Invitation to Qualified Candidates INTRODUCTION Cohasset, MA (8,400), is seeking a proactive, proven community leader who is committed to organizational excellence to serve as the next Town Manager. The new Town Manager will be following a respected municipal professional Town Manager who is leaving to pursue an opportunity in another community after 12 years of dedicated service to Cohasset. The Town is a quintessential New England seacoast community located on the upper South Shore , bordered by Hingham, Hull, and Scituate , and is approximately 20 miles from Boston. The Town is serviced by the MBTA and has commuter rail service to Boston. Cohasset is a full -service municipality, with an Open Town Meeting form of government , and is led by a five -member Select Board and Town Manager who operates under the guidance and authority of the Town Manager Act of 1997. This is a politically and financially stable community. The Town’s known for its conservative budgeting practices, bot h revenues and expenditures. The operating budget fo r FY26, for the town and schools, is $61.2M, with 225 Town FTE’s , including seasonal hires. In addition, the Town has substantial reserves and an investor’s grade bond rating of AAA from Standard & Poor’s rating agency. The successful candidate will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in political science, business, or public administration ( master’s preferred); Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official designation preferred, at least five (5) years progressive municipal management, business , or not for profit experience , and demonstrated strong leadership, or relevant combination of experience and education. Starting s alary range $180,000 -$225,000 commensurate with qualifications , the Town also provides a competitive benefits package. Cohasset is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, sexual orientation), age, status as a protected veteran, status a s an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. For further information , potential candidates are directed to the Municipal Resources, Inc. website at www.mrigov.com/career or to contact Alan Gould, President, Municipal Resources Inc. , at 603 -279-0352, x320 . To apply , submit a resume and cover letter, in confidence, as a single PDF attachment to recruitment@mrigov.com by 8 AM EST on Monday, March 16th, 2026 . TOWN OF COHASSET , MA TOWN MANAGER 2 COHASSET , MA – TOWN MANAGER THE IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal candidate for the position of Cohasse t Town Manager will ha ve the following qualities and skill sets: • Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years experience in public administration, a not -for-profit organization, or in a senior business executive leadership role. Master’s degree in public administration or business administration is preferred. The Cohasset Town Manager is the Chief Procurement Officer of the community , and an MCPPO certification is desired , or the ability to attain such certification within a year is expected. • Proven record of successful financial management, annual operating/capital budget development, and expertise in grant writing with overall fiduciary responsibility of all grants. • Experience in compiling Capital Improvement Planning documents with creative funding sources and proactive debt management schedules that allows for sustainable funding sources to potentially bond infrastructure needs for large projects for both the Town and the School over the next 5 -10 years . • Strong public speaking and written presentation skills. Proficiency in the use of the various electronic media platforms to assist in communicating with the residents and officials of the community. • Recognized as a strong leader who understands the role of the Town Manager and can be a decisive decision maker when warranted, with a focus on results and positive outcomes. • Embraces the concepts of civility , transparency and professional decorum in all public settings. • Demonstrates a record of nurturing a positive culture in an organization by supporting and empowering employees. The next manager will have the skills to encourage department initiatives while holding managers accountable for their annual operations and expenditures . • Ability to work collaboratively and build consensus with many constituencies , with a focus on engaging and supporting the numerous volunteer boards and committees that play a key role in the overall governance of the community . • Manage Town affairs in an open and transparent manner while building upon the bond of t rust between the Manager, staff and elected/appointed officials . • Creative and innovative problem solver, who can find solutions to complex municipal revenue and expenditure challenges. Provide the Select Board with impartial advice and present options to the elected officials on complex matters in the community. • Articulate a vision and work with elected and appointed officials to implement positive change in the community. Must promote open and honest communication between all parties within the community . • Active participant and fully engaged in th e community and its numerous civic events. Visibility in the community is a desire of the Select Board . • Demonstrated experience in developing strong relationships with School leadership, specifically with the Superintendent and the elected members of the School Committee. • Manager who leads by example and knows how to provide leadership, support , and guidance as needed. Must champion an adherence to ethical standards and professional integrity for all staff . 3 COHASSET , MA – TOWN MANAGER A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF COHASSET Native American artifacts found in Cohasset suggest that habitation goes back as early as 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. The town’s namesake, however, derives from more recent Native Americans, who called their village Quo nahassit, which translates to “long rocky place.” The first Europeans to live here were settlers from Hingham and Wyndham, England, who arrived in the 1630s at a place they called Bare Cove, soon renamed Hingham Plantation. By the late 1670s, Hingham families began to expand into the easternmost part of H ingham, current -day Cohasset. After several decades of commuting to Hingham to attend church, school, and town meetings, Cohasset became a precinct in 1717, with the right to have its own church and school. Finally, in 1770, it was incorporated as a separate town and could now govern i tself independently of Hingham. In 1708 , the first shipyard in Cohasset was built at the harbor. By the early 1800s , five shipyards were producing schooners for Cohasset’s thriving fishing industry. The harbor was the center of business, employing a good portion of the town’s residents. The maritime industry declined by the latter half of the century as the fish supply diminished and fishing became uneconomical. Around the same time, in 1849 , the train began running through Cohasset, providing an economic and social boost to the area. Wealthy Bostonians formed a summer colony here, building the large estates that still dominate our coast. The 20th century brought notable improvements to Cohasset’s physical landscape, including Wheelwright Park, Sandy Beach, and Whitney Woods. After World Wars I and II, leisure -time activities developed, and Cohasset saw the creation of several new restaurants, entertainment venues, and organizations, many of which still exist. Cohasset is proud of its historical heritage. The Historical Commission, along with other groups, is dedicated to preserving this legacy for future generations to enjoy1. From the Town of Cohasset’s website. The Town of Cohasset is a classic New England seaside community, primarily residential with limited commercial development and a charming and picturesque downtown. The Town has a strong sense of civic pride in its historical past and values its community engagement today. Its neighbors are the Town of Hingham, Scituate , and Hull. Cohasset is ideally located, only 20 miles south of Boston, with an MBTA Commuter Rail Station and 50 miles from Cape Cod. The Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Route 3A, traverses th e Town , and Route 3 is within easy access. 1 https://www.cohassetma.gov/747/A -Very -Brief -History -of-Cohasset 4 COHASSET , MA – TOWN MANAGER THE FINANCES The successful candidate for the Cohasset Town Manager position must have a proven record of executive leadership and accomplishments in financial management in the public, non -profit , or private sectors. He or she must be fully committed to the concept of teamwork with the Town’s finance/budget team and the Select Board, Advisory Committee , and the Capital Budget Committee to achieve the Town’s financial policy goals. The biggest challenge facing the new Town Manager will be to balance the costs of providing a high level of Town and educational services at a sustainable tax rate during this time of fiscal uncertainty on the local, state, and federal levels of government. Town Meeting adopted a FY’26 municipal operating budget of $61.2M for both Town and School. The operating budget fo r the Town departments is $16.4 M, which is about 27% of the total municiapal operating budget; t he Cohasset School District’s budget is $2 4.8M, which is about 40% of the total; Shared and Manadatory Costs (health insurance, pension liability, debt, OPEB, assassments, capit al stabilization, etc.) is $20M, which is about 33% of the total. The community has a long history of conservative budgeting for both revenues and expenditures, and as a result has built up reserves to cover the fiscal challenges ahead. The Town has established several stabilization accounts, and all have healthy fund balances: general fund undesignated fund bala nce, also kno wn as Free Cash, was certified at $1.3M and $605K was used at the Special Town Meeting in the fall , leaving a balance of $656K for the Annual Town Meeting in the spring ; Community Preservation Fund is $3.7M ; Town Stabilization Fund is $6M; Capital Stabilization Funds are $2M ; OPEB Stabilization Fund is $10.5M and projected New Growth for FY’27 budget is $350K. In addition, both water and sewer operations are funded by enterprise accounts, and the Recycling Transfer Facility is funded through the general fund. Due to the Town’s conservative track record in fiscal planning and management, Standard & Poor’s awarded the Town with AAA bond rating, their highest investment grade rating. This is a notable achieveme nt for a municipality that has limited com mercial/industrial taxpayers and relies on the residential taxpayer to fund the majority of the budget. As in all communities , the budget challenges are an ongoing concern: the cost of employee health insurance, utility costs for Town and School facilities, Special Education costs, South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center (SSRECC) assessment, funding union contract negotiations/settlements, etc. The next Manager will need to be prepared to address these challenges with well thought out options. 5 COHASSET , MA – TOWN MANAGER Cohasset has 22 5 FTE Town employees, most of whom are members of five unions. The Manager oversees the Town’s personnel system and therefore plays a significant role in all aspects of personnel matters, labor relations, and negotiating/administering the Town’s collective bargaining agreements. The challenge for the next Manager will be to use their negotiating skills to balance the needs of the employees with the ability of the residential taxpayers to pay. As positions become vacant, it will be crucial for the next Manager to have a proven record of recruiting, selecting, and developing a high -performance team. The Manager should understand the value in retaining employees in a very competitive munici pal environment and guide the Town to remain competitive with its neighbors in terms of salaries and benefits. LONG AND SHORT -TERM CHALLENGES As is the case in most Massachusetts communities, Cohasset officials and their residents have struggled with balancing modest, sustainable growth while preserving the essential character of the community . The challenge is to maintain the level of services residents have come to expect in spite of inflationary pressures that exceed the ability of the community to meet its needs beyond the limitations imposed by Proposition 2 1/2. The Town has been successful in addressing many needs through judicious and st rategic planning via a well thought out Capital Improvement Program while building a conservative budget that has resulted in a stable fiscal environment for the community. Town leaders and residents have developed a strong sense of pride in the quintessential historic village character of the town center . Beautiful beaches and harbor , as well as the plentiful recreational opportunities that make up the quality of life that is unique to Cohasset need to be preserved for future generations. A challenge for the local officials is maintaining the current level of service with limited growth opportunities in the commercial sector , which make up about 6 -7% of the overall tax levy , and therefor e the burden of supporting town and school needs rest predominantly on the residential population. An immediate concern for the next Manager will be to address budget sustainability for the next fiscal year in light of the demands on local government financing limitations. The Manager will need to help guide the municipality through some difficult decisions while similarly planning strategically with staff and local elected /appointed officials on how to address th ese issue s going forward. The Town has a num ber of projects that are ongoing and will need the Manager to monitor, oversee and guide those projects to completion. The largest capital project yet to be funded , albeit one that has generated widespread community discussion , is the need for Police and Fire facility upgrades. In addition, the community is exploring MSBA consideration for future school projects and has ongoing needs for other potential significant expenditures as outlined below . The new Town Manager will have the following challenges and opportunities in the years ahead : • Police Station Facility Upgrade/Relocation • Determine the Next P hase of the Fire Station Development/Rehab ilitation • Infrastructure /Facilities Maintenance and Repair • Recycle Transfer Facility F unding • Complete Town Hall R enovations • Sustainable Financial Forecasting • Housing Affordability and S upply 6 COHASSET , MA – TOWN MANAGER In summary, the ideal candidate for Cohasset must possess outstanding verbal and written communication skills. It is impera tive that the Town Manager be able to communicate effectively with Town leaders, staff and the public. In order to do this, he or she will need to have a high level of community eng agement. It is the Manage r’s responsibility to keep the public informed, so he or she must be committed to operational transparency and possess the ability to communicate clearly and us e social media to present Cohasset ’s message. He or she must be able to leverage emerging technologies and other creative ways to promote community involvement. Customer service is a high priority for Cohasset residents , which means the successful candidate must place great value on listening and providing accurate information to all members of the community. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Much information is provided herein , but candidates are encouraged to do their own research about Cohasset and learn more about the position by visiting Municipal Resources’ website at: www.mrigov.com/career or https://www.cohassetma.gov/ . Candidates can also contact Alan Gould , President, Municipal Resourcese, Inc. at agould@mrigov.com or by phone at 603 -279-0352 ext. 320. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter as a single PDF to recruitment@mrigov.com . Applications must be submitted by March 16, 2026, 8:00 AM (EST).
