Lake Macquarie City Council is expected to officially announce its new chief executive officer within days.
Councillors voted on the preferred candidate at an extraordinary meeting held late on Monday night at Glendale's Hunter Sports Centre.
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz and the council's external recruitment consultant were understood to have conducted contract negotiations with the selected candidate on Tuesday.
"We're excited about where we are headed, but the process needs to remain confidential until that negotiation is complete," Cr Shultz said in a statement.
"Once we get to that point, we'll be able to share more information about our new CEO and the direction they are hoping to take.
"Regardless, Lake Macquarie City Council is a strong, high-performing organisation with a clear direction, committed people and a shared purpose, and that will not change.
"The elected council has been focused on ensuring the next CEO is a highly capable leader who aligns with council's ambition, values and commitment to the community."
The well-respected Morven Cameron resigned as CEO last August after an eight-year stint, which included being named Business Hunter's Business Leader of the Year in 2019 and receiving a Minister's Award for Women in Local Government.
Under Ms Cameron's leadership, Lake Macquarie was also named the 2024 AR Bluett Memorial Award winner for the best city or regional council in NSW.
Long-standing deputy CEO Tony Farrell has led the local government organisation since Ms Cameron's departure last September.
The biggest challenge for the incoming CEO will be to oversee the redevelopment of the council's Speers Point headquarters, which was destroyed in an arson attack in November 2024.
