CITY OF CLIFTON
DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASING
RECRUITMENT AGENCY FOR RECRUITMENT AND HIRING OF A
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
FOR
THE CITY OF CLIFTON
2026
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR FAIR AND OPEN PROPOSAL
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq., the City of Clifton is soliciting Fair and Open Proposals for a
Recruitment Agency to recruitment and hiring of a Municipal Manager for the City of Clifton for a period
of one (1) year from the date of contract award, with the option for up to two (2) additional one-year extensions,
subject to the approval of the Council. Proposals shall be endorsed “Recruitment Agency for the Search and
Hiring of a Municipal Manager for the City of Clifton” and delivered to Purchasing Agent Amisha Jariwala,
City of Clifton, 900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey 07013.
Due Date: May 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM
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CITY OF CLIFTON
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
RECRUITMENT AGENCY FOR THE RECRUITMENT AND HIRING OF A
MUNICIPAL MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF CLIFTON
The City of Clifton is requesting proposals to provide recruitment agency services
seeking a Municipal Manager for the City of Clifton, as directed by the Mayor
and Council for the City of Clifton, for a contract period of one (1) year from date of
contract award. All candidates are required to comply with N.J.S.A. 10:5-31, et seq. and
N.J.A.C. 17:27 as amended (Affirmative Action).
I - GENERAL
The City of Clifton is organized under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law, N.J.S.A.
40:79-1 et seq. The position of Municipal Manager is established under N.J.S.A 40:82-
2. The City of Clifton seeks a Recruitment Agency for the recruitment and hiring of a
Municipal Manager.
II – SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCY
The City of Clifton is seeking a recruitment agency to assist in the recruitment and
vetting of candidates for the position of Municipal Manager for the City of Clifton.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
The successful bidder will:
• Coordinate with the Mayor and Council and Administration to develop the ideal
candidate profile for the City of Clifton Municipal Manager position. The ideal
candidate profile will be used as a screening rubric for candidates; it will include: the
knowledge, experience, skills/ abilities, and qualities required for the position;
• Conduct an aggressive, expeditious, nationwide search for well qualified
candidates, including but not limited to marketing the position via multiple national
posting(s), conducting personal outreach to identified individuals possessing relevant
experience and qualifications;
• Coordinate with the Mayor and Council and Administration to facilitate
logistical requirements for interviews of highly qualified finalist candidates, including
the development of an interview process (questions, formats, etc.);
• Review interview results with the Mayor and Council and Administration and
if deemed necessary by the Mayor and Council, consider and recruit for additional
candidates.
• Candidates will be evaluations based upon their ability to perform the above
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requirements.
III - SCOPE OF SERVICES EXPECTED FROM CANDIDATES FOR MUNICIPAL MANAGER
a. Be the chief executive and administrative official of the municipality;
b. Compile and submit to the municipal council the tentative annual budget;
c. Execute all laws and ordinances of the municipality;
d. Appoint and remove all department heads and all other officers, subordinates, and
assistants for whose selection or removal no other method is provided in this subtitle,
supervise and control his appointees, and report all appointments or removals at the
next meeting thereafter of the municipal council;
e. Negotiate contracts for the municipality subject to the approval of the municipal
council, make recommendations concerning the nature and location of municipal
improvements, and execute municipal improvements as determined by the municipal
council;
f. See that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the municipality or its
inhabitants in any statute, public utility franchise or other contract are faithfully kept
and performed, and upon knowledge of any violation call the same to the attention of
the municipal council;
g. Attend all meetings of the municipal council with the right to take part in the
discussions, but without the right to vote;
h. Recommend to the municipal council for adoption such measures as he may deem
necessary or expedient, and make reports to the council as requested by it, and at least
once a year make an annual report of his work for the benefit of the council and the
public;
i. Investigate at any time the affairs of any officer or department of the municipality;
j. Perform such other duties as may be required of the municipal manager by ordinance
or resolution of the municipal council.
IV - MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE EXPECTED OF CANDIDATES FOR
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
Candidates for Municipal Manager shall have the following qualifications:
1. Education:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required
• Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, Public Administration) preferred
2. Experience:
• Minimum 5 years in municipal administration or equivalent senior
management experience
• Experience managing departments, budgets, and personnel
3. Knowledge / Skills:
• Familiarity with NJ municipal law, including:
• Local Public Contracts Law
• Budget and finance procedures
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• Strong leadership, negotiation, and communication skills
4. Other Requirements:
Proven record in:
• Municipal operations
• Strategic planning
• Labor relations
• Grant management or capital projects
5. Residency:
The municipal manager shall be a person, other than a member of the municipal council,
fully qualified to exercise the powers and perform the duties hereinafter set forth. He need
not be a resident of the municipality at the time of his appointment but shall become a
resident thereof within 3 months after appointment and continue a resident throughout his
period of service.
V - PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCY
The Respondent:
1. Shall provide Name, Federal I.D. number, address, phone and fax numbers of the
firm submitting the proposal and a brief description of legal background such as years in
business, size of staff and any affiliations.
2. Shall provide Name, title and address of principal/individual preparing this
response and the contact person for the RFP.
3. Shall provide Name, title, address and phone number of individual(s) to be assigned
as the Recruitment Agency for hiring a Municipal Manager.
4. Shall provide a list of New Jersey public sector entities for which the firm has
provided similar services to those contained herein, including the name, title and phone
number of the appropriate contact person within the entity.
5. Respondents must provide a comprehensive schedule of proposed fees and hourly
rates for position of the firm.
6. The Respondent may submit any supplemental information it deems important to
the evaluation of this proposal and the reason why it should be considered in the overall
evaluation of the proposal.
VI - COMPENSATION
1. Payment to the successful Respondent shall be based on the rates awarded with
monthly invoices submitted to the City.
2. All expenses and fees other than compensation as set forth above shall be actual
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Respondent without any additions for overhead,
etc. No additional charges will be billed for fax transmissions and copy costs will be billed
at 15 cents per page.
3. The Firm shall not accept any compensation for related City activities from any
source other than the fee paid by the City of Clifton.
VII - CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.