Loveland opens nationwide search for city manager, applications due Nov. 29

Loveland has launched a nationwide search for its next City Manager, and candidates are encouraged to apply online by Sunday, Nov. 29.

Applicants can apply at go.lovgov.org/loveland-cmo-recruit. Loveland posted public-facing recruitment materials Thursday, Oct. 29. The City Council hires the City Manager, who serves as the organization's executive leader.

The city is working with SGR, which it describes as one of the nation's largest local government executive recruitment firms, to recruit candidates. The City Council appointed Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Brian Waldes as Acting City Manager on July 7. Waldes will remain in that role until a permanent replacement is hired.

Loveland plans to provide regular updates on the recruitment. Once candidates are identified, it plans to offer an opportunity for public input at a candidate meet-and-greet, as it did in a similar 2024 recruitment process. Updates are available in the news section of the city's website at lovgov.org/CityNews.

The recruitment brochure describes the ideal candidate as an executive with a record of strengthening complex public organizations and achieving measurable results, the city said. It says the candidate should be ethical, courageous and politically objective, exercise sound strategic judgment, and be committed to Loveland for the long term.

The brochure identifies these key initiatives: long-term financial sustainability, community trust and transparency, a stronger City Council partnership, collaboration across departments, and organizational stability and succession planning.

Julia Holland, Acting Deputy City Manager and Chief Human Resources Officer, said the goal of the search is shared. "Our shared goal is to recruit an exceptional leader who will provide steady leadership that will direct our organization well into the future," Holland said.