What Does a City Manager Do?

City governments consist of multiple departments that provide services to the public, including sanitation, fire services, and public works departments. City managers oversee these departments, ensuring that the services they provide match the community’s needs and are effectively delivered to residents.

City manager positions require a strong skill set and educational foundation, which an advanced degree program can provide.

City Manager Job Description

City managers, sometimes called city administrators, are executive-level officials who work for a city government. They act as an arm of the city council, overseeing the application of policies and other government decisions. They ensure the city functions properly, working with professionals in municipal departments such as the law enforcement, education, and housing authority departments.

Unlike mayors, who are elected by voters, city managers are appointed by city council members or others in city government. City managers usually don’t have term limits, which means they can provide institutional continuity when administrations change.

City Manager Responsibilities

City managers’ responsibilities vary depending on their specific community’s needs, and there is no standard set of duties that everyone in the role handles. However, they regularly work with other city officials to ensure government departments work effectively, including by overseeing budgets and managing government spending. They may also oversee the hiring of employees across departments.

Although city managers aren’t elected, they still must be responsive to residents’ needs, seeking feedback and implementing community programs, often as part of department initiatives. For example, they might help develop a community clean-up day, a public health awareness event, or a holiday celebration.

City managers may also oversee a city’s public relations and marketing efforts. They are often responsible for responding to residents’ concerns by conducting town hall meetings or speaking with local news media. However, they may work behind the scenes on these efforts as well.

City Manager Work Environment

City managers typically work in office environments. They regularly meet with professionals from different departments and community leaders, which may require them to travel.

While they work in the cities they manage, unlike some cities’ requirements for mayors, city managers don’t necessarily need to be residents before being appointed to the position. This allows aspiring city managers to search for jobs in different areas.

How to Become a City Manager

City managers effectively act as the CEO of their local government. To fill this key role, city council members look for applicants with a combination of relevant education and experience. Poor management can drastically affect entire communities, so anyone considering the position should ensure that they’re prepared for the role and have developed the necessary skills to succeed.

Education

Education requirements for city manager positions can vary. Some cities may have a minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree in a field such as business administration. However, many cities prefer applicants with an advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Public Administration (MPA).

When deciding between an MPA and an MBA, individuals should keep in mind the strengths of each type of degree program. Unlike an MBA program, which emphasizes business knowledge and management, an MPA program focuses on public affairs and how government policies impact communities. MPA programs often feature courses in leadership and ethics, community development, and public policy analysis, which all directly relate to a city manager’s duties.

Earning an MPA also can open doors to other professions in public administration. Urban and regional planner, fundraising manager, and compliance officer are all positions someone with an MPA can be qualified for.

Experience

Civil service experience in an area such as budget analysis, grant administration, or urban planning can be useful for aspiring city managers. Any of these roles can help professionals get an inside look at how governments operate and gain first-hand knowledge about how to tackle community issues.

Those considering earning an MPA may seek an online degree while holding one of these positions to gain an advanced education and significant career experience at the same time.

Key Skills

Here are a few essential skills and competencies prospective city managers need to develop to qualify for the position:

Leadership skills
Delegation skills
Communication skills
Expertise in local laws and regulations
Budget management skills
Problem-solving skills
Government policy knowledge
Diplomacy skills
Critical thinking skills

City Manager Salary and Job Growth

Becoming a city manager can lead to a rewarding salary. The median annual salary for top executives, which includes city managers, was $103,840 as of Mary 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Job prospects in this field are expected to remain promising in the coming years. The BLS projects 6 percent growth in top executive roles between 2023 and 2033. The BLS anticipates there will be a continued need in organizations, including city governments, for high-level professionals who can competently make decisions and oversee strategy.

Improve Communities With a Career in City Management

A city manager’s daily duties can vary among cities. However, all city managers are responsible for ensuring that the government works effectively across all its major departments and meets its community’s needs. To prepare for this role, consider the benefits of Augusta University Online’s Master of Public Administration degree program.

This online MPA program teaches students interdisciplinary skills that focus on public service, professionalism, and democratic values. Students learn remotely, which allows them to continue advancing in their career and gaining real-world experience while pursuing their education.

Find out how you can make a difference with AU Online.

Sources:
ICMA, “What Professional City, Town, and County Managers Do”
Indeed, “City Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications”
Indeed, “How to Become a City Manager (Plus Skills and Tips)”
Indeed, “Mayor vs. City Manager: What Are the Key Differences?”
Indeed, “What Does a City Manager Do? (Duties, Salary and Skills)”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Top Executives