Former Needham Librarian Named Deputy Town Manager
September 10, 2025
• Elizabeth LaRosee, who worked in Needham from 2018 to 2020, will serve as the town’s next deputy town manager.
When then-Deputy Town Manager Katie King stepped into the top job in early July, she left a vacancy in the number-two slot. The town will fill her shoes with Elizabeth LaRosee, who was appointed to the position at the Select Board’s meeting Tuesday night.
LaRosee comes to Needham via Randolph, where she most recently served as the director of Library, Recreation, and Community Programs. Over the last five years, she has also worked as communications manager and as a member of the emergency management team for the Town of Randolph.
But LaRosee isn’t new to Needham. After earning her master’s in library and information science, she worked as a reference librarian at the Needham Free Public Library from October 2018 to February 2020, according to her resume that was shared with the board.
As she returns to town, she hopes to “contribute meaningfully to Needham’s tradition of high-quality governance and service,” according to her cover letter. LaRosee was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.
King told the Select Board that the job posting attracted “an excellent candidate pool,” though LaRosee emerged as the top pick after three rounds of interviews.
“We always talk about this position as somebody who has a great variety of skillset, and that came through loud and clearly for Liz,” King said. “And I would say… throughout the interview, from my perspective, I felt like Liz was a very good communicator, which is a big requirement for this job, talking with anyone and everyone all the time, in formal settings, informal, but relationship building, and I think a very good mix of day-to-day tactical skills with the ability to zoom out and think big picture.”
LaRosee is expected to start Monday, Sept. 22.
As deputy town manager, LaRosee would be responsible for helping develop the annual budget and long-term initiatives with leadership, negotiating in collective bargaining agreements, attending various committee meetings, carrying out administrative work and supporting the town manager in her role, among other duties.
LaRosee also served as a teen librarian and later as library director at Randolph’s Turner Free Library for a cumulative five years, which partially coincided with her stint in Needham.
Select Board member Marianne Cooley pointed to LaRosee’s “breadth of experiences,” while Vice Chair Cathy Dowd said she was impressed by her emergency responsiveness during the pandemic.
“It seems like you can throw something at her, and she’ll handle it,” Dowd said, “so that’s good.”
“I think she has a talent for stepping up and jumping into what appeared to be everything in that town,” member Kevin Keane added. “We welcome her.”
The board approved the appointment unanimously.
“I think she would be a huge asset to Needham,” King said prior to the vote, “and a great opportunity for her as well, professionally, to advance into the next opportunity.”
In her letter to the town’s search committee, LaRosee expressed her enthusiasm for the position.
“I am excited by the opportunity to help guide Needham’s strategic vision while supporting innovation, sustainability, and equity in local government operations,” she wrote.
