Executive Recruitment Services for the Position of City Manager

Location:	Illinois
Posted:	Feb 27, 2026
Due:	Mar 20, 2026
Agency:	City of Elmhurst Illinois
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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City of Elmhurst

Request for Proposals

Executive Recruitment Services for the

Position of City Manager

City of Elmhurst

209 N. York Street

Elmhurst, IL 60126

HR@elmhurst.org

(630) 530.3770

Issue Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Last Date for Questions: Friday, March 6, 2026, at Noon (CST)

Due Date: Friday, March 20, 2026, no later than 5:00 p.m. (CST)

Section 1. Request for Proposals

City of Elmhurst

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Executive Recruitment Services for the Position of City Manager

The City of Elmhurst is seeking proposals from professional executive consulting search firms

for the recruitment and selection of a City Manager. The City is seeking a highly qualified and

experienced executive search firm with a strong background in local government and City

Manager searches.

Located in DuPage County, the City of Elmhurst (“City”) is home to over 45,000 residents and

serves as a vibrant hub in Chicago’s western suburbs. Elmhurst is widely recognized for its

award-winning schools, expansive parks, and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities. The

community offers a rich cultural landscape with renowned museums, public art, and year-round

events that celebrate its heritage and creativity. Elmhurst’s commitment to quality of life is

evident in its tree-lined streets, diverse housing styles, and well-maintained public spaces.

Elmhurst is a home-rule municipality operating under the council-manager form of

government. Elmhurst’s City Council is comprised of the Mayor and 14 Aldermen, who

represent the City’s seven wards and are elected for four-year terms. While the City Clerk and

Treasurer are also elected, they do not have voting authority.

This structure supports responsive, community-focused governance and allows for local control

over key policy decisions. Community involvement is a defining feature of life in Elmhurst, with

active participation in schools, neighborhood associations, and City initiatives. The dynamic City

Centre and thriving commercial districts further underscore Elmhurst’s welcoming, engaging,

and forward-thinking spirit.

The City Manager serves as the chief executive officer and administrative head of the City of

Elmhurst. This high-level position is responsible for the efficient administration and oversight of

all municipal departments and services. The City Manager will plan, develop, implement, and

manage City programs, policies, and services, ensuring compliance with City ordinances and

statutes. This role involves supervising municipal staff, managing budgets, and working closely

with the City Council to advance City objectives. The City employs over 300 full-time and part-

time employees in the following City departments: Administration, Community Development,

Finance, Fire, History Museum, Human Resources, Information Technology, Police and Public

Works.

Project Description

The City of Elmhurst seeks to engage the services of an experienced, engaged and reputable

executive firm to assist in the recruitment and selection process for the position of City

Manager. The firm selected will work closely with the Mayor and City Council to identify,

evaluate and recommend highly-qualified candidates for this key leadership role.

Scope of Services

The selected firm shall provide comprehensive recruitment services that include, but are not

limited to, the following:

 Advise the Mayor and City Council on salary, benefits, and market competitiveness,

including best practices for compensation and employment agreements

 Design and implement a regional/national advertising and outreach campaign; ensure

the position is advertised and posted in a timely manner; create marketing materials

 Leverage their networks to identify, contact, and encourage strong candidates to apply

 Provide access to qualified candidates who are not actively seeking new roles

 Accept and review applications, conduct screening interviews, and compare candidates

to the established profile

 Serve as a neutral resource for candidates interested in discussing the position

 Lead contract negotiations between the selected candidate and Mayor and City Council

 Provide regular updates to Mayor and City Council, as needed

 Attend meetings in-person and virtually, as needed

City staff will be responsible for the following:

 Provide City information to the firm to create marketing materials

 Coordinate interviews with the Mayor and City Council; provide onsite assistance during

interviews

Proposal Assumptions

The purpose of the proposal is to demonstrate the qualifications, competence, capacity, and

past success of the firms responding to the RFP. The proposal should demonstrate the

qualifications of the firm and of the particular staff to be assigned to the engagement. The

proposal should provide a thorough description of the firm’s approach to the recruitment plan

for the City of Elmhurst’s next City Manager, demonstrating best and tried practices as well as

innovative techniques. It should also clearly demonstrate the firm’s success in attracting and

recruiting top talent to some of the most prestigious municipalities in Illinois.

The proposal should address all points outlined in the RFP. The proposal should be prepared in

a straightforward manner, providing a concise description of the firm’s capabilities to satisfy the

requirements of this RFP. If any service is provided by a third-party, please indicate this clearly.

Compensation

Identify all costs the firm will charge for performing the tasks necessary to accomplish the

objectives of this RFP as well as all costs, if any, the firm will expect the City to cover outside of

the scope of services. The costs must break out all expenses expected to be covered by the City

to complete the recruitment, whether billed by the proposer or others as part of the

recommended recruitment process.

Due Date for Written Questions

All questions, either administrative or technical, shall be submitted via email to Emily Palm,

Human Resources Director, at emily.palm@elmhurst.org no later than Friday, March 6, 2026, at

Noon (CST).

Addenda

All questions, clarifications or revisions regarding this RFP will be issued via a written addendum

that will be emailed and published on the City’s website. It is the responsibility of the firm to

check the City’s website for any information pertaining to the RFP, including addenda:

https://www.elmhurst.org/how_do_i/bid_opportunities/index.php

Submittal Deadline

Submittals shall be received no later than Friday, March 20, 2026, no later than 5:00 p.m. (CST).

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Submit a hard copy of the proposal to:

City of Elmhurst

209 N. York Rd.

Second Floor – Administration

Elmhurst, IL 60126

Attn: Emily Palm, Human Resources Director

All hard copy proposals shall be submitted in a sealed package marked with the firm’s name

and RFP name.

It is the sole responsibility of the firm to ensure that their bid is delivered by the date/time

listed above. The City is not responsible for misdirected proposal packages.

Confidential Information

Proposers considering requests to be proprietary and confidential should submit an additional

redacted offer marked “Confidential.” Failure to do so may result in information becoming

available to the public.

City’s Consulting Services Agreement

In submitting a proposal, the Proposer agrees to enter into an agreement with the City of

Elmhurst utilizing the City’s standard consulting services agreement.

The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any irregularities in the RFP

process, and to select the proposer that best meets the needs of the City of Elmhurst. The City

appreciates your interest and looks forward to receiving your proposal.

B. General Terms and Conditions

1) Preparation and Submission of Proposals:

 The proposal shall be submitted before the stated deadline and shall bear the name of

the individual, proposer, or corporation submitting the proposal and the project name:

“City of Elmhurst – Executive Recruitment – City Manager.”

 Proposers may attach additional pages to the proposal for the purpose of explanation,

exception, alternate proposal and to cover unit prices, if needed.

 Proposers may withdraw their proposal either personally or by written request at any

time before the date and hour set of the submission deadline and may resubmit it. No

proposal may be modified after the receipt of proposals.

 Proposers further declare that the only person or party interested in the proposal as

principals are those named therein, and that the proposal is made without collusion

with any other person, proposer or corporation.

 Proposers further understand and agree that if their proposal is accepted, the

individual/company is to furnish and provide all necessary materials and/or equipment

and other means to do all the work and to furnish all the materials specified in the

agreement, except such materials as are to be furnished by the City, in the manner and

at the time therein prescribed, and in accordance with the requirements therein set

forth.

 Proposers further agree to begin work not later than 10 days after receipt of the notice

to proceed, unless otherwise provided, and to execute the work in a professional

manner with sufficient materials, equipment and labor.

 Proposers understand and agree that, if the proposal is accepted, and the proposer fails

to enter into a contract forthwith, the proposer shall be liable to the City for any

damages the City may thereby suffer.

2) Conditions

 Any contract or agreement resulting from the acceptance of this proposal by the City

shall be on forms either supplied by or approved by the City. The City reserves the

right to reject any agreement that does not conform to the RFP and any City

requirements for agreements and contracts.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Executive Recruitment Services for the Position of City Manager

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