N.J. Stat. § 40:41A-47
The county manager shall be qualified by either administrative or executive experience and ability to serve as the chief administrator of the county. The county manager shall be appointed by a majority vote of the entire membership of the board of freeholders and shall serve either for a definite contractual term of not less than one year or more than three years, or at the pleasure of the board of freeholders, as determined by resolution at the time of appointment. A contract for a definite term of employment of not less than one year or more than three years may be offered by the board of freeholders to a county manager appointed to serve at the pleasure of the board of freeholders at any time subsequent to that appointment. A contract with a county manager appointed for a definite term of not less than one year or more than three years shall set forth the terms and conditions of employment. The county manager may be removed by a majority vote of the board for cause, or breach of contract, subject to due notice and a public hearing. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a written bill of particular charges and complaints and public hearing on these charges shall be no less than 15 nor more than 30 days after personal service of notice and charges. A county manager serving at the pleasure of the board of freeholders may also be removed by resolution approved by a majority vote of the entire membership of the board.
At the time of appointment the county manager need not be a resident of the county but after appointment the county manager may reside outside the county by contractual consent, if there is a contract, or by waiver of a majority of the entire membership of the board of freeholders if the county manager serves at the pleasure of the board of freeholders. A waiver shall not be required if the county manager has already received a waiver from the board of freeholders while employed by the county in another capacity.
N.J.S. § 40:41A-47