City Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith said the entire community will be impressed with the Watertown City Council’s choice for city manager.

In a press release, Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham announced Tuesday that council members have offered the job to an unidentified candidate and that interim City Manager John C. Krol will start negotiations for an employment contract.

“I think she’s a completely out-of-the-box candidate,” Mr. Smith said. “I think we hit a grand slam home run. She has excellent governmental credentials, but it’s not traditional government experience.”

Councilwoman Teresa R. Macaluso said she is convinced council members chose the right candidate, adding she’s equally impressed by the credentials that the finalist will bring to the city.

“Out of all the candidates, this person really has all the qualities we’ve been looking for in the city manager,” she said.

While not naming them, four council members immediately placed the woman among the top four candidates whom they wanted to interview for the job; the fifth council member put her with the next group of candidates, Mr. Smith said.

Council members met in executive session for about 50 minutes Monday night to discuss their choice. The mayor talked to the successful candidate afterward. Over the weekend, council members interviewed four finalists.

“We’re very pleased with the process,” Mr. Graham said.

He believes negotiations will be successful because council members have discussed the salary for the position and a benefits package “in broad terms” with the finalist, he said.

They look forward to introducing the candidate once the contract is negotiated and approved, he said. A starting date has not been worked out yet.

The council met about eight times in executive session to discuss finding a replacement for former City Manager Mary M. Corriveau, who left in April after a divided council failed to renew her contract.

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