Organization:
Town of Middleburg, VA
Location:
Middleburg, VA
Recruiter:
Anne Lewis
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The Town of Middleburg seeks an experienced, community-oriented leader to serve as its next Town Manager. Reporting directly to the Mayor and seven-member Town Council, the Town Manager serves as the chief executive and administrative officer leading a full-service municipal corporation.
Middleburg blends historic charm and approximately 700 permanent residents with an expansive operational profile. The Town operates an authorized municipal work force of 15.0 FTE (projected to expand to 16.8 FTE in FY27), a 24/7 police department, municipally owned water and wastewater utilities (with contracted system operations), a dedicated planning and zoning department, and active capital programs. The total operating budget is approximately $7.0 million, comprising a $5.1 million General Fund and a self-supporting $1.85 million Utility Enterprise Fund. Healthy reserves back the Town's operations, including a General Fund fiscal reserve policy funded above 125% of annual expenditure.
The Town Manager serves as the chief advisor to the Mayor and Town Council and the operational leader of the municipal team. Key responsibilities include leading comprehensive capital and operational reviews and serving as the primary executive liaison between the Town and Loudoun County leadership, regional authorities, and state agencies. The Town Manager leverages county-wide resources, partnerships, and shared services to maximize Middleburg's operational reach while fiercely protecting local autonomy. In addition, the Town Manager provides strategic counsel to the Mayor and Council on long-term fiscal planning, revenue diversification, economic development, and intergovernmental affairs.
The Town Manager oversees external partner, contractor, and professional consultant relationships across multiple service areas, including engineering, major capital construction, specialized municipal finance, event management, and marketing. The role demands executive-level oversight of long-range community and financial planning, including capital improvement programming, comprehensive plan updates, and the execution of the Town's Strategic Initiatives. The ideal candidate brings a high-performing executive background with proven expertise in public finance, the sophistication to leverage regional assets, and the leadership capacity to inspire and guide a dedicated, high-output team.
Investing in Infrastructure and Utilities. Middleburg's water and wastewater systems serve as the backbone of the community, and the next Town Manager will oversee critical capital investments in these aging systems. The Town recently completed updates to its water treatment plant and continues to evaluate long-term needs for utility infrastructure. Balancing system reliability, regulatory compliance, and affordability for residents will be a defining priority. The Town Manager will lead the planning and execution of capital improvement projects while working to secure funding through grants, intergovernmental partnerships, and responsible rate-setting.
Balancing Growth with Community Character. The Town's Strategic Initiatives identifies the need to guide economic balance, supporting commercial vitality while preserving Middleburg's historic small-town identity. The Town Manager will navigate development pressures from the broader Loudoun County region, working closely with the Planning Commission, the Town Council, and community stakeholders to ensure that growth aligns with the Town's Comprehensive Plan and the values of its residents. This includes managing relationships with the county and developers and providing support in the areas of planning, land use, and economic development matters.
Strengthening Community Engagement and Inclusion. Middleburg's strategic priorities emphasize building stronger connections across the entire community, including areas of Town that are underrepresented or do not often engage in Town activities. The Town Manager will expand engagement efforts to ensure that all residents have a meaningful voice in local government. This includes developing accessible communication channels, hosting community conversations, and fostering trust with the Town government.
Leading an Integrated High-Performing Team. The Town operates with a lean workforce where each staff member carries significant responsibility. The Town Manager will foster their culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth. This includes providing clear expectations, investing in staff development, and maintaining the organizational stability needed for effective service delivery. The ideal leader will continue to cultivate an environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to the Town's mission.
Navigating Intergovernmental Relationships. As a small town within a high growth region, Middleburg depends on strong intergovernmental partnerships with Loudoun County, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), state agencies, and regional organizations. The Town Manager will serve as Middleburg's primary representative in these relationships, advocating for the Town's interests. Building and maintaining productive working relationships with county leadership and neighboring jurisdictions will be essential to the Town's long-term success.
The next Town Manager of Middleburg is an experienced municipal leader with a broad background and the ability to manage the full range of local government functions in a small-town setting. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in public administration, a collaborative management style, and a genuine appreciation for the distinct character of a historic rural community. This individual is equally comfortable presenting budget recommendations to elected officials, managing a utility capital project, and engaging with residents at a community event.
The successful candidate demonstrates the ability to think strategically while remaining deeply engaged in daily operations. In a 15-person organization, the Town Manager must move seamlessly between long-range planning and hands-on problem-solving, setting organizational direction while ensuring that core services are delivered effectively every day. This includes a strong track record of responsible budget management, with experience preparing and presenting annual budgets, overseeing capital improvement programs, managing utility rate structures, and identifying creative funding strategies such as grants and intergovernmental cost-sharing arrangements.
The next Town Manager communicates clearly, listens actively, and engages authentically with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes the ability to present complex information in plain language to elected officials and the public, respond to resident concerns with empathy and follow-through, and build trust through transparency and consistent outreach. The successful candidate understands the council-manager dynamic and works effectively with a Mayor and Town Council to translate policy direction into administrative action, providing well researched options and honest professional counsel while respecting the governing body's authority to set priorities and make decisions.
Middleburg is a historic community situated in southwestern Loudoun County. The Town is home to approximately 700 residents who value its sense of authentic community and, small-town feel. As the commercial hub for southwestern Loudoun and northern Fauquier Counties, Middleburg boasts a diverse service, retail, and hospitality-based economy. Examples include the triple Five-Star awarded Salamander Middleburg, the Red Fox Inn & Tavern (America’s oldest continuously operating Inn), and the recently-opened The Boyd Bed & Breakfast.
The Middleburg economy includes numerous restaurants, boutique retail options, and locally owned businesses that support the community’s needs. Middleburg is known for its picturesque countryside, with horses and stone walls being common sights in the surrounding areas. The Bull Run and Blue Ridge mountains create a scenic backdrop that perfectly complements the Town’s charm and warmth you’ll receive.
Learn more about our Town at www.middleburgva.gov. View the organization chart here. The Town's adopted operating budget is approximately $7.1 million, reflecting an operational scale and service breadth uncommon for a community of its residential population. Meals and lodging taxes account for approximately 60% of General Fund revenues, generated by a vibrant regional tourism, hospitality, and equine economy. The Town maintains an exceptionally strong fiscal foundation, with robust operational reserves alongside healthy unassigned fund balances dedicated to long-term capital investments and infrastructure modernization.
Despite its small number of residents, the Town has a thriving business economy, balancing community-supportive needs with visitor shopping options. Businesses are highly community-oriented, working together to benefit the entire Town. This is exemplified through a very strong business association with more than 100 members and an engaged citizenry and workforce.
The Town of Middleburg operates under a council-manager form of government. The Mayor is elected at large and presides over a seven-member Town Council, which serves as the legislative and policy-making body. The Town Manager is appointed by the Town Council and serves as the chief executive and administrative officer responsible for all municipal operations.
The Town's adopted budget is approximately $7.1 million across General Fund and utility enterprise operations, supported by healthy cash positions and forward-looking fiscal policies. The Town Council has adopted its 2026-2027 Strategic Initiatives which articulate four overarching strategic priorities: Protect Our Quality of Life, Promote Community Well-Being, Guide Economic Balance, and Lead Responsibly. These priorities are supported by nine strategic goals, including completing the Asbury Church project, maintaining infrastructure, expanding community engagement with the Windy Hill communities, supporting local businesses and tourism, and strengthening financial sustainability. The Strategic Initiatives guides the Town Manager's work plan and annual budget priorities.
The organization's core values, as expressed in its strategic planning framework, include community stewardship, transparency, collaboration, fiscal responsibility, and inclusivity. The Town Manager is expected to model these values in all aspects of organizational leadership and community relations.
The Town of Middleburg seeks candidates with a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, political science, or a closely related field. A master's degree in public administration (MPA) or a related discipline is strongly preferred. Candidates should have progressively responsible experience in municipal management, with prior service as a town or city manager, assistant or deputy manager, or a department head with broad organizational responsibilities. Experience in a small to mid-size community is preferred, and familiarity with Virginia local government operations is an asset. Credentialing through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) or willingness to pursue credentialing is valued. The Town of Middleburg is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
The anticipated salary range is $150,000 to $185,000. The Town of Middleburg is prepared to consider compensation above this range for an outstanding candidate whose qualifications, leadership scope, and track record warrant it. Comprehensive benefits accompany the position.
Benefits offered include the following:
Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning November 6, 2026.
The Town of Middleburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Please direct questions to Anne Lewis at alewis@raftelis.com or 540.757.0316 or Niayla Hairston at nhairston@raftelis.com.