Employer the manipulative sort? (4)
I believe the answer is:
user
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'employer' is the first definition.
(someone who employs or uses something)
'manipulative sort?' is the second definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'the' is the link.
(Other definitions for user that I've seen before include "Tech support caller?" , "Right long-established" , "Drug-taker" , "Operator (of something)" , "one has to employ" .)