A municipal administrator (or chief administrative officer in larger municipalities) is the senior staff person responsible for managing day-to-day municipal operations under council direction. In smaller municipalities, administrators handle a broad range of duties including financial management, bylaw administration, supervision of staff, council meeting support, and public communications. They serve as the link between council's policy decisions and operational implementation. Administrators must balance political sensitivity with professional management, serving changing councils while maintaining organizational continuity. Provincial legislation typically requires municipalities to appoint someone to perform these functions, though title and specific responsibilities vary by province and municipality size.