ve had with elected officials.”

There is a conflict between two residents that you are unable to resolve. What do you do?

Town managers are responsible for resolving conflicts between residents. This question helps an interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation and if you have the skills to resolve it. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to solve the conflict.

Example: “I would first listen to both sides of the story and ask questions to better understand their concerns. Then I would speak with each resident individually to get more information about their side of the story. After that, I would meet with them together again to discuss possible solutions. If they cannot come to an agreement, I would schedule another meeting with all parties involved to present the solution I came up with.”