The GMCA is made up of 11 constituent members: the elected Mayor of Greater Manchester and the 10 leaders, nominated by each of Greater Manchester's constituent authorities.

The Mayor of Salford is the only directly elected council leader in Greater Manchester.

[2] A petition of 10,500 Salford residents, started by the English Democrats, on a referendum on the creation of a directly elected mayor triggered the process of establishing a directly elected mayor for Salford.

[5] During the campaign controversy surrounded Independent candidate Paul Massey who stated that he is not a criminal, after he was arrested in connection with allegations of money laundering.

[6] The election was scheduled to take place in May 2020 but was delayed to 6 May 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic, it took place alongside other local and regional elections in the United Kingdom.