TOWN OF MANCHESTER, CT – GENERAL MANAGER POSITION PROFILE

Community Survey

The Board of Directors has appointed a Search Committee and hired GovHRUSA to conduct the recruitment and selection process for hiring Manchester's next General Manager. The Board and Search Committee believe it is important to solicit feedback from the community and organizations regarding the characteristics and traits the new General Manager should possess as well as the opportunities and challenges they may face in that role.

Your time completing the following survey is appreciated. Please provide responses to the questions by September 24, 2021. All of your responses will remain confidential as they will be submitted directly to GovHRUSA, the consultants.

Question Title

* 1. Are you a resident of the Town of Manchester, CT?

Resident

Non-resident

Question Title

* 2. What type of leader should Manchester have as its next General Manager? (Please select your 3 top choices)

Inspirational – Cares about Manchester and all of its residents.

Approachable – Out in the community and will listen.

Visionary – Sees the "Manchester of the Future"

Courageous – Will be honest, even if it is difficult.

Empathetic – Seeks to understand how others feel, even if they have not had the same experience.

Communicative – Will regularly communicate with all parts of the community.

Trustworthy – Will do what was promised to do.

Collaborative – Wants to work with others to solve problems.

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* 3. Which of the following management styles do you believe are essential for the General Manager to successfully lead Manchester? (Please select your 3 top choices.)

Strategic –Can plan and implement programs and other Town initiatives.

Decisive – Can make difficult decisions and stand by their decision.

Collaborative – Regularly seeks out other opinions and perspectives including those that differ from their own.

Coaching – Develops employees and help them succeed.

Innovative –Looks for new ways to solve problems.

Team Oriented – Will work with Town employees and residents on ways to solve issues facing the Town.

Transparent – Will make every effort to communicate the actions of the town to the appropriate constituencies.

Accountable – Respects and demonstrates that the General Manager is answerable to the Board of Directors and the town’s various stakeholders.

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* 4. Which of the following abilities and skills do you believe are most essential to perform the work of the General Manager? (Please select your top 3 choices.)

Skill in conflict resolution

Skill in municipal finance and budgeting

Skill in building on and expanding the Town’s tax base

Ability to work with a Board that has differing opinions and perspectives

Ability and desire to really listen

Ability to work together and openly with members of the community

Ability to build diverse workforce teams within the organization

Ability to remain focused on the Town's long term goals

Ability to challenge the status quo

Ability to view issues through a racial equity lens

Question Title

* 5. Which of the following opportunities/challenges should the new General Manager prioritize as they enter the position? (Please select your top 5 choices.)

Charter Review

Federal American Rescue Plan Act Funding

Broad Street Development Project

Library Modernization

Civilian Police Review & Relations Board

Repurposing vacant municipal and commercial buildings in town

Growing the tax base, especially in Downtown and Mall areas

Expanding cultural events like Juneteenth Day

Capital investments that foster economic development

Closing the landfill

Moving forward with diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts

Recovery from impacts of the COVID Pandemic

Expanding affordable housing for low and moderate-income households

Expanding health care for residents with mental health and/or substance abuse challenges

Implementation of a sustainability plan for the community

Address the perception of the Manchester Police Department Services

Implementation of sustainability measures

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 6. Do you have any other comments related to the recruitment for Manchester's next General Manager?

Results of this survey may be subject to public disclosure. Individual responses are confidential.