A city manager is responsible for the efficient running of a city, including day-to-day operations, budget allocations, and community relations. They work with elected officials and are often required to attend meetings and negotiate with unionized civil servants. Remaining politically neutral is important, and a degree in public or business administration is often required.
A city manager is the person who is usually responsible for the efficient running of a city. He is traditionally hired by officials that citizens elect to set public policy, such as mayors, commissioners, and city council members. His job can be running the business from small town to big city.
Despite his scope of responsibility, a city manager is traditionally authorized to make business decisions for his city only with the consent of elected officials. He typically researches policies and procedures that he believes are in the best interest of the city’s stability and growth. When his recommendations are ready for review, he usually presents them to employees for approval before proceeding.
Like a business manager, a city manager is typically responsible for all day-to-day city operations. Traditionally, these include budget allocations, building projects, city services, and community relations. He frequently supervises city department managers and regularly talks with them about civic issues and concerns.
Many cities employ unionized civil servants. These employees regularly include firefighters, police, sanitation engineers and teachers. The city manager is often the city representative during contract negotiations with these groups. He is usually the supervisor of these workers’ non-union managers.
This manager position typically involves attending many meetings. Manager input is often needed in formal and informal meetings of city officials and concerned citizens. Subjects such as city policy, public works, and municipal services such as energy, water, and cable/satellite providers are popular topics of discussion. The views of the city council or commissioners, as well as the city manager, are normally included in the dialogue.
Remaining politically neutral is a general requirement for a city manager. He often refrains from including political views in his public comments. This neutrality maintains a persona of fairness and impartiality that citizens of a city often prefer in a city manager.
The city manager is often considered the city’s spokesperson by the media. He may be called upon to comment on policy changes, labor negotiations or funding issues. In the interest of representing his city and its citizens, the manager generally defers commenting on topics that may imply political leanings.
Some cities require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in public administration or business administration for this position. Others may waive this requirement if the applicant has solid experience in these fields. City managers are often former members of city councils and commissions in the cities where they apply for their jobs.
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