The Community

The City of Darlington is seeking a dynamic, innovative, and experienced municipal leader to serve as its next City Manager. Ideally situated in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina, Darlington is located minutes from the intersection of I-95 and I-20, halfway between Charlotte, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC.

Darlington is a vibrant community that prides itself on the preservation of its historic character, featuring five national historic districts and nearly 200 properties on the National Register of Historic Places. The city offers an exceptional quality of life, characterized by a small-town atmosphere, robust community engagement, and diverse outdoor recreational opportunities.
As the county seat, Darlington is currently experiencing a period of significant revitalization. Recent years have seen upwards of $175 million in new construction, including a new County Courthouse, a Historical Museum, substantial industrial expansion at Georgia Pacific, new housing development and comprehensive medical center upgrades. The city also serves as the headquarters for the Darlington County School District. Most notably, Darlington is internationally recognized as the birthplace of NASCAR, with the historic Darlington Raceway on its outskirts.

Government Structure & Scope

The City of Darlington operates under the Council-Manager form of government, as codified in Title 5, Chapter 13 of the S.C. Code of Laws, consisting of a Mayor and six non-partisan City Council members. The City Manager oversees a dedicated workforce of approximately 90 employees and provides executive stewardship over an $8.5M General Fund and a $4.8M Water/Sewer enterprise budget.

General Statement of Job

The City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer and the head of the administrative branch of the municipal government. Providing dynamic leadership, the City Manager directs all city departments and provides a strategic vision for future projects. The City Manager is responsible for promoting robust economic development and growth while ensuring Darlington maintains rigorous budgetary and operational standards. Accountable to the City Council for the proper administration of all city affairs, the City Manager reviews all plans for annexation, infrastructure repair, and capital expansion to ensure the long-term prosperity of the city and its communities. The individual selected for this position will be expected to adhere to ICMA/SCMA Code of Ethics and comply with all state and federal laws.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative & Personnel Management:

• Council Attendance: Must attend all regular, special, and/or emergency meetings of the City Council to provide administrative support and professional counsel.
• Personnel Authority: Appoints and, when necessary for the welfare of the city, removes appointive officers or employees.
• Compensation: In accordance with the policies established by City Council, sets salaries for such officers and employees of the city, except as otherwise provided by law or where authority is delegated to department heads.
• Direct Supervision: Provides executive oversight to all department heads to ensure city operations align with the Council’s goals for progress and growth.
• Service Management: Oversees department heads responsible for all municipal services, including Water, Sewage, Street, Sanitation, Recreation, Fire, Building Codes, and Police.
• Organizational Culture: Fosters high morale among all city employees and cultivates a professional, cooperative, and courteous work environment.

Fiscal & Budgetary Stewardship:

• Budget Development: Prepares the comprehensive annual budget and submits it to the City Council for consideration and approval.
• Purchasing Agent: Acts as the primary purchasing agent, administering all procurement rules, regulations, and bidding procedures in accordance with the policies approved by City Council.
• Fiscal Oversight: Monitors the budget daily to ensure all departments operate within their annual appropriations.
• Financial Reporting: Provides City Council with detailed monthly reports regarding purchasing, fee collections, licenses, and fines, as well as an ongoing assessment of the city’s overall financial health.
• Annual Audit: With the assistance of qualified professional, prepares and submits a comprehensive annual financial report detailing the finances and administrative activities of the city at the conclusion of each fiscal year.

Executive Leadership & Strategic Communication:

• Council Relations: Prioritizes transparent and frequent communication with the Mayor and City Council members to keep them fully apprised of all city functions. Provides professional advice on the passage of city ordinances, resolutions, and policies (in a non-voting capacity).
• Community Engagement: Actively engages with the community, developing and maintaining relationships with civic organizations, community and civic leaders, and the general public to maintain goodwill and project a distinguished city image.
• Public Relations: Professionally and tactfully manages requests, suggestions, and grievances from personnel and the public to ensure continued community trust.
• Legislative Compliance: Ensures the faithful execution of all city ordinances and state laws.

Performance Indicators:

• Analytical Judgment: Identifies emerging issues and utilizes analytical skills to resolve them efficiently. Seeks expert counsel and conducts thorough research to weigh potential consequences before implementation.
• Initiative: Maintains a self-starting, proactive approach to anticipate the city’s needs and initiate proper direction.
• Communication Excellence: Demonstrates exceptional verbal and written communication skills when interacting with the public, staff, elected officials, and external organizations.
• Safety & Compliance: Adheres to all safety standards and ensures strict compliance with OSHA CFR 1910 to maintain a safe and clean working environment throughout the city.

Minimum Training and Experience:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a related field. Possession of a Master of Public Administration (MPA) or HR certification is highly desirable.
• Experience: A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal management or municipal purchasing is preferred.
• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and relevant executive experience may be considered, with advanced education substituting for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• License and Certifications: Must possess valid South Carolina driver’s license or obtain the same within thirty (30) days of hire.

Required Physical Capabilities and Duties

This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Compensation and Application Details:

• Salary: Starting base between $120,000 – $150,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications (DOE). Eligible for incentive compensation at the discretion of City Council and fringe benefits as generally provided to all City employees.
• Hours: This is an exempt, professional position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). While standard business hours of the City are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., the nature of this executive role requires a flexible schedule. The City Manager is required to work beyond standard hours, including mandatory attendance at evening council meetings, weekend events, and emergency response sessions as circumstances dictate.
• Benefits: The city provides a comprehensive municipal benefits package.
• Residency: Residency within the City of Darlington is highly desirable and will be a point of negotiation with the successful candidate.

To Apply: Please submit a letter of interest, a professional resume, and three professional references to Gloria Pridgen at P.O. Box 57, Darlington, SC 29532, or via email at gpridgen@cityofdarlington.com.

This position will remain open until filled.

City of Darlington Job Application: CLICK HERE

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Darlington is an equal opportunity employer.