Description
A Unique Opportunity
Known for its outstanding quality of life and small-town setting, the Town of Los Altos Hills is seeking an accomplished executive to become its new City Manager. The City Council is looking for a candidate who would be a good fit for the community, a strong leader for Town staff, and a successful partner with City Council. This top professional is expected to have strong leadership skills, effective interpersonal and communication skills, and a strong passion for public service. The selected City Manager will also need to have an inclusive management style combined with a hands-on approach to day-to-day operations. A thorough understanding of municipal finance, community planning, and public works is of high importance to the City Council.
This leader will thrive in an environment that embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and approach to local government, sets high expectations, and demands a high level of customer service and responsiveness. Additionally, this top executive will be a collaborative leader with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Known as a “people person,” this individual will value collaboration and strive for best practices in the delivery of services, while at the same time, invite and encourage community engagement. An open and approachable leadership style is strongly desired in order to relate well to a broad spectrum of stakeholders including elected officials, town commissions and committees, and an active community. This leader will welcome input and value contributions from all sources yet be able to guide the policymakers with a strong sense of purpose.
Ideal Candidate
The City Council is seeking a strategic, experienced, and innovative manager to employ a team approach to proactively address issues that impact the community. The new City Manager will also embrace the culture of the organization and continue to promote the values held by the community for responsive and efficient delivery of services. Approachability, attention to detail, patience, responsiveness, and follow-through are the absolute key to success in this community.
The City Manager will need to effectively develop and propose initiatives and creative solutions for the City Council’s consideration and adoption. The City Council desires a manager who enjoys working in the public sector and appreciates contributions from all sources within the organization as well as the engaged community. Additionally, the City Manager will be expected to foster an open dialogue and strong lines of communication with staff and City Council. Having a City Manager who is respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and professional is also very important to the City Council. The City Manager should have unquestioned personal integrity, honesty, and strong ethics.
The ideal candidate will also possess the following characteristics:
Genuine concern and appreciation for preserving the quality of life presently enjoyed by residents of Los Altos Hills;
Results-driven approach to municipal finance, public safety, and all aspects of municipal service delivery;
Appreciation for exceptional customer service, effective and efficient operations, transparency, service delivery that exceeds community expectations, and overall community access;
Open and accessible style that promotes candid discussions among Staff, Council, Commissions and Committees and encourages the review of options and alternatives for the City Council’s consideration;
Ability to provide leadership to both the City Council and staff with the ability to set goals and objectives, motivate others, and contribute effectively to their timely achievement and successful performance; and
Comfortable with and proficient in using technology.
The new City Manager will provide strong leadership and be primarily involved in:
Balancing an array of community needs including continuing the high-level of transparent, frequent, and open communications;
Addressing ongoing infrastructure needs, service delivery, public safety, and overseeing overall enhancements through effective planning and community development; and
Establishing constructive relationships among the City Manager, staff, Council, commissions, committees and the community.
Benefits
The annual salary range for the City Manager is competitive, negotiable, and dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The annual base salary for the previous City Manager was $303,960. The Town of Los Altos Hills also offers an attractive benefits package, to include:
Retirement: Participation in the CalPERS Retirement System.
CalPERS Medical Insurance: Town contribution covering many of the CalPERS health plan options available for employee and eligible dependents.
Dental and Vision Plans: Town paid dental and vision plans for employee and eligible dependents.
Life Insurance: Town paid life and accident death and dismemberment insurance equal to $300,000.
Long-Term Disability Insurance: Town paid Long Term Disability insurance.
Short-Term Disability Plan: Employee pays participation in short-term State Disability.
Holidays: Employee will have 11 paid holidays per year and 3 floating holidays.
Vacation: Vacation accrual 12 to 20 days a year.
Sick Leave: Sick days accrual of 12 days a year.
Administrative Leave: Administrative Management accrual of 12 days a year.
Auto Allowance: Negotiable.
Deferred Compensation Plan: Town offers voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan with a 4% match.
Further details can be obtained through discussions with Ralph Andersen & Associates.
Special Instructions
Interested candidates should apply by submitting a compelling cover letter, comprehensive resume, and five professional references via email to apply@ralphandersen.com no later than Monday, March 16, 2026.
This is a confidential recruitment and will be handled accordingly throughout the various stages of the process. Candidates should be aware that references will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.
Confidential inquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Fred Wilson, Ralph Andersen & Associates, at (916) 630-4900.