city manager

noun

1. a person not publicly elected but appointed by a city council to manage a city.

city manager

noun

1. See council-manager plan
   (in the US) an administrator hired by a municipal council to manage its affairs See also council-manager plan

Word History and Origins

Origin of city manager¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

If we were not a city, we would not be paying for a mayor, a council, a city manager.

From Voice of San Diego

The city manager has scrapped plans to hire internally and announced an open recruit process last month.

From Voice of San Diego

Oceanside has a city manager form of government, meaning the top administrator plays a significant role in shaping and influencing policy.

From Voice of San Diego

The report included email communications from a top city manager and the Real Estate Assets Department — both of whom were forced out of their jobs over this ongoing scandal — acknowledging the price disparity.

From Voice of San Diego

A high-level city manager tasked with coordinating the city’s coronavirus response abruptly left his post last month and city officials aren’t explaining why.

From Voice of San Diego

I understand then that the chief of police is appointed by the city manager completely?

From Project Gutenberg

Could you describe briefly for us the relationship between the mayor and the council and the city manager?

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, the city manager really has the detailed administration of city affairs?

From Project Gutenberg

Does the council make any other appointments than the appointment of the city manager?

From Project Gutenberg

No; the city manager is appointed by the council, by council action.

From Project Gutenberg