County Manager – Person County, NC

Lead Person County through an important period of economic development investmentand growth while preserving its rural character.

Person County is seeking a strategic collaborative and effective leader to serve as its next County Manager. This executive leadership opportunity offers an experienced local government professional the opportunity to lead a strong organization work closely with an engaged and committed Board of Commissioners strengthen partnerships throughout the community and help shape the Countys future. The County Manager will provide strategic organizational leadership ensure the effective delivery of County Services and translate the Boards goals into action while supporting sound responsive and accountable county government.

Position Overview:

• Annual County Budget: $88.6 million FY 2027 adopted budget
• County Workforce: Oversees a workforce of 454 full-time employees and 193 part-time employees
• Direct Reports: Currently there are 14 positions: the Assistant County Manager Clerk to the Board Tax Administrator Finance Director IT Director HR Director General Services Director Economic Development Director Inspections Director Planning/Zoning Director GIS Director Emergency Services Director Public Information Officer and Health Director. Person County has a total of 28 departments and this direct report structure may change at the discretion of the County Manager.
• Governance & Oversight: Reports directly to the five-member Board of County Commissioners while working closely with County staff community partners and residents.

About the Community:

Located in North Carolinas northern Piedmont Person County offers its nearly 41000 residents a distinctive blend of rolling hills farmland forests lakes and rural character while providing convenient access to the economic and cultural opportunities of the Triangle. Roxboro the county seat offers a charming uptown area with local shops restaurants historic sites and year-round community events.

Outdoor recreation is a defining part of life in Person County. The County is home to Hyco and Mayo lakes offering opportunities for boating fishing hiking camping and enjoying the outdoors. Mayo Lake Park includes cabins camping hiking trails paddle craft rentals and an 18-hole disc golf course while Hyco Lake Parkfeatures more than 3750 acres of water nature trails bird watching pickleball and other recreational opportunities.

The community also offers a strong connection to its history arts and local culture with attractions including the Person County Museum of History Kirby Cultural Arts Center and Gallery local wineries community festivals farmers markets and a variety of parks and recreational facilities. Person County is home to North Carolinas oldest county recreation department with programs dating to the 1940s and full County funding beginning in 1961. Today Recreation Arts & Parks provides a wide range of athletic cultural community and outdoor programs throughout the County.

About the Organization Department and Position:

Person County is entering an important period of economic development and investment. The next County Manager will play a key role in guiding the organization through this period. The County is focused on strengthening its tax base addressing long-term capital needs and preserving the rural character and quality of life that define the community while navigating potential development surrounding Microsofts 1385-acre data center site continued development of the Person County Airport and the proposed Person County Multimodal Rail Trail. Major investment proposed from Duke Energy (who has been here since 1965) Enbridge and other advanced manufacturing investments and expansions are taking place that further demonstrate a priority to continue preservation of the Citys history and community culture.

The County Manager will be a key partner to the Board of Commissioners providing executive leadership and professional management of County operations. The Manager will work across the organization to support effective decision-making strong communication accountability and alignment of staffing and resources with Board priorities. With Board elections taking place in November the next County Manager will have the opportunity to build relationships with the incoming Board and help establish a strong cohesive partnership between the Board and County staff.

The County Manager is responsible for:

• Providing executive leadership and professional management of County operations.
• Supporting department heads and employees and fostering effective communication accountability and collaboration throughout the organization.
• Working with the Board County staff community partners and residents to advance County priorities and support the effective management of County resources.

Person Countys vision is to be a safe thriving and diverse community where people come to live work learn play serve and grow. Guided by the values of Community Professionalism Transparency Opportunity and Stewardship the next County Manager will provide the leadership needed to advance this vision while building on the Countys strong organizational culture and planning for its future.

Key Position Priorities:

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications:

Please note: Residency within Person County is required for this position and the timeline will be negotiated at time of hire.

How to Apply:

Please visit and click on the County Manager Person County NC title.

• If you have accessed this position from within the Government Jobs portalsimply hit the green Apply button in the upper-right corner to begin your application.
• Important: All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) NOT the Countys employment application portal or any other external website. Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
• Application Deadline: November 9 2026.
• Hiring Process Schedule: Successful semi-finalists will be invited to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on December 1-2 2026. The board will conduct on-site interviews on December 4 2026. Decisions about who to select will be made during a December 7^th meeting. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings and in-person interviews should they be invited to participate.
• Questions Direct all inquiries to .

Developmental Associates LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process visit select Client Openings and scroll down to Important Information for Applicants.