City of Helena Accepting Applications for City Manager

Published on October 10, 2025

HELENA, Mont. – On Thursday, Oct. 10 the City of Helena Commission will begin accepting applications for City Manager. The City Commission recently approved an agreement with Communication and Management Services, LLC (CMS), who will lead the recruitment process. The first review of applications will begin on November 5, 2025, and continue until the City fills the position.

The City Manager is an appointed role that provides leadership to eleven departments and approximately 380 full-time employees, as well as manages the City budget, which in Fiscal Year 2026 totaled $113.25 million.

The City’s current City Manager Tim Burton announced last week his intent to retire at the end of December. Over the past three years, Helena made significant strides under the leadership of the City Manager and Commission. Together with staff and community partners, the City established a comprehensive Strategic Plan, improved operational efficiency, strengthened financial stability, and renewed its commitment to being a transparent, high-performing organization.

The next City Manager will build on this progress and guide implementation of the Strategic Plan’s next phase. Key priorities are:

Maintain and Elevate City Services: Continue modernizing operations, expanding digital access, and upholding accountability in public communication.
Holistic Development and Housing: Streamline permitting, coordinate housing affordability and homelessness initiatives and protects Helena’s distinctive sense of place.
Infrastructure and Sustainability: Deliver on capital improvement plans, champion proactive maintenance, and embed sustainability into long-term infrastructure investments.
Employer of Choice and Culture: Strengthen workforce engagement, retention, and professional growth while sustaining competitive total rewards.
Financial Stewardship: Advance long-term forecasting, budget refinement, and capital funding strategies to secure Helena’s fiscal health.
Partnerships and Governance: Cultivate strong relationships with Lewis and Clark County, local agencies, and community partners to drive shared success.
Community Trust and Transparency: Reinforce open, responsive, and accountable governance built on clarity, accessibility, and genuine public engagement.

More information on the position, including qualification criteria and compensation, visit www.helenamt.gov/employment/.

Application Process: Candidates interested in the position should submit a cover letter, detailed resume, and three professional references electronically to the Helena City Manager Application Portal (or copy and paste the following URL in your browser: https://wkf.ms/3VOYzqG).

Or mail to:

CMS

P.O. Box 1251

Helena, MT 59624

NOTE: Candidates asserting their right to privacy should indicate their assertion in the cover letter.

The position is open until filled. The first review of applications will occur on November 5, 2025. Candidates are asked to please apply by that date to ensure consideration.

The City Manager Relations Subcommittee will conduct initial interviews via Zoom. Meetings of the Helena City Commission are generally open to the public. However, meetings to screen the candidates may be closed pursuant to Sect. 2-3-203(3), MCA, if the Mayor determines the discussion relates to a matter of individual privacy and the demands of individual privacy clearly exceed the merits of public disclosure.

The City of Helena is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, political beliefs, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or genetic information.

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