Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer - Port of San Francisco (0954)

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Port of San Francisco is seeking a visionary, collaborative, and strategic executive to serve as its next Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this executive-level position serves as the Port's second-in-command and provides executive oversight of the Port's Operating divisions. As the Port’s Chief Operating Officer, this position is responsible for advancing an integrated, enterprise-wide approach to managing one of the nation's most diverse waterfront portfolios. The Assistant Port Director provides strategic leadership over the Port's maritime industries, commercial real estate, waterfront development, and public-private partnerships while ensuring that business operations align with the Port's long-term financial, operational, and public policy objectives. This executive will help shape the future of San Francisco's waterfront by integrating maritime commerce, real estate development, public access, infrastructure investment, resilience improvements and asset management into a cohesive business strategy. The successful candidate will foster collaboration across divisions, improve organizational effectiveness, identify new business opportunities, and maximize the long-term value of the Port's assets while advancing economic development, environmental stewardship, and public benefit. Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Port Commission, the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will work closely with executive leadership, tenants, developers, elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, labor partners, and regional stakeholders to advance strategic initiatives and strengthen the Port's position as a world-class waterfront and economic engine for the City and County of San Francisco.

Requirements

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, business administration, finance, urban planning or related field is required.
Six (6) years of increasingly responsible management experience in a municipality, including at least three (3) years at a Division Head or equivalent level.
Possession of a valid California driver’s license (to be presented at time of appointment).
Insurability under the Port’s automobile liability insurance must be maintained throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Additional experience as described above may substitute for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two years).
Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, public policy, business administration, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
Executive leadership experience overseeing complex organizations with multiple operational and business functions.
Strong strategic planning, organizational development, and enterprise asset management experience.
Exceptional financial, business, and commercial acumen, including experience evaluating investments, maximizing asset value, and developing long-term business strategies.
Experience leading organizational change, improving business processes, and implementing cross-functional initiatives.
Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus-building skills.
Outstanding written, verbal, and public communication skills, including experience presenting to governing boards, elected officials, community organizations, and executive leadership.
Demonstrated ability to develop productive partnerships with tenants, developers, governmental agencies, business organizations, labor representatives, and community stakeholders.
A collaborative leadership style that empowers staff, builds high-performing teams, and fosters accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, political acumen, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to public service.
A strong commitment to advancing the Port's values of equity, inclusion, transparency, and environmental stewardship.
A champion of the Port's commitment to a culture of belonging and inclusion advancing Port operations and opportunities through equitable policies and practices.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Executive Director's principal advisor on business strategy, enterprise asset management, waterfront development, maritime commerce, and organizational performance.
Provide executive leadership and oversight of the Port’s operating divisions, ensuring alignment of priorities, resources, and strategic initiatives.
Foster collaboration across Port divisions to improve business processes, operational efficiency, customer service, and organizational effectiveness.
Lead enterprise-wide initiatives that maximize the value of the Port's real estate and maritime assets while advancing the Port's strategic goals.
Represent the Port before the Port Commission, elected officials, governmental agencies, industry organizations, community stakeholders, and business partners.
Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Develop and implement comprehensive strategies that integrate maritime operations, commercial real estate, infrastructure investments, and development opportunities to maximize the long-term value of the Port's diverse asset portfolio.
Identify emerging business opportunities, evaluate market conditions, develop innovative revenue strategies, and guide long-term planning to strengthen the Port's financial sustainability and competitive position.
Direct the strategic coordination of waterfront development projects, maritime operations, lease negotiations, tenant improvements, and asset management to ensure seamless project delivery from concept through long-term operation.
Lead cross-functional teams, improve organizational effectiveness, streamline business processes, establish best practices, and promote collaboration across departments to achieve enterprise objectives.
Provide executive oversight of business planning, budgeting, performance measurement, capital investment strategies, and return-on-investment analyses to ensure responsible stewardship of public assets.
Cultivate productive relationships with tenants, developers, business organizations, labor groups, regulatory agencies, community organizations, elected officials, and regional partners to advance the Port's strategic priorities.