At its meeting today, the Irvine City Council appointed Sean Joyce to serve as City Manager for approximately one year, effective August 10.
Joyce will step into the role as City Manager Sean Crumby prepares to retire following more than three decades of public service. Crumby served as Irvine’s seventh City Manager since July 2025, leading the City through significant moments of innovation, growth, and community investment. His last day is August 14.
“I look forward to rejoining an organization renowned for providing an unparalleled level of municipal services to the residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Sean Joyce. “I eagerly await the chance to work on behalf of the Mayor, City Council, and extraordinarily talented City staff in our collective pursuit to provide the best possible quality of life imaginable to those we all passionately serve.”
The City Council recognized Crumby for his service to Irvine and his leadership as City Manager and welcomed Joyce’s return, citing his professionalism, proven leadership, and extensive experience in municipal government.
“I extend my gratitude to Sean Crumby for his service to Irvine and for his outstanding leadership as City Manager over the past year,” Mayor Larry Agran said. “Sean Joyce’s 13 years as Irvine’s City Manager, extensive public-sector experience, and deep understanding of our community make him exceptionally qualified to return to this role. I have every confidence he will provide outstanding leadership and move the City’s vision and priorities forward.”
Mr. Joyce is a seasoned City Manager with more than 35 years of experience working for municipalities. Most notably, he served as City Manager for the City of Irvine from 2005 to 2018. During that period, Mr. Joyce’s accomplishments included:
- The creation of a “bridge plan” in the immediate aftermath of the 2008 recession. The plan called for the scheduled deployment of accrued reserves, the reduction of positions through natural attrition, and strict cost controls over the course of three years. At the conclusion of those three years, the executed plan was proven a success, far outperforming original estimates.
- Proposing fiscal policies that resulted in boosting general fund reserves from 5.5% of annual revenues to 15% in just two years — immediately preceding a deep recession, during which these reserves were crucial to preserving core City services.
- Working collaboratively with City leaders and others throughout the County, Mr. Joyce held a leadership role securing an exchange of $121.3 million with the Orange County Transportation Authority. This transaction relieved the general fund of more than $2 million of annual operating expenses for operation of the City’s public transit services.
- Mr. Joyce led development and implementation of a wide range of human services programs in furtherance of a comprehensive strategy for meeting the goals of Irvine’s “Children, Youth & Families Initiative.” This expansive program identified and provided for the needs of Irvine’s oldest, youngest, and most vulnerable.
Prior to his tenure in Irvine, Joyce served as City Manager for the City of South Pasadena for seven years and two years as City Manager of Sierra Madre before moving to South Pasadena. Since retiring from Irvine in 2018, he has served as Interim City Manager for several Southern California cities, including Cypress, South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Clemente, and Laguna Beach.
Joyce is a product of Irvine’s public schools as he first came to Irvine with his family in 1971. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton. He and his wife, Veronica, a fellow Cal State Fullerton graduate, have made Irvine their home since 2004.
For more information about his appointment, view the Irvine City Council agenda(Open in new window) from the July 28, 2026, meeting.