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QuickTake:
Councilors unanimously chose Bob Murray & Associates to conduct the recruitment process. It is the same company that helped Eugene hire a public works director 1-1/2 years ago.
Councilors on July 9 selected the firm that will lead the search for Eugene’s next city manager.
In a unanimous vote, the council chose Bob Murray & Associates to conduct a national recruitment, following final interviews with three firms during a work session. The company quoted the city $37,000, making it the most expensive of the final firms under consideration. The other two finalists quoted $25,900 and $30,000.
A subcommittee of councilors previously met twice to narrow the pool of search firms that had expressed interest in leading the process — from 15 initial firms, to six, and then to three finalists. The selection marks the end of the first phase of the process to replace City Manager Sarah Medary, who will retire in December.
“I didn’t find much differentiation on price or process or marketing,” Councilor Alan Zelenka said of the three finalists. “They’re all pretty much equal on that. So then it came down to, ‘What experience do they have doing what we wanted to do?’ Which is, go get a city manager for us.”
During the final interviews, councilors asked each firm about their experience recruiting for city manager jobs in college towns, the current strength of the candidate market, their most important criteria for selecting a manager, and their strategies for internal and external outreach.
In deliberations, councilors highlighted Bob Murray & Associates’ experience finding candidates for jobs in cities across the West Coast, including its work hiring Eugene’s public works director about 18 months ago, who Zelenka said ended up being a “great hire.”
The company has recruited city managers for multiple cities in California, including four in 2025 so far, as well in municipalities in Nevada, Washington, Colorado and Texas.
“The Murray firm has the most experience, especially with medium to large communities, which I think just fits in,” Councilor Randy Groves said.
City staff will now work with the firm to finalize a contract and begin recruitment efforts while the council takes a summer recess from mid-July through August.
When they return, councilors will meet individually with the recruiting firm to discuss the job posting and promotional materials. The council is expected to approve those in September.
