The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), also known as City Manager, is the top non-elected official in a municipal government responsible for managing all municipal staff and operations. The CAO is hired by and reports to council, serving as the link between elected officials (who set policy) and staff (who implement it). Responsibilities include overseeing all departments, implementing council decisions, providing policy advice, managing the budget, and handling day-to-day operations. The CAO position ensures professional management of municipal organizations, which can have thousands of employees and budgets in the billions. The CAO role requires balancing administrative expertise with political acumen to serve councils effectively.