Alexandria's City Manager is James K. Hartmann. Mr. Hartmann became the City Manager on January 10, 2005. As Alexandria's chief administrative officer, he is responsible for overseeing a budget of more than $500 million and a workforce of more than 2,500 employees. The City Manager is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the government and appoints all City department heads and employees, except court and school personnel. Alexandria has a population of approximately 135,000 residents and is an independent city since Virginia cities have no county affiliation.

Prior to his position in Alexandria, Hartmann was the County Administrator for Spartanburg County, SC, a position he held from 1999 to 2005. He managed over 1,450 employees in a county of 260,000 residents. Prior to Spartanburg County, Hartmann served from 1996 to 1999 as the County Administrator for Eagle County, CO, and from 1983 to 1996 he worked for Orange County, FL. A native of California, Hartmann served in the United States Coast Guard from 1974 to 1982, where he developed training programs for hospital corps and the Emergency Medical Program.

The Alexandria City Manager is appointed by the City Council to be the chief administrative officer of the City. The City Manager carries out the policy directives of the City Council and manages the daily operations of City government. The City Manager oversees the preparation of  the annual operating and capital budgets, an annual report and other such periodic financial and administrative reports as may be required for submission to the City Council. The City Manager appoints all heads of departments and employees of the City, except those in elected, judicial and school positions.

The City Manager's administrative staff oversees the preparation and review of all City Council docket items, requests, and Council Retreat materials. The administrative staff also serves as a liaison with City departments and with other governmental entities receiving funding from the City, but not reporting to the City Manager, and generally administers the City government.

The main telephone number for the City Manager's Office is 703.838.4300.