Lake Macquarie City Council CEO Morven Cameron will step down next month after eight years in the role.
Councillors voted on Monday night to accept Ms Cameron's request to be released from her contract, which will take effect from 12 September.
Deputy CEO Tony Farrell will take on the role as interim CEO.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz thanked Ms Cameron for her service to the city, her leadership and her many accomplishments since taking up the position in 2017.
"During Morven's tenure, she has successfully steered the organisation and its 1300-strong workforce through significant change," he said.
"She has the respect not just of the elected Council, but of Council staff at all levels."
Ms Cameron said she would take the next few months to "stop, breathe and consider what opportunities might come next".
"This was not an easy decision," she said.
"I love this city and I have truly loved serving our community over the past 19 years. It has helped shape who I am today, and hopefully, I've done a little bit to help shape what it is, too."
As CEO, Ms Cameron has overseen the city's economic transition, away from mining and heavy industry towards services, hospitality and innovation.
She played a key role in the formation of Dantia, Lake Macquarie economic development company, and was pivotal in getting Black Rock Motor Resort – a landmark adaptive reuse of mining land west of Teralba – across the line.
Ms Cameron was named Business Hunter's Business Leader of the Year in 2019, and received a Minister's Award for Women in Local Government the same year for her leadership and expertise.
She was also at the helm when Lake Macquarie City Council won the 2024 AR Bluett Memorial Award for the best city or regional council in NSW.
Mayor Adam said a diverse array of community facilities built and opened during Ms Cameron's tenure at Lake Macquarie City Council – first as Manager Community Planning, then as Director Community Development, and finally as CEO – would stand testament to her achievements for many years to come.
"Morven has played a central role in everything from the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track and Speers Point Variety Playground to the Pasterfield Sports Complex, Hunter Sports Centre and the expansion of our cultural facilities to include places like Windale Hub, bilyabayi, and Sugar Valley Library Museum, kirantakamyari," he said.
The selection process for Ms Cameron's successor will begin once she departs next month.
