Joanne Roney, chief executive of Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council, is to replace Sir Howard Bernstein as chief executive of Manchester City Council.
The position will be confirmed on 14 December.
Roney has been chief executive of Wakefield Council since 2008 but started her career in local government as an apprentice with Birmingham City Council.
She has a strong track record in delivering major regeneration initiatives such as the Hepworth Gallery.
Bernstein,who joined the council as a junior clerk in 1971 and has been in the top job since 1998, announced he was stepping down in September.
Roney will have big shoes to fill as chief executive. Bernstein played a central role in the regeneration and economic growth of the city in the aftermath of the 1996 IRA bombing, helping progress flagship developments such as Spinningfields, NOMA, First Street, Corridor Manchester and forthcoming investments in St John’s, Airport City, the Northern Gateway and HS2.
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