City of Melbourne chief executive Ben Rimmer will quit the $460,000-a-year job, citing the fallout from a lord mayoral sexual harassment scandal that rocked Town Hall.
Mr Rimmer announced on Wednesday he will depart in December after four years in the role.
His announcement comes just a few months after Sally Capp was installed as lord mayor, replacing Robert Doyle who quit amid claims he harassed and indecently assaulted women, including a fellow councillor.
"A consequence of the investigation into inappropriate behaviour by Robert Doyle was that I would need to leave the organisation in order to assist councillors to move forward to normal relationships," Mr Rimmer said in a statement.
"I am proud of how my team and I have handled the unprecedented circumstances of the investigation, and the fairness and transparency which we brought to the process."
An investigation instigated by council found Mr Doyle groped and tried to kiss two councillors after drinking "substantial amounts of red wine", on occasions dating back to 2014.
Despite the scandal, Mr Rimmer said council was a good organisation.
"I am lucky to lead an organisation with a great culture, with incredible staff, and where we get to work every day to improve one of the world's great cities," he said.
"While no organisation is perfect and there is much more to be done, we have driven important changes over the last few years."
Ms Capp lauded Mr Rimmer's efforts in the job, noting his "personal health challenges" during 2016 and 2017.
"Council's administration has become more forward-looking, more delivery, cost and efficiency-conscious, and significantly more diverse and flexible," she said of his time in the top job.
