city manager

American  

noun

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

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city manager British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of city manager

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

In Social Circle, Georgia, the city manager shut off water to a warehouse ICE had purchased amid concerns about strains on local resources.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

The release included a statement from city manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey, who apologized for the inaccurate information but asserted that the city still had reason to shut down the event.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

At the time, the city manager warned CoreCivic “that the building is unsafe and violates the fire code because its construction prevents radio signals from transmitting from key areas,” the lawsuit pointed out.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

The Miami Police Department reports to the city manager, creating professional continuity across political cycles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

If you took a poll, few people in town could tell you who the mayor was, or the police chief, or the city manager.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger