Assistant Director - City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs

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Assistant Director - City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs

City of San Jose San Jose, California, United States

Job Description:

Assistant Director - City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs

Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

THE CITY
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 181 square miles at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay, San José is Northern California’s largest city, third largest in the State, the 12th largest city in the nation, and ranked the #1 safest major City in the U.S. With almost one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world, including major tech headquarters like Cisco, Adobe, Zoom, Samsung, and eBay as well as start-ups and advanced manufacturing. Reflecting its dynamic and supportive business environment, San José was ranked #1 among U.S. cities for small business by Forbes in 2024, recognized for its robust ecosystem that drives entrepreneurial success and sustainable growth. The City of San José has twice been named “The Most Innovative Large City in America” by the Center for Digital Government.

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-by-the-Sea; 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 from national media including Business Week and Money magazines. For more information about the unparalleled quality of life in San José, please visit https://www.sjeconomy.com/why-san-jose.

Envision San José 2040 is the City’s long-term growth plan that sets forth a vision and a comprehensive road map to guide the City’s anticipated growth through the year 2040. The Plan proactively directs significant anticipated growth in new homes and workplaces into transit-accessible, infill growth areas and supports evolution toward a more urban landscape and lifestyle. The San José area is powered by one of the most highly educated and productive populations in the United States. More than 40% of the workforce has a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared with 25% nationally. Forty percent of San José residents are foreign born, and 50% speak a language other than English at home. San José is proud of its rich cultural diversity and global connections, and the essential role the City plays in connecting residents and businesses to the nation and the world.

CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of San José is a full-service Charter City and operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of ten (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. Department heads are appointed by the City Manager with confirmation by the City Council. The City actively engages with members of the community through Council-appointed boards and commissions.

In addition to providing a full range of municipal services including police and fire, San José operates an airport, a municipal water system, a regional wastewater treatment facility, some 200 neighborhood and regional parks, and a library system with 25 branches. The City also oversees convention, cultural, and hospitality facilities that include the San José McEnery Convention Center, Center for the Performing Arts, California Theater, Mexican Heritage Plaza, and the SAP Center San José - home of the National Hockey League San José Sharks.

City operations are supported by 6,994 full-time equivalent positions and a total operating and capital budget of $6.13 billion for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. 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 website at www.sanjoseca.gov.

THE DEPARTMENT
The City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA), part of the City Manager’s Office, drives San José’s vision of a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous city. The department fosters economic vitality, cultural expression, and workforce opportunity through innovative programs and partnerships that strengthen the City’s fiscal health and enhance quality of life.

OEDCA is comprised of three integrated divisions:
In alignment with the City’s Two-Year Economic Strategy Work Plan, OEDCA focuses on strategically aligning limited staffing and budgetary resources with initiatives that deliver the greatest impact on job creation and revenue growth.

OEDCA’s mission is to catalyze equitable job growth, investment, entrepreneurship, cultural vibrancy, and talent attraction and retention across San José. The department focuses on five strategic priorities:

Retaining and growing jobs and revenue while promoting innovation in key sectors such as manufacturing and artificial intelligence.Fostering small business resilience and thriving commercial districts.Accelerating the growth of a vibrant Downtown.Positioning San José as the South Bay’s hub for sports, arts, and entertainment.Preparing residents to thrive in the local economy through education, training, and career support.
Together, these efforts make OEDCA a vital force in shaping San José’s economic strength, cultural vitality, and long-term prosperity. To learn more about the department, click here.

Position Duties

The Assistant Director serves as the Department’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and organizational direction to advance San José’s mission of driving economic vitality, cultural vibrancy, and equitable growth. Reporting directly to the Director, the Assistant Director plays a pivotal role in managing the Department’s day-to-day operations, overseeing three divisions and the strategic support unit, which together encompass 61 full-time employees and an annual budget of approximately $67 million.

This position is responsible for translating the Director’s strategic vision into actionable goals and measurable outcomes with direct accountability for implementing the Two-Year Economic Strategy Work Plan to ensure progress toward citywide economic development priorities. The Assistant Director will ensure operational excellence, optimize processes, and integrate emerging technologies—including automation and artificial intelligence—to enhance efficiency, service delivery, and community impact.

The successful candidate will be an innovative and forward-thinking leader, capable of navigating complex organizational challenges and fostering collaboration across teams, departments, and external partners. As a trusted advisor to the Director and a key member of the executive team, the Assistant Director will lead efforts to build a high-performing, inclusive workforce and maintain a culture grounded in accountability, transparency, and innovation.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic and results-oriented professional to make a lasting impact in one of the nation’s most diverse and forward-looking cities. The Assistant Director will help shape San José’s economic future—strengthening local business growth, expanding workforce opportunities, and enriching the city’s cultural landscape.

To view the Class Specification, click here .

Minimum Qualifications



Other Qualifications

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a strategic, innovative, and forward-thinking leader with exceptional operational and organizational management skills. As a trusted advisor and collaborative partner, this individual combines creativity, sound judgment, and decisive leadership to deliver high-impact results in a fast-paced, complex environment.

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and relationship builder, skilled at leading and mentoring high-performing teams, fostering accountability, and promoting a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement. They will be a hands-on problem solver and systems thinker, capable of refining processes, coordinating department-wide deliverables, and helping staff move from reactive to strategic execution.

With a keen eye for efficiency and innovation, the ideal candidate will embrace technology—including automation, analytics, and emerging tools such as AI-driven solutions and copilots—to enhance operations, strengthen internal communication, and improve service delivery.

This leader will demonstrate high emotional intelligence, adaptability, and integrity, effectively engaging with the City Manager’s Office, Mayor, City Council, and community stakeholders. As a representative of the Director, the Assistant Director will confidently handle complex matters, streamline operations, guide budget and contract administration, and contribute to shaping citywide strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a visionary operational leader—a collaborative, tech-savvy, and organized professional dedicated to advancing San José’s mission of innovation, efficiency, and service excellence.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The Assistant Director salary range is currently $184,968 - $298,804. Placement within this range will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the individual selected.

The salary is supplemented by an attractive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to:Executive Management Benefits -
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=21323
Health Benefits -
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/human-resources/benefits

APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of six work-related references (two supervisors, two direct reports, and two colleagues, who will not be contacted until final stages and only with prior permission of the candidate) by the first application review date of December 12, 2025 . Resume should reflect years and months of employment, beginning/ending dates, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed. Please apply online at https://www.cpshr.us/recruitment/2552

For further information contact:
Erich WonSavage
(916) 471-3115
E-mail: ewonsavage@cpshr.us
Website: www.cpshr.us

Resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this announcement. Candidates deemed to have the most relevant backgrounds will be invited to participate in a preliminary screening interview with the consultant. Individuals deemed most qualified will be presented to the City. An appointment is expected after finalist interviews and extensive reference and background checks that will be coordinated with the successful candidate

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 12/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$184,968.42 - $298,804.74 Annually
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