The Changing Role of Mid-Managers

When:  May 20, 2026 from 01:30 PM to 03:00 PM (ET)
The responsibilities of local government mid-managers have changed, and so have the skills required to succeed in the profession.

A traditional role for mid-managers has been to “push out the work” and ensure employee accountability.  Without removing existing responsibilities, mid-managers may now handle issues such as developing talent, building positive team culture, and promoting learning. How have organizations provided mid-managers with the skills they need to address their changing roles?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Distinguish the emerging responsibilities of mid-managers to include talent development, team culture building, and promoting continuous learning and understand how these complement rather than replace traditional accountability and workflow management functions. 
  • Recognize strategies organizations have used to equip mid-managers with the competencies needed to navigate their expanded roles, including formal training, coaching, mentoring, and experiential learning approaches. 
  • Identify a practice that could be applied in an organizational context that supports mid-managers in balancing operational responsibilities with people-centered leadership skills.
     

SPEAKERS: 

Heather Harper

Assistant Town Manager, Town of Sandwich, MA

Michelle Poché Flaherty

Assistant City Manager, City of Redwood City, CA

Audrey Seymour

Assistant City Manager, City of Mountain View, CA

Location

Online Instructions: