The Managerial Work of Italian City Managers: an Empirical Study

Among the different measures taken to reform local government in Italy, one of the most significant forms of renewal for local public administration is the introduction of the city manager post. In this paper we attempt to outline the personal and professional traits of Italy present day city managers. The study provides a snapshot of a situation marked by accentuated dynamism, yet conservatism as well. It arises a portrait of a manager with a multiple role, spending most of her time internally in the organization, whose work is characterized by multidimensional tasks. In particular Italian city managers appear to be mainly oriented to internal stakeholders; nevertheless the changing role of municipalities in the Italian context claims for new challenges, that probably will influence the evolution of the content of their work.