Description
LANCASTER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Lancaster County, a diverse and high growth County located within the burgeoning Charlotte metropolitan area, is seeking a strategic and visionary leader with experience managing a growing local government to become the next County Administrator. The County Administrator is Lancaster County’s Chief Administrative Officer, responsible for daytoday operations across departments under Council’s authority and for executing the policies established by the elected County Council in accordance with South Carolina law (§49630 et seq.). The Administrator reports directly to the County Council.
At 549 square miles, Lancaster County is considered a high growth community and has recently surpassed 110,000 in population. As of the 2024 Census Estimate, Lancaster County was the 3rd fastest growing county in South Carolina from 2020 to 2024, the 43rd fastest growing county in the United States, and has grown to the 573rd largest county in the United States, based on total population.
Lead at the center of growth. Lancaster County is experiencing sustained expansion while preserving the distinct identities of its urban, suburban, and rural communities. The County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan provides a clear framework for responsible growth, infrastructure, and quality services—an ideal platform for a resultsoriented administrator to make visible impact.
Personnel: 673 FTE and 762 PTE
Budget: Combined Funds = $160M; General Fund = $103M
To view the full position profile, please visit: Lancaster County Administrator
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
What You’ll Do
Execute Council policy and legislative direction. Turn Council actions into operational plans; recommend policy improvements rooted in data and best practices.
Oversee countywide operations. Coordinate the daily functions of all departments under Council’s authority to achieve Council goals and high service standards.
Lead budgeting and financial management. Submit the annual operating budget for Council approval; administer the adopted budget; provide regular financial reporting and analysis.
Strengthen people, culture, and performance. Administer personnel policies (including classification/compensation plans); hire, develop, evaluate, and, when necessary, take corrective actions consistent with state law and Council appropriations.
Build effective teams. Direct, coach, and review department leaders; maintain standards; address performance issues; and recommend promotions and salary actions.
Ensure legal and regulatory compliance. Coordinate with constitutional/elected offices as appropriate and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations.
Partner with regional stakeholders. Work closely with municipalities, state and federal agencies, utilities, the school district, and community partners to align services and investments.
Engage with the community. Respond to citizen and Council member requests; serve as a transparent communicator with media, businesses, civic groups, and residents.
Deliver professional administration. Prepare and present reports, policies, contracts, and communications that enable sound decisions and clear accountability.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal County Administrator for Lancaster County is a strategic, datadriven, and forwardlooking executive leader capable of managing one of the fastestgrowing counties in South Carolina. This professional brings deep experience in local government administration, excels at managing rapid growth, and possesses the leadership acumen to modernize operations, strengthen culture, and build trust with Council, staff, and the community.
Proven Executive Leadership: The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success serving as a chief administrative officer or senior localgovernment executive, with experience coordinating, planning, and directing the operations of multiple departments. They must possess the skill to execute Council policy, administer budgets, and oversee personnel systems across a complex organization. They are comfortable interacting with a broad array of internal and external stakeholders, including elected officials, community leaders, state/federal agencies, and residents.
Expert at Managing Rapid Growth & Infrastructure Demands: Lancaster County faces intense population growth, especially in the northern region. The ideal administrator will bring a track record of aligning infrastructure planning with growth, including roads, public safety, and schools. They must understand “smart growth” principles and be adept at intergovernmental coordination to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development. They recognize pressures along key corridors (e.g., 521) and can create frameworks for growth and infrastructure sequencing tied to development approvals.
Strength in Public Safety Service Model Evolution: Lancaster County is also transitioning from a primarily volunteer fire service to adding more paid fire service personnel and is responding to growing strain on EMS and law enforcement as the County population rises. The ideal candidate has managed similar transitions, ensuring funding, staffing, and service levels keep pace with demand—and protecting response times in rapidly growing communities.
Planning, Zoning & UDO Modernization Capability: A central challenge for the County is the prolonged and resourcestrained Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) rewrite. The ideal candidate has experience strengthening planning capacity, stabilizing staffing, and implementing disciplined, datadriven project management practices.
Balanced Economic Development Perspective: While residential development is booming, stakeholders want more jobcreating economic development. The ideal administrator understands regional dynamics—Charlotte influence, proximity to I77—and can drive a strategy that balances rooftops with employment opportunities and taxbase diversification.
Transparent Communicator & Strong Council Partner: Stakeholders consistently desire stronger communication, transparency, and shared metrics. The ideal candidate will:
Provide regular, structured updates to Council (dashboards, KPIs, priority trackers)
Communicate with clarity and candor while maintaining appropriate administrative independence
Ensure datadriven decisionmaking and consistent flow of information across departments
They must navigate complex district dynamics, balancing rural, central, and northern community needs while maintaining fairness and trust.
Culture Builder & ChangeManagement Leader: The next administrator must be able to modernize HR practices, break down silos, and introduce greater accountability—while respecting institutional knowledge and managing change at a thoughtful pace. The ideal candidate can lead a workforce with longtenured employees through organizational evolution and implement clearer goals, performance reviews, and engagement habits.
Financial & Capital Program Acumen: The ideal administrator has experience overseeing large budgets and complex capital programs. Lancaster County faces nearterm challenges including a new detention center under construction, potential regional sports complex, and the possibility of a 2027 salestax referendum. The candidate must effectively communicate capital needs to both Council and the public.
Strategic, Independent, and Resilient Leadership Style
Stakeholders are looking for a leader who is:
A strategic change agent
Transparent but decisive
Respectful and collaborative
Strong enough to “stand up when needed” while maintaining healthy Council–Administrator boundaries
Skilled at boosting morale during change and creating a sense of shared purpose
WHY WORK FOR LANCASTER COUNTY?
Scale and momentum. You’ll lead in one of the region’s fastestchanging counties, implementing a longrange plan that rebalances growth, mobility, and services.
Impact you can see. From budget transparency to intergovernmental coordination, your work will directly improve resident experience across urban, suburban, and rural areas.
A platform for excellence. The Council–Administrator model empowers professional management and continuous improvement across departments.
Requirements
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration or a related field is required for consideration.
Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience at the leadership/management level, with at least five (5) years in an organization of comparable size or complexity. The ideal candidate will have experience as a County Administrator, Deputy or Assistant County Administrator, City Administrator, or Deputy or Assistant City Administrator.
Master’s degree in Public Administration or a related field is highly desirable.
An equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to be successful in the position may be considered.
