What Are a City Manager’s Responsibilities?
When thinking about a career in local government, consider the role of city manager. This rewarding position combines conducting administrative oversight and acting as chief advisor to the mayor. At the heart of a city manager’s responsibilities is a connection to the community through implementing various public service projects. Candidates usually have an extensive community service history.
This executive-level job supervises the day-to-day operations of local government departments. Managers are expected to not only embrace challenges but also develop creative solutions. Apart from experience and a combination of a strong set of planning, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills, the role often requires a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree.
What Does a City Manager Do?
In a city’s municipal government, the city manager oversees the operations of various departments. Unlike mayors, who are elected, city managers are appointed. Their administrative and political duties can vary depending on the size of the local government. For example, for cities with no mayor, the city manager may take instructions from the city council.
Common responsibilities include the following:
- Implementing decisions and policies made by the city council or mayor
- Forming relationships with organizational leaders
- Appointing department leaders
- Overseeing and maintaining the city budget
- Serving as a liaison between the mayor’s office and key departments, such as public works and police
- Attending city council meetings
- Holding meetings with the public, private citizens, and community groups
- Managing and terminating employment of government staff members and department heads
- Answering media questions
- Overseeing city development projects
City managers should also be fluent in using the latest technology, so they can streamline their communication and collaboration efforts. By developing digital leadership strategies, these professionals can keep up with technology, enhance their business goals, and promote a digital culture.
Work Environments
As government officials, city managers typically work in office environments within city government. However, they’re often asked to represent the city in meetings, present information, and communicate with the press. Managers may also travel to different towns on overnight trips. To be successful in the role, they need strong written and oral communication skills, along with superb time management, analytical, leadership, and project management skills.
Education Requirements
A city manager’s education prerequisites can vary by employer, but most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. However, many employers are increasingly seeking candidates with a master’s degree. The most directly applicable graduate program is public administration, but fields such as business, finance, accounting, political science, business administration, and economics can also provide sufficient education to prepare for a city manager role. While no specific bachelor’s degree is required for the position, majors in areas such as political science, public health, urban policy, and accounting can be helpful.
Experience Requirements
Along with a master’s degree, city managers typically have at least five years of related experience. Professionals may gain work experience through roles in budgeting, policy development, project management, campaign staffing, city administration, assistant city management, and community planning. A postundergraduate internship can also provide valuable training.
City Manager Salary Information
As of December 2024, Payscale reported a median salary of about $96,500. The entry-level salary was about $71,000, while early career professionals with one to four years of experience earned a median salary of about $84,000. Candidates with budget management and operations management skills may earn more. Specific salaries depend on location, experience, and employer.
City Manager Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that top executives, including city managers, are projected to have a 6% increase in employment between 2023 and 2033. This faster-than-average projection is due to the increased demand for managers capable of making high-level decisions in government offices.
Embark On Your Path to Becoming a City Manager
A city manager’s responsibilities vary by municipality, but these professionals play a pivotal role in how a government office operates. To get started in this career, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum education requirement, but individuals with a master’s degree are becoming increasingly sought after.
In November 2021, the National Civic League released the ninth edition of the Model City Charter, a guide used by cities to create or revise their local government charters. The charter recommended that city managers have a master’s degree in public policy, public administration, or public affairs, as well as two years of managerial experience.
Claremont Lincoln University’s online MPA degree program can be completed in about 13 months with full-time enrollment and about 26 months with part-time enrollment. The program, created under the guidance of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, aims to equip graduates with the knowledge to manage socially responsible projects and programs.
CLU offers four areas of concentration: Strategic Innovation for Collective Impact, Advanced Practices in Public Finance, Advanced Management and Leadership in Complex Systems, and Sustainable Communities Through Public Service. At the end of the program, students apply their learning through a capstone project.
Learn how CLU can prepare you for a career as a city manager.
Sources
GovtJobs, City Manager Sample Job Description
ICMA, Local Government Management: A Career Overview
Indeed, How to Become a City Manager (Plus Skills and Tips)
Indeed, What Does a City Manager Do? (Duties, Salary and Skills)
Monster, City Manager Job Description Template
National Civic League, Model City Charter — 9th Edition: Article III: City Manager
Payscale, Average City Manager Salary
Claremont Lincoln University is a non-profit university offering affordable online degrees, graduate certificates, and professional development programs. Through a socially conscious education framework, CLU’s mission is to create a new leadership ecosystem through its proprietary Claremont Core®, a distinctive model that encompasses the knowledge needed to become an effective leader of positive change in the workplace or community. CLU is regionally accredited by the highly regarded WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which ensures institutions meet strict standards and fulfill their missions to serve their students and the public good. Degree programs at CLU focus on healthcare administration, human resources, organizational leadership, management, professional studies, public administration, social impact, and sustainability leadership.
Claremont Lincoln University is the university of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a non-profit global thought leader solving social, environmental, and economic challenges. Together, we are mobilizing leaders worldwide to tackle the most pressing climate, land, water, finance, housing, infrastructure, and other issues.
