Mr Bryant (69) yesterday confirmed he had handed in his notice earlier this month and would finish on August 15, ending a council career spanning 21 years.
He said he made the decision late last year, and informed his general manager, Dr Sue Bidrose, but was convinced to stay until the council's new central communications unit was operating.
With former Dunedin-based journalist Graham McKerracher now established as the council's communications and marketing manager - and Mr Bryant's boss - that "transition" was complete, Mr Bryant said.
"It's taken a little longer than I expected, but we're there. It's time to go."
His announcement came just two months after it was confirmed City Talk, which Mr Bryant edited, was to cease publication after 20 years and 85 issues.
Mr McKerracher cited an outdated format and difficulty quantifying readership as reasons when confirming the decision.
However, Mr Bryant said yesterday the demise of the magazine had not prompted his decision to quit, as he had also pushed for the change.
He also dismissed any suggestion he was reluctant to work under Mr McKerracher as "absolute bollocks".
Centralising the council's communications activities under one unit - incorporating marketing, graphic design and website teams - was something he had pushed for, but heading the new unit was not.
"That's not how I see my contribution to council. I don't want the job . . . it's not my scene.
"I'm content that what I set out to achieve I have done."
Mr Bryant planned to stay in Dunedin.
Mr McKerracher said yesterday Mr Bryant would be replaced, with the position advertised within the next month.
The decision by Mr Bryant - a former television and radio broadcaster and Broadcasting Standards Authority member - to depart made him the latest in a series of senior staff to quit the council.
Former chief executive Jim Harland resigned soon after then-mayor Peter Chin was ousted by Dave Cull in late 2010, despite having more than a year left on his contract.
Mr Harland's departure was followed by that of two members of the council's executive management team late last year, within months of the appointment of new chief executive Paul Orders.
Former council customer services general manager Grant Strang and community life general manager Graeme Hall both opted to take voluntary redundancy.
