City Manager Recruitment

Home to more than 650,000 residents and projected to grow to more than 850,000 by 2051, Hamilton is a city with momentum. Through economic diversification, infrastructure investment and city-building opportunities, Hamilton is shaping a future that builds on its industrial strengths while embracing innovation and growth. The city is a diverse and evolving community where accessibility, inclusion and equitable service delivery are fundamental to serving residents and building a city where people can live, work, play and thrive.

Located in the heart of Southern Ontario, Hamilton combines the scale of a major urban centre with the character of vibrant urban, suburban and rural communities. Today, it is recognized as a hub for advanced manufacturing, health sciences, research, innovation, logistics and technology.

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Ontario's largest municipal corporations at a defining moment in the city's evolution.

About the Role

Bring people together. Turn ambition into action. Help shape Hamilton’s next chapter.

Accountable to the Mayor and Council, the City Manager will connect Council’s vision with the talent and commitment of City leaders, employees, partners and the community. As both a builder and a steward, you will strengthen collaboration and accountability, champion responsible growth and deliver high-quality, responsive services that make a meaningful difference for residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Turn priorities into progress. Translate Council’s direction into action, aligning people, programs and resources around a shared vision.

• Bring people to the table. Connect Mayor and Council, City leaders and staff, other levels of government, community partners and key stakeholders.

• Build a culture that delivers. Champion collaboration, innovation, accountability, service excellence and continuous improvement across the organization.

• Lead with stewardship. Oversee financial, human and operational resources, manage organizational risk and safeguard the public assets entrusted to the City.

• Move Hamilton forward. Work across the organization and community to advance sustainable growth, economic prosperity and quality of life for residents.

Qualifications

• You bring progressive senior leadership experience, ideally in a municipal or broader public-sector environment and the strategic insight and operational expertise to lead change across a complex organization.

• You inspire people to do their best work. Your collaborative leadership builds high-performing teams, fosters innovation and accountability and turns vision into results.

• You build relationships that move things forward. Your exceptional communication skills and political acuity help you build consensus and work effectively with Council, employees, government partners, stakeholders and the community.

Hamilton is planning for significant growth while advancing important investments in housing, infrastructure, economic development and service modernization. The next City Manager will help advance Council's priorities and guide the organization through a period of continued growth, change and opportunity.

Apply

The City of Hamilton has retained an executive search firm to support this recruitment.
Ready to help shape Hamilton’s next chapter? 
Submit your application through Phelps

Application deadline:  Friday, December 4, 2026
AI will not be used in the candidate screening process.
To learn more information, visit phelpsgroup.ca