How to become a city manager – the road to city management! — looks different for everyone, but there are some concrete steps you can take toward this goal. Read on to find out more about what a city manager does and how YOU can move into such a role.
What Is the Role of a City Manager?
With a list of responsibilities that is both long and broad, functioning as a good city manager requires a unique skill set. City managers essentially function as the COO of a city and must juggle many tasks, working not only with professionals from many city departments and organizations, but also local community leaders and other stakeholders. City managers provide:
- Administrative oversight of multiple departments, including public works, fire departments, parks and recreation, and more
- Communication between the city council, staff members, and various other services
- Goal setting for various government departments
- Implementation of the city council’s legislation, ensuring compliance with laws
- Budget management, including preparing and executing a city’s annual budget
- Crisis management in case of natural disasters or public health emergencies
Some city managers assume additional responsibilities depending on their city’s size and the challenges their communities face.
Who Does a City Manager Work With?
A better question would be, “Who doesn’t a city manager work with?”
While it is typically not an elected role, city managers regularly collaborate with elected officials, including mayors and members of the city council. They also collaborate with various departments, including law enforcement, school districts, sanitation departments, and emergency services. City managers often spend time with the public, earning their trust and addressing their needs. After all, everyone depends on a city manager to provide a fine-tuned, cost efficient, smoothly operating city government.
