City Manager

Sumter Local Government Consulting is pleased to be assisting Forest Park, GA in conducting a recruitment for their next City Manager. The City of Forest Park is the largest municipality in Clayton County, Georgia, and occupies a strategically significant position within the Atlanta metropolitan region. Forest Park is a diverse and resilient community with a strong sense of identity and civic pride.

Residents value accessible leadership, visible progress, and a city government that delivers services professionally, equitably, and transparently. The community expects its leadership to be responsive, accountable, and focused on results that enhance quality of life while maintaining affordability and neighborhood stability. Forest Park operates under a Council–Manager form of government, with an elected mayor and city council responsible for setting policy direction and a professionally appointed city manager responsible for administration and execution.

The city manager is expected to serve as a trusted, independent professional advisor, providing candid counsel, sound judgment, and steady leadership while respecting the governing body’s policy‑making authority. This governance environment requires a city manager who clearly understands role clarity and professional boundaries. The governing body expects a city manager who can translate policy direction into action, keep initiatives moving forward, and maintain organizational stability in a dynamic environment.

The City of Forest Park is seeking an experienced, confident, and highly capable municipal executive to serve as its next city manager. This position represents a significant leadership opportunity to guide a city that is financially stable, strategically located, and positioned for continued growth. Reporting directly to the mayor and city council, the city manager serves as the city’s chief administrative officer and is responsible for overall leadership, management, and coordination of municipal operations.

The city manager ensures effective service delivery, sound financial stewardship, organizational accountability, and adherence to professional governance standards. The city is seeking a city manager who will expand upon an agenda already in progress. This is not a transitional or caretaker role. Rather, it is an opportunity for a seasoned executive to build on existing momentum, strengthen internal systems, and ensure that adopted plans and initiatives move from concept to execution.

• Proven senior‑level leadership experience in municipal or comparable public‑sector organizations
• Strong financial acumen and experience overseeing complex budgets and operations
• A leadership style that is decisive, diplomatic, and grounded in accountability
• The ability to work effectively with the mayor and city council while maintaining professional independence
• High emotional intelligence, political awareness, and sound judgment
• A reputation for integrity, transparency, and ethical leadership
• A commitment to mentoring department directors and building organizational capacity

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For more information on this position, including supplementary documents and resources, visit the recruitment webpage at:  The first round of resume reviews will take place on March 27, 2026. Please refrain from contacting the City of Forest Park’s staff or elected officials. Please direct inquiries to Sumter Consulting.

Contact the Executive Recruiter with any questions or concerns:

Name:
Warren Hutmacher Email: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Phone: 404‑535‑0525

Website: