City Manager Search
The Montpelier City Council is embarking on a search to identify and appoint the next City Manager, an individual who will play a pivotal role in guiding our city’s daily operations and long-term growth. As the chief administrative officer, the City Manager advises the Council on key public policy decisions, ensures city operations run smoothly, and translates the priorities of the Council into actionable outcomes. To assist in this highly significant task, Montpelier has partnered with Pracademic Partners, a firm known for its expertise in conducting comprehensive searches for municipal leadership.
Transparency and community engagement are central to this process. Input from Montpelier residents is not only encouraged but will be actively woven into the decision-making framework, as the City Council selects the individual who will lead our municipal organization. This project page serves as a centralized hub for updates, opportunities to provide feedback, and insight into what is happening behind the scenes. Together, we can shape the future of leadership in Montpelier.
Opportunities to Engage
Got thoughts? Share them with us!
Do you have a thought, question, or concern you'd like to share with the City Manager Search team? Use the submission box below to share your ideas with us.
City Manager Search Survey
Montpelier is beginning the search for our next City Manager, and we want to hear from you! This short survey is your chance to share what qualities, experience, and leadership style you think will best serve our community. We’d also like your thoughts on the biggest challenges and opportunities ahead for Montpelier. Your input will help guide the hiring process and ensure the next City Manager reflects our city’s values and priorities. All responses are anonymous, and the results will be summarized by Pracademic Partners, the firm supporting the recruitment. Please take a few minutes to share your perspective by September 19, 2025.
Project Phases
APPLICATIONS OPEN!
Candidate Evaluation
Candidate Selection
Project Updates
Approving the City Manager Contract
The City Council will be holding a Special Meeting to approve the contract with Kelly McNicholas Kury to be the City's next City Manager.
Candidate Hired! Welcome, Kelly McNicholas Kury
After a year-long search for Montpelier's next City Manager, Kelly McNicholas Kury has accepted the position!
Meet the Candidates Public Forum
Meet the City Manager Candidates at the Candidate Public Forum
Three Finalists Announced
The City Council just announced the three finalists for Montpelier's next City Manager!
Interviews Continue
The City Council will interview three additional candidates in mid-November
First Round of Interviews Scheduled!
The first round of interviews are scheduled for this week! Five candidates will meet the Council between Thursday, 10/30 and Friday, 10/31.
APPLICATIONS OPEN! Click Here to Apply
Applications are now open! Click here to learn how to apply.
Weekly Update for 9/12/2025
Here's a summary of work accomplished this week.
Job Description & Recruitment Brochure
Read through the job description and recruitment brochure.
Work Thus Far
A lot has been happening to prepare for the search for the next City Manager! Here's a summary of our work thus far.
Important Dates
City Manager Search Survey Opens
The public is invited to provide feedback to inform the hiring process through the City Manager Search Survey. The survey will close at 11:59 PM on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Recruitment Begins!
Recruitment is officially open. The brochure has been published and hiring ads have been placed. The application process is now open.
Applications Due
Applications for City Manager are due to Pracademic Partners by Wednesday, October 15.
Save the Date! Public Forum #1
We’re searching for Montpelier's next City Manager and your input is essential. Please join us for a community forum where you can share your ideas about what makes an excellent City Manager and what priorities matter most for our city’s future. This is your chance to tell us what traits, skills, and values matter most in the person leading Montpelier forward. Everyone is welcome, and your feedback will directly inform the search and candidate evaluation process.
Save the date! The first of two public forums will take place on Wednesday, October 15th. This will be a fully virtual session held over Zoom from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Meeting Details
WHEN: Wednesday, October 15, at 6:30 PM
WHERE: Virtually via Zoom
HOW: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88411567342?pwd=lw7LSrBCab67j99bmNVYUcm618f6Ai.1
Meeting ID: 884 1156 7342; Passcode: 419803
One tap mobile
+13092053325,,88411567342# US
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Candidate Evaluation
During the week of October 20, the City Council will review a shortlist of candidate resumes. The City Council will provide feedback to Pracademic Partners on their top 10 candidates. The top 8 candidates will be slated for interviews the following weeks.
Initial Interviews Begin
Between October 20 and October 31, the initial round of interviews will be scheduled. The City Council will be provided a shortlist of candidates for their consideration and feedback.
Candidate Assessment
Throughout the latter half of November, the City Council will score candidates along a matrix rubric to assess/appraise semi-finalists. A total of 4 finalists will be advanced to the final stage of the search process. More thorough background checks and reference information on finalists will be sought during this phase.
Final Interviews Begin
During thelast two weeks of November, four finalists will be scheduled for their second round of interviews. Once the Council has identified the top 2 or 3 candidates, finalists will also be given a small tour of the city with staff, participate in a 1-hour open discussion with City Department Leaders, and participate in a 1-hour open meeting with any City staff member who chooses to participate. After a break for lunch, candidates will participate in a 90-minute open town-hall style public forum facilitated by Pracademic Partners. Each of the three forums the finalist participates in will be messaged and marketed to the public and also staff and Department Leaders to encourage participation, and include separate QR codes for participants to share their sentiments on the candidate. Stay tuned for updates!
Decision on the Finalist
The City Council will review responses and feedback on the three finalists in December. The Council will decide on a prefered finalist to whom they will extend a conditional offer.
Employment Negotiations Begin
Once a conditional offer has been made and accepted, employment negitiations will begin with the prefered finalist. A conditional offer will subject to City Council approval, successful negotiation of terms and conditions of employment, and the sucessful completion of a final background check.
City Council to Approve Contract with New City Manager
The City Council will be holding a Special Meeting to approve the contract with Kelly McNicholas Kury to be the City's next City Manager. View the contract and special meeting agenda here: https://montpeliervt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/6387/files/agenda/11140
The draft contract is also available in the Suppoting Documents section of the main project page.