John Walsh has been appointed the new chief executive of Belfast City Council.
He is currently the city solicitor and director of legal and civic services with the local authority.
Mr Walsh succeeds Suzanne Wylie who left the council to take up a new post in Jersey.
Read more: Belfast City Council is recruiting a new chief executive - and it's offering a big salary
The council had advertised the chief executive role with an annual salary of between £130,859 and £147,217.
The job earns a higher wage than Stormont's first and deputy first ministers, who are each entitled to £123,000 a year.
Mr Walsh will take up the top council post on Monday.
Green Party councillor Aine Groogan, chair of the council's strategic policy and resources committee, welcomed the appointment.
She said: "John comes to this role with a wealth of experience. John has proven himself to be a dedicated public servant, and I know I speak on behalf of all elected members that we have every confidence that he has the extensive skills and expertise for this critical leadership role for our city.
"It has been a testing two years for council as we have continued to deliver services throughout the pandemic and faced the challenges that presented for our residents and ratepayers, as well as our own staff.
"Now, as we continue on our recovery journey post-Covid, we are confident that John will be an excellent leader to take council forward and ensure that we continue to deliver for our ratepayers, and realise the ambitions of our community plan, the Belfast Agenda.
"We wish John every success in the post, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role."
Mr Walsh, who has worked at Belfast City Council for almost 31 years, said he felt "honoured" to become chief executive.
He said: "I know it's a role which will have its challenges, but it also brings many opportunities.
"I'm very proud to work for Belfast City Council. I know just how committed its staff are to serving the city and its ratepayers, and I'm excited to take up this post and work alongside our elected members to continue to deliver on our ambitious plans for the city."
Ms Wylie had served as chief executive of Belfast City Council since 2014, becoming the first woman to hold the senior position.
Last September it was confirmed Ms Wylie was leaving to take up a £250,000-a-year role as chief executive and head of the Public Service for the States of Jersey.
The chief executive post was advertised on January 6.
The selection process involved preliminary interview, an assessment centre and a final interview. Interviews took place on Tuesday.
The process was managed by the Local Government Staff Commission.
Read more: Belfast City Council is recruiting a new chief executive - and it's offering a big salary
Read more: Interim chief exec of Mid and East Antrim council employed at rate of £1,060 per day
For the latest politics news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
