Joanne Roney, who is chief executive at Wakefield District Council, has been selected following an interview process and her appointment could be signed off at a council meeting on 14 December.
The new chief executive will replace Sir Howard Bernstein, who is retiring next year after a 45-year career at Manchester City Council working his way up through the ranks.
Manchester is leading the way with its devolution deal and has ambitious housing plans in partnership with councils in Greater Manchester to build 227,200 homes, including green belt development.