City Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
City Manager roles sit squarely within H-1B visa specialty occupation territory, requiring a bachelor's degree in public administration, political science, or a related field. Most positions are with municipal governments, which file LCAs and I-129 petitions through USCIS just like private employers. Cap-exempt status does not apply here unless the city contracts with a qualifying institution.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT THIS POSITION
The City of Phoenix seeks a knowledgeable and collaborative leader to fill the position of Deputy City Manager. This executive-level position works under the general direction of the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager(s) and is assigned to lead departments and their management teams toward the achievement of their organizational objectives and the objectives of the city as a whole. Assigned departments are rotated from time to time among several Deputies, so the successful candidates must be capable of providing direction in a variety of municipal services and programs.
The Deputy City Manager consults with and advises the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager(s) about community and program needs, works closely with the City Council, prepares and presents programs for approval by the City Manager and City Council, works as a member of the City Manager’s executive team to ensure effective and seamless delivery of City programs and services, oversees the implementation of complex projects, and coordinates the development of the annual budget for assigned departments and functions. Deputy City Managers meet and correspond with various residents, professionals, businesses, governmental agencies, and other groups to resolve complex issues and problems, to respond to questions and requests, and to secure their input and support in carrying out various programs.
This is a non-classified position and is not covered under the Civil Service rules.
This recruitment may be used to fill other vacancies across the City of Phoenix.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate should be able to effectively communicate with the City Council, the public and all levels of the organization; excellent oral, written, presentation and listening skills will be essential. This person needs to be an innovative leader with the ability to solve problems, think strategically, identify alternative courses of action and provide recommendations. The ideal candidate should be thoughtful, effective and responsive with an ability to identify community and organizational needs through an equity lens. Analytical skills and the ability to effectively use data to make decisions and relay information are essential, including the ability to communicate complex data in understandable terms.
The ideal candidate should have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to build strong relationships with the City Council and across the organization. This person should be able to create a positive atmosphere for employees in the organization and must adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards, display transparency, and commit to PHXRespect.
SALARY
Hiring and Pay Range: $256,796.80 to $351,755 annually.
Pay Range Explanation:
- Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
- Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
- The City contributes 9% of salary into 457/401(a) plans with no matching required. $6,000/annual car allowance and $1,440/annual cell phone allowance.
BENEFITS
A comprehensive Executive benefits package is offered which includes:
- Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, for more details: Pension Information
- 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
- Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
- Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
- Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
- Dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Employer paid long-term disability
- Free Bus/light rail pass
- Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
- Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
- Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ten years of experience in municipal management positions with authority for program direction and budget administration, or coordination and supervision of such functions.
- Master's degree in public or business administration, engineering or a related field.
- Other combinations of experience and education which meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
- All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
- Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:
- Experience managing and/or advising on broad organizational programs and services in a large urban environment.
- Experience working with elected officials to implement programs and policy.
- Experience leading organizational innovation and change.
- Experience working effectively with a diverse community to anticipate and resolve problems.
- Experience developing diverse management teams and leading them to accomplish ambitious goals.
- Experience evaluating the effectiveness of programs and service delivery in meeting the needs of all customers.
Only the highest qualified applicants will be considered.
RECRUITMENT DATES
Recruitment closes November 23, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.
This recruitment and any interview process as a result of this recruitment may be used by multiple hiring managers and multiple departments throughout the City to fill any related current or future vacancies; other recruitments and appropriate eligible lists may also be considered.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
- Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
If you are in need of computer resources, for free options.
Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance, for more information.
Explore other Employment Opportunities with the City of Phoenix.
Subscribe to receive e-mail notifications about new employment opportunities.
If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
REFERENCE
Deputy City Manager (NC), JC:06080, ID# 63499, 11/06/2026, USM, MA, Benefits: Executive
Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.
DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork
City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.
ABOUT THIS POSITION
The City of Phoenix seeks a knowledgeable and collaborative leader to fill the position of Deputy City Manager. This executive-level position works under the general direction of the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager(s) and is assigned to lead departments and their management teams toward the achievement of their organizational objectives and the objectives of the city as a whole. Assigned departments are rotated from time to time among several Deputies, so the successful candidates must be capable of providing direction in a variety of municipal services and programs.
The Deputy City Manager consults with and advises the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager(s) about community and program needs, works closely with the City Council, prepares and presents programs for approval by the City Manager and City Council, works as a member of the City Manager’s executive team to ensure effective and seamless delivery of City programs and services, oversees the implementation of complex projects, and coordinates the development of the annual budget for assigned departments and functions. Deputy City Managers meet and correspond with various residents, professionals, businesses, governmental agencies, and other groups to resolve complex issues and problems, to respond to questions and requests, and to secure their input and support in carrying out various programs.
This is a non-classified position and is not covered under the Civil Service rules.
This recruitment may be used to fill other vacancies across the City of Phoenix.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate should be able to effectively communicate with the City Council, the public and all levels of the organization; excellent oral, written, presentation and listening skills will be essential. This person needs to be an innovative leader with the ability to solve problems, think strategically, identify alternative courses of action and provide recommendations. The ideal candidate should be thoughtful, effective and responsive with an ability to identify community and organizational needs through an equity lens. Analytical skills and the ability to effectively use data to make decisions and relay information are essential, including the ability to communicate complex data in understandable terms.
The ideal candidate should have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to build strong relationships with the City Council and across the organization. This person should be able to create a positive atmosphere for employees in the organization and must adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards, display transparency, and commit to PHXRespect.
SALARY
Hiring and Pay Range: $256,796.80 to $351,755 annually.
Pay Range Explanation:
- Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
- Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
- The City contributes 9% of salary into 457/401(a) plans with no matching required. $6,000/annual car allowance and $1,440/annual cell phone allowance.
BENEFITS
A comprehensive Executive benefits package is offered which includes:
- Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, for more details: Pension Information
- 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
- Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
- Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
- Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
- Dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Employer paid long-term disability
- Free Bus/light rail pass
- Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
- Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
- Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ten years of experience in municipal management positions with authority for program direction and budget administration, or coordination and supervision of such functions.
- Master's degree in public or business administration, engineering or a related field.
- Other combinations of experience and education which meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
- All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
- Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:
- Experience managing and/or advising on broad organizational programs and services in a large urban environment.
- Experience working with elected officials to implement programs and policy.
- Experience leading organizational innovation and change.
- Experience working effectively with a diverse community to anticipate and resolve problems.
- Experience developing diverse management teams and leading them to accomplish ambitious goals.
- Experience evaluating the effectiveness of programs and service delivery in meeting the needs of all customers.
Only the highest qualified applicants will be considered.
RECRUITMENT DATES
Recruitment closes November 23, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.
This recruitment and any interview process as a result of this recruitment may be used by multiple hiring managers and multiple departments throughout the City to fill any related current or future vacancies; other recruitments and appropriate eligible lists may also be considered.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
- Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
If you are in need of computer resources, for free options.
Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance, for more information.
Explore other Employment Opportunities with the City of Phoenix.
Subscribe to receive e-mail notifications about new employment opportunities.
If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
REFERENCE
Deputy City Manager (NC), JC:06080, ID# 63499, 11/06/2026, USM, MA, Benefits: Executive
Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.
DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork
City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.
See all City Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new City Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a City Manager
Document your public administration credentials early
USCIS requires a direct nexus between your degree field and the City Manager role. A degree in business or political science typically qualifies, but gather official transcripts and a credential evaluation now if your degree is from outside the U.S.
Target charter cities over council-manager governments
Charter cities with strong executive structures are more likely to have HR teams experienced in sponsoring specialty occupation workers. Council-manager cities with smaller budgets often lack in-house counsel to navigate the LCA and I-129 filing process.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsoring municipalities
Municipal employers rarely advertise their LCA filing history on job boards. Migrate Mate surfaces verified sponsorship data for government employers by role, so you can target cities that have already completed this process for similar positions.
Confirm the prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
City Manager salaries vary widely by population size. Cross-reference any offer against the OFLC Wage Search for your metro area and experience level. The LCA must certify the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage, and a shortfall kills the application.
Prepare for the specialty occupation question upfront
Some USCIS adjudicators question whether City Manager roles meet specialty occupation standards. Have your employer document that the position routinely requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, using the O*NET occupation profile and local job postings as supporting evidence.
Ask HR if PERM is on the table from day one
Municipal employers sometimes bundle H-1B sponsorship with a PERM labor certification timeline, especially for hard-to-fill executive roles. Knowing whether the city will support a green card pathway before you sign helps you plan your long-term status without gaps in authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a City Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, City Manager qualifies as a specialty occupation when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in public administration, political science, urban planning, or a closely related field. The employer must document this requirement in the Labor Condition Application. USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence if the job description is too broad, so precise language in the posting matters.
Can a municipal government sponsor an H-1B for a City Manager?
Municipal governments are standard H-1B employers and must follow the same LCA and I-129 filing process as private companies. They are not cap-exempt unless they formally affiliate with a qualifying university or nonprofit research institution. Most cities file through USCIS as cap-subject employers, meaning the annual cap and selection process applies.
What degree does USCIS expect for a sponsored City Manager position?
USCIS expects a bachelor's degree or higher in public administration, political science, urban planning, public policy, or business administration. Degrees in unrelated fields create specialty occupation risk even with years of relevant experience. If your degree is from outside the U.S., a credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization is required to establish equivalency.
How do I find City Manager roles where the employer is open to visa sponsorship?
Most municipal job postings don't advertise sponsorship willingness, and government HR departments are often unfamiliar with the process. Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA filing history for public administration roles, letting you focus your search on cities that have already navigated sponsorship for similar positions.
Is TN visa status an option for City Manager roles?
No. City Manager is not on the USMCA profession list that governs TN visa eligibility, so Canadian and Mexican nationals cannot use TN status for this role. H-1B is the primary nonimmigrant path. Canadian and Mexican nationals who qualify should pursue H-1B through the same cap-subject process as all other nationalities.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored City Manager jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.