Under MCL 41.75a, the township board may choose to employ a township manager or other employees as necessary.

A manager serves at the pleasure of the township board and performs those duties lawfully delegated to the manager position by the township board. Duties that are designated by law to another township official, such as the supervisor, clerk or treasurer, may not be delegated to a manager unless the official has consented in writing to a reduction of duties and to any subsequent reduction in salary of the office. (MCL 41.95)

According to MCL 42.10a, if a charter township has not appointed a township superintendent under MCL 42.10, the township board may employ a township manager, but that position should be distinguished from a charter township superintendent. A superintendent has statutory authorities under MCL 42.10(a)-(o) that a manager does not have. (Note that a charter township superintendent may be referred to as a "manager," but the distinguishing characteristic is whether the township board has designated to the position any or all of the duties under MCL 42.10.)