City Manager

City Manager Position – City of Ball Ground, Georgia

The City of Ball Ground, Georgia is in northern Cherokee County at the foothills of the North Georgia mountains. The city is seeking applicants for the position of City Manager to replace the long-term city manager who will be retiring in June of 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to help lead a dedicated staff that strive and desire for the city to be successful and provide quality services to our community.

The city has a history deeply rooted in Native American culture, early expansion of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, and the marble industry. Incorporated in 1883, the city has preserved its small-town character while positioning itself as an attractive destination for families, businesses, and visitors. Ball Ground is a community of 3,500 residents who value its walkable streets, beautiful parks, historic downtown district, and close-knit neighborhoods.

The City of Ball Ground operates under a council–manager form of government, a professional and balanced structure that blends focused policy leadership with expert administrative management. The city is governed by an elected Mayor and five elected Council members, all chosen at large by the city’s voters to represent the city.

The City Manager should be a forward-thinking, collaborative, and experienced professional. This position is the chief administrative officer for the City, responsible for guiding day-to-day operations across all municipal departments including a police department and carrying out the policies and priorities established by the Mayor and City Council. Ball Ground has combined annual budgets of approximately 7.5 million dollars.

The City Manager provides strategic leadership, manages the preparation and administration of the annual budget, and ensures that public services are delivered efficiently and responsibly. The role also acts as a vital link between elected officials and city staff, promoting open communication, teamwork, and a culture of transparency and ethical governance throughout the organization.

The successful candidate should possess a proven record for successfully leading city departments, department heads, and line personnel. A strong background in planning, zoning, water, sewer and stormwater is highly desirable for this position.

The ideal candidate must have:

• ·         A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in public administration, Political Science, Business Administration, or a closely related field (a master’s degree is preferred).
• ·         At least 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in municipal government or public administration.
• ·         Demonstrated experience in budgeting, personnel management, project management, and policy implementation.
• ·         Strong knowledge of municipal government operations, including public works, public safety, finance, planning, zoning, water, sewer and stormwater, and community development is highly desirable for this position.
• ·         Proven ability to work effectively with elected officials, staff, community members, and external stakeholders.
• ·         Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Salary
The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

Health, Dental, Vision, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability funded by the city for employees only, participation in the Georgia Municipal Association Defined Benefit Plan, medical flexible spending account and access to a non-matching 457 plan.

Please email resume to Ewilmarth@ballgroundga.gov by 4:00 PM on February 26th, 2026. Please include (City Manager) in the subject line. Resumes may also be sent to the City of Ball Ground, ATTN: City Manager, PO Box 285, Ball Ground, GA 30107. For additional information you may also contact Eric Wilmarth at the email address listed.