City Manager

Overview

Sphere of Work. A city manager is a high-level administrator for a city’s government, much in the way that a CEO is the administrator of a large corporation. A city manager’s role is often defined by a charter, or in the absence of a charter, by state law. A city manager assists in the creation of the municipal budget, develops policies that help the city run more efficiently, hires and fires municipal department heads, and coordinates with city councils, mayors, and other elected bodies or officials to ensure that the city is operating according to its charter. Additionally, city managers will conduct and attend municipal government meetings and even help in the drafting of legislation. City managers are appointed by mayors and city councils, and must often work long hours to ensure that every department of the city or town is operating effectively during normal conditions and in emergencies.

Work Environment. A city manager is generally based in his or her own office, usually located in the city or town hall or in a municipal building. However, as the manager must work with every other department in the city government, he or she will likely spend a great deal of time in meetings in other locations throughout the community. Because of this diverse schedule, the city manager is often issued a municipal car in order to travel to and from these “offsite” meetings. A city manager may also visit other communities in order to share ideas about efficient government management.

Occupation Interest. Individuals wishing to become a city manager must be organized and capable of leading others. City managers are generally adept at math and economics, and must be skilled at working with elected officials, politicians, municipal employees (and their unions, if necessary), and residents. They must understand the sum of services provided by the city, and the complex administrative network that enables the city to deliver those services. City managers should have experience working in high-stress and emergency situations, be able to address criticism of municipal services, and should be focused on problem-solving. Budget prowess is a must, especially in larger cities, where departments like education, emergency services, and public works vie for limited financial resources. Skilled communication, in terms of public outreach, administrative management, policy and budget development, contract negotiation, and media relations, is essential for this role.

A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. City managers are involved in the inner workings of every part of the city’s operations. Because of this diverse set of responsibilities, a city manager must be able to manage multiple tasks at the same time. The city manager ensures the maintenance of services provided to residents within the parameters of the municipal budget and the directives given by elected officials.

A city manager must develop and abide by the city’s budget, managing the flow of money to each department in a way that is consistent with the goals and expectations of the city’s elected officials and the residents they represent. The city manager presents the draft municipal budget to the city’s leaders annually for approval, helping legislators understand the impact of budget negotiations and monies available from the state, recommending adjustments, and then reporting to these leaders periodically throughout the year. Additional financial responsibilities include coordinating with department heads to make sure that their departments are operating effectively, efficiently, and within budget. The city manager is charged with hiring and firing department heads and other key city employees, but holds final executive responsibility for the smooth running of municipal government. A city manager must also understand the payroll and benefits of the city’s employees, including union and non-union employees, and, where necessary, make the necessary changes to the city’s policies regarding its employees. Finally, city managers often hold the responsibility for the municipality’s risk management function.

A city manager is a critical component of a municipality’s government. He or she must be extremely familiar with the community and its government, as well as state and federal laws and regulations. In some areas, he or she must act as department head in one or more offices in addition to his or her responsibilities as city manager. A city manager often works long hours and late nights. He or she must be flexible and able to work in challenging situations, as they must often deal with the complaints of angry political leaders and private citizens. During emergencies, they must coordinate with fire, police, and public health officials to protect residents and the community’s resources.

Work Environment

Immediate Physical Environment. A city manager typically works in a municipal government building, such as the city or town hall. However, a city manager has many meetings at department buildings, schools, businesses, and other offices as well, so he or she is often highly mobile.

Human Environment. The city manager oversees a team of employees, many of whom are in turn responsible for other departmental employees. In addition, a city manager must himself or herself be responsible to the mayor, board of selectmen, or city council.

Technological Environment. Although the city manager may not operate the technical equipment of the city government (such as that which is used by public works and emergency personnel), he or she should be knowledgeable of this equipment from a managerial point of view (procurement process, depreciation, lifecycle, and replacement cost). Additionally, a city manager should be skilled in computer technology, which will be used for accounting and coordinating with other city officials.

Education, Training, and Advancement

High School/Secondary. High school students who are interested in becoming city managers would benefit from the successful completion of coursework in the areas of business, economics, mathematics, and accounting, all of which will provide a solid foundation for further collegiate study. Because the city manager is a government position, high school students are encouraged to study government and political science and keep abreast of current events, particularly in terms of local government. Finally, students should build their communication and analytical skills through academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Suggested High School Subjects

− Accounting

− Applied Communication

− Blueprint Reading

− Business

− Business & Computer Technology

− Business Law

− College Preparatory

− Composition

− Economics

− English

− Government

− Political Science

Business, Management & Administration Cluster

− Business Analysis Pathway

− Management Pathway

− Marketing Pathway

Government & Public Administration Cluster

− Foreign Service Pathway

− Governance Pathway

− Planning Pathway

− Public Management & Administration Pathway

− Regulation Pathway

− Revenue & Taxation Pathway

Hospitality & Tourism Cluster

− Travel & Tourism Pathway

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Cluster

− Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management & Regulation Pathway

Postsecondary. Although many municipalities will be willing to sacrifice a city manager’s educational background for experience in government, most city managers will receive their bachelor’s degree in fields having relevance to city government, such as civil engineering, political science, social work, or business. A post-graduate degree, such as an MBA or a master’s degree in public administration, is also considered highly useful for aspiring city managers.

− Community Organization, Resources & Services

− Public Administration

Adult Job Seekers. City manager positions are difficult to obtain simply due to the fact that each municipality only has one such manager. Adults who wish to elevate to the position of city manager may begin their quest by rising to the position of head of a particular city government department. Some people are appointed city manager after they work as an assistant city manager in another community.

Professional Certification and Licensure. Requirements for a city manager position often vary from community to community. Some town governments prefer that their city managers have engineering certifications, are notary publics, or are certified public accountants (CPAs).

Additional Requirements. Most city managers have experience in how municipal government works and have fresh ideas on how it might work better. Additionally, an ideal city manager is one who is organized, is calm under pressure, and is a proven leader.

Earnings and Advancement

Earnings depend on previous experience as a city manager and the size and location of the city. Earnings also vary according to individual negotiations with city councils. According to ZipRecruiter in 2024, the median annual salary for city managers was $115,406. Most salaries ranged from $66,000 to $150,000, with top earners making $198,000 per year.

City managers may receive paid vacations, holidays, and sick days; life and health insurance; and retirement benefits. These are usually paid by the city. A car allowance, educational benefits and deferred compensation plans may also be provided.

Employment and Outlook

There were approximately 3.8 million top executives, of which city managers are a part, employed nationally in 2022. The number of top executive jobs is expected to increase by 124,200 by 2032. Few new governments at any level are likely to be formed, and the number of chief executives and legislators in existing governments rarely changes. However, some increase will occur at the local level as counties, cities, and towns take on professional managers or move from volunteer to paid career executives to deal with population growth, federal regulations, and long-range planning.

Persons who have experience or graduate degrees in public administration will have the best chances for employment, even though competition will be strong.

− Financial Manager

− General Manager & Top Executive

− Management Analyst & Consultant

− Medical & Health Services Manager

− Public Administrator

− Urban & Regional Planner

More Information

International City/County Management Association

Member Services Department

777 N. Capitol Street NE, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20002

202.289.4262

roneill@icma.org

www1.icma.org

National League of Cities

1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 550

Washington, DC 20004

202.626.3000

www.nlc.org

Bibliography

"City Manager Salary." ZipRecruiter, Aug. 2024, www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/City-Manager-Salary. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.

"Top Executives." Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.