Metro Managers Program

Local governments in the Kansas City region employ more than 120 city/county managers and assistant managers — some with decades of experience, and others who are fairly new to the profession. The Metro Managers Mentor Program brings these two groups together in mentor/mentee relationships. Experienced managers are invited to serve as mentors to newer managers and assistant managers. 

Program goals

  • Support the professional and personal development of emerging local government managers in the Kansas City region. 
  • Foster regional relationships and problem-solving by expanding participant networks across county and state lines. 
  • Aid mentees in developing goals and pathways toward a career in city/county management. 
  • Create an environment where mentors can effectively and efficiently pass on knowledge and wisdom pertaining to local government and city/county management. 
  • Match seasoned chief or deputy administrative officials with aspiring future managers for an 18-month learning experience. 
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How it works

The current class of the Managers Mentorship program is underway and will conclude in January 2026.

Three months before the start of a new cohort, MARC will seek volunteers to serve as mentors and accept applications from prospective mentees. More information about the program and how to apply is available below. 

A one-time fee of $199 will be assessed to mentees to help cover administrative costs of the program. There is no fee for mentors to participate.

Matching

MARC connects mentors with mentees using matching criteria such as areas of mutual interest and geographic location. 

Mentees are local government workers on a career track toward city/county management, with enough experience to demonstrate a sustained commitment to public service.

Mentors are chief administrative officials or deputies/assistants with local governments in the Kansas City metro area. Retirees or managers in transition are encouraged to volunteer. These mentors are veterans within their fields who have considerable experience from which they can draw. 

Meetings

After matching a mentor with a mentee, MARC will organize an initial meeting to formally introduce them to each other and review the program expectations. 
 
Following the initial meeting, mentors and mentees should work out their own meeting schedules, planning on hour-long, in-person meetings about every six to eight weeks throughout the 18-month program. In between meetings, mentors and mentees may also agree on protocols for email or phone communications as needed. 

Mentors and mentees are also encouraged to participate in quarterly meetings of the Managers Roundtable, as well as a networking event MARC may host for each class depending on class size and interest

Program conclusion

Upon completion of the 18-month program, mentees and mentors will be asked to complete an evaluation regarding their experience and the usefulness of the program. Mentors and mentees will also receive a certificate of completion to officially mark the end of the program.

Program fees

A one-time fee of $199 will be assessed to mentees to help cover administrative costs of the program. There is no fee for mentors to participate.

Timeline

The current mentor/mentee cohort is in progress. The program began in July 2024 and will conclude in January 2026.  

Recruitment for the next cohort (July 2026) will begin in April 2026.  

Program requirements

Mentor/Coach

  • Must be a chief administrative official or deputy/assistant (with at least three years of experience) in the nine-county MARC region. Interest from managers in neighboring counties will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Retired managers or managers-in-transition are encouraged to apply. 
  • Must be available and willing to meet with the assigned mentee every six to eight weeks over 18 months. 
  • Should be available for periodic phone or email contacts between meetings (if mutually desired). 
  • Must be enthusiastic and eager to share knowledge and aid his/her protégé in professional development. 

Mentee/Protégé  

  • Ideally, mentees should have been in the local government workforce at least five years to demonstrate a sustained commitment to local public service. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Must work in a community in the nine-county MARC region. Applications from neighboring counties will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Must be eager and enthusiastic to learn from assigned mentors. 
  • Must be interested in a career as a city/county manager. 
  • Must be available and willing to meet every six to eight weeks. 
  • Must attend first meeting administered by MARC to meet his/her mentor.

How to apply

Mentors

Please contact MARC for more information on becoming a mentor. 

Contact MARC

Mentees

Please complete the program application. A link to submit the administrative fee will be shared via email following receipt of the application. 

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