THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of San José seeks an experienced policy professional to lead the planning, policy, and strategic support functions and team. In collaboration with the API Director, this portfolio requires reviewing and tracking policy proposals, leading and managing policy analysis and implementation, major initiative planning and consultation, providing timely and thorough research and data-analytics support for key city priorities and ballot measure initiatives, facilitating and participating in strategic planning exercises, supporting executive staff in cross-departmental planning and management and committees, and ensuring high quality, timely services are delivered to the organization and the public through agenda services.

THE CITY OF SAN JOSÉ

Known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” the City of San José plays a vital economic and cultural role anchoring the world’s leading region of innovation. Encompassing approximately 181 square miles at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay, San José is Northern California’s largest city and the 13th largest city in the nation. With nearly one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States. San José’s quality of life is unsurpassed. Surrounded by the Diablo and Santa Cruz mountain ranges and enjoying an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, residents have easy access to the beaches along the California coast, including Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel; Yosemite and Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada; local and Napa Valley wine country; and the rich cultural and recreational life of the entire Bay region. San José has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods, healthy lifestyle, and diverse attractions. For more information about the unparalleled quality of life in San José, please visit Why San Jose?

CITY GOVERNMENT

The City of San José is a full-service Charter City and operates under a hybrid Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of 10 Council Members elected by district and a Mayor elected at-large. The City Manager, who reports to the Council, and her executive team provide strategic leadership that supports the policy-making role of the Mayor and the City Council and motivates and challenges the organization to deliver high-quality services that meet the community’s needs.

In addition to providing a full range of municipal services, including police and fire, San José operates an international airport, a municipal water system, a regional wastewater treatment facility, over 200 neighborhood and regional parks, and a library system with 25 branches. The City also oversees convention, cultural, and hospitality facilities. City operations are supported by approximately 7,000 full-time equivalent positions and a total budget of $6.1 billion for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. San José is dedicated to maintaining the highest fiscal integrity and earning high credit ratings to ensure the consistent delivery of quality services to the community. Extensive information regarding San José can be found on the City’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov.

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER & OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION, POLICY, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS (API)

The Office of the City Manager provides strategic leadership that supports the Mayor and City Council in making public policy decisions and ensures the organization is delivering cost-effective services that meet the needs of our community with the highest standards of quality and customer service. The City Manager’s Office also serves to guide fiscal and change management, the building and development of our workforce, and development of long term, data driven strategies that invest in the City’s future.

The City Manager’s Office of Administration, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations (API) is responsible for administrative support, policy analysis, and intergovernmental affairs.

THE POSITION

Reporting to and in collaboration with the API Director, this position is classified as a Deputy Director and communicates regularly with senior and executive staff, elected members and their staff, and key external partners to exchange information on City issues. Key position responsibilities include overseeing API’s policy, planning, and strategic support portfolio by managing and mentoring team members and advising them through a public policy lens to develop, organize, manage, and communicate effective policy solutions to key partners and elected bodies; coordinating complex policy issues with senior and executive staff; identifying emerging issues and developing position documents, memorandums, and presentations to support the City’s public policy formation; developing and enhancing positive, effective relationships with policymakers and other agencies and representatives; and maintaining awareness of policy issues and program activities affecting City operations and developing and maintaining close working relationships with teams across City Departments and Offices.

The ideal candidate is excited to work on the hardest, sometimes most controversial, issues affecting cities and enjoys working with people and in a team environment. They will have experience and demonstrated success in a wide variety of highly visible, complex policy issues or legislative affairs. They are confident, politically astute, racial equity focused, and customer service driven.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, or a discipline related to the business performed by the department. A Master’s degree is preferred and may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Experience: Six (6) years of management and/or administrative experience in government or private business/industry.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary range for this position is $161,153 to $260,737, which includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The final candidate’s qualifications and experience will determine the actual salary.

The City provides an excellent array of benefits, including sick leave, holidays, and a technology stipend. Additional details can be found in the Executive Management and Professional Employees Benefit and Compensation Summary. For more information on employee benefits, please visit the City’s Human Resources Benefits website.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Greg Nelson| greg@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100