Review the complete recruitment information, qualifications and application instructions. Candidates may submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format to applyabilene@clearcareerpro.com. Questions may be directed to Mark Shrives at mark@clearcareerpro.com.
A Leadership Opportunity With Work Already Underway
When Abilene’s department leaders needed to reduce their budget requests by about $160,000, Interim City Manager Jon Quinday expected to spend a weekend working through the numbers. Before he could, the management team came back with a solution. By sharing resources, they had closed the gap without cutting operations.
That story offers a useful introduction to the organization seeking its next City Manager in Abilene, Kansas.
In Episode #92 of The Clear Voice, Mayor Brandon Rein, Quinday and Clear Career Professionals Vice President Mark Shrives join host James Groom to discuss the opportunity. This PositionCast™ explores the people behind the recruitment, the challenges that remain and the kind of experienced leader who can help the community follow through on its plans.
Learn the Organization Before Changing It
Shrives heard a consistent message during his conversations with commissioners and employees: the next City Manager should take time to understand Abilene before making sweeping changes.
Quinday describes department directors who communicate across organizational lines and look for ways to help one another. Mayor Rein connects that teamwork to employees’ personal investment in the community. Many live in Abilene and serve people they know as neighbors.
For the incoming manager, supporting that culture means listening to institutional knowledge, encouraging employees to raise concerns and creating room for practical improvements. Quinday wants employees to feel comfortable acknowledging a mistake or suggesting a better approach. He also recognizes that they need a manager who can help when a difficult decision cannot be resolved at the department level.
The role calls for adaptable leadership, sound judgment and a willingness to keep learning alongside the organization.
Keep the Commission Informed Before the Grocery Store Conversation
In a smaller community, questions about city operations rarely wait for a commission meeting. A resident may approach an elected official at a ballgame or in the grocery store and expect an informed response.
Mayor Rein emphasizes the value of a City Manager who understands which developments the commission needs to know about and communicates them promptly. Quinday encourages department directors to flag matters likely to generate public questions, while respecting the limits on what can appropriately be shared.
That communication depends on trust in both directions. Department leaders need confidence that their manager will handle information responsibly. Commissioners need clear advice, timely updates and the full picture when making decisions.
Candidates should expect relationship-building to be a central part of the job, alongside the technical responsibilities of running a municipal organization.
Turn Long-Term Plans Into Steady Progress
The conversation is candid about Abilene’s financial challenges. Mayor Rein explains that budget pressures, capital needs and equipment replacement require a multiyear approach. They cannot all be addressed in a single budget cycle.
Quinday describes a move toward a 10-year capital and equipment plan and an asset management program. He also credits the commission with making difficult decisions, including looking beyond immediate needs when considering water rates.
The next City Manager will need to carry that work forward while managing opportunities for development. The guests discuss an industrial park project with interstate access, ongoing housing projects and a comprehensive plan that provides direction for the community’s future.
Rein also cautions against measuring progress only through population figures. New housing and other investments may take time to produce visible results. The manager will need the patience to sustain long-term work and the communication skills to explain why it matters.
A Sports Complex Reflects a Broader Community Priority
A planned sports complex is one example of residents helping shape Abilene’s next chapter. Rein describes community members bringing the idea forward, followed by a collaborative effort involving elected officials, parks and recreation staff and residents.
Voters approved a sales tax initiative to support the project. The plans discussed in the episode include facilities designed to serve multiple sports and age groups, with turf outfields that can accommodate activities beyond baseball and softball.
For Rein, the project is also part of the conversation about attracting and retaining families. Reliable infrastructure remains essential, but people considering a move also want to know what their children can do and how they will connect with the community.
The City Manager’s work will span both sets of needs: maintaining core services and helping deliver investments residents can see and use.
Become Part of Abilene
Abilene is looking for a City Manager who will be visible, approachable and involved. The selected candidate must establish residency in the city, and Shrives explains that community participation was a recurring priority in his recruitment conversations.
That means building relationships with schools, businesses, civic organizations and residents. It also means being willing to answer questions outside City Hall. Rein sees those face-to-face conversations as an important way to build trust and clarify information people may have encountered elsewhere.
The episode gives candidates a sense of the community they would be joining. The guests talk about Abilene’s schools, parks, historic homes, Eisenhower legacy, Wild West history and Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. They also highlight the community’s greyhound connections and a busy calendar of local activities.
Before the recruitment discussion begins, Rein even makes a friendly case for why Abilene has a stronger claim to Dwight D. Eisenhower than his birthplace of Denison, Texas. It is a fitting introduction to a mayor who takes considerable pride in his hometown.
Explore the City Manager Opportunity
Abilene is seeking an experienced municipal professional who can support its employees, work effectively with the City Commission and commit to the community’s long-term success.
The position offers a salary range of $160,000 to $180,000. The first review of applications is November 6, 2026, and the position is open until filled.
Review the complete recruitment information, qualifications and application instructions. Candidates may submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format to applyabilene@clearcareerpro.com. Questions may be directed to Mark Shrives at mark@clearcareerpro.com.
Hear directly from Abilene’s leadership in Episode #92 of The Clear Voice. Explore the podcast at theclearvoice.net and follow Clear Career Professionals for more conversations about public service leadership and career opportunities.
About The Clear Voice Podcast
The Clear Voice is a dedicated platform for transparency and expert led dialogue within the professional and public sectors. The show serves as a vital resource for leaders who want to move past surface level discussions and dive into the real world mechanics of governance, management, and organizational growth. James Groom is the host of the program.
About Clear Career Professionals
Clear Career Professionals is a specialized recruitment and strategic consulting firm focused on the public sector. We believe that the strength of any municipality or school district lies in the quality of its leadership and the cohesion of its teams. Our team is comprised of former practitioners and retired executives who understand the nuances of public service. We provide organizations with more than just a list of candidates; we provide the strategic oversight and expertise necessary to navigate transitions, maximize taxpayer funds, and implement long term solutions.
Connect With Us
Visit our official website to explore current job opportunities or to learn more about our leadership services: clearcareerpro.com.
Follow us for more updates:
Career Opportunities: https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities/
Recruitment Services: https://clearcareerpro.com/recruitment/
Services: https://clearcareerpro.com/all-services/
Clear News:https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news
The Clear Voice Podcast: https://theclearvoice.net
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Facebook:Clear Career Professionals @ClearCareerPro
