In November, Brunswick began its search process for a new Town Manager with the establishment of a Town Council-appointed Executive Recruitment Committee and the engagement of a nationally-recognized recruitment firm, Strategic Government Resources (SGR).
The town’s Executive Recruitment Committee will oversee the development of a transparent process for the selection of a new Town Manager and will work in cooperation with Jody Durisko, Brunswick’s Human Resources Director, and SGR to carry out that process. The recruitment and hiring process will include advertising and marketing the position, screening and evaluating candidates, facilitating interviews, and identifying a preferred candidate. The process will be a comprehensive effort that draws from a national pool of candidates and is projected to take three to four months to complete.
Key stakeholders in the community, along with the general public, will assist in the development of a candidate profile that establishes the desired qualities and attributes to be used in the nation-wide search.
“A survey will be available in the coming weeks,” according to Councilor Abby King, “for community members to share their thoughts on what qualities they want to see in the new Town Manager.”
Stakeholder interviews and survey results will help refine a list of characteristics and skills desired for the Town Manager. This information will be promoted in recruitment materials and used to evaluate potential candidates.
“We feel that it is critical to include the public in this process,” says Ms. Durisko, “and because of their involvement, we are confident that we will find the right person to fill the Town Manager position.”
Brunswick’s current Town Manager, John Eldridge, announced in October that he will retire on January 31, 2024. Mr. Eldridge is a 36-year employee of the town and has held the Town Manager position since 2014. Julia Henze, Brunswick’s Finance Director, will assume the role on February 1, 2024, on an interim basis until a permanent Town Manager is appointed.
