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

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

2d•$228,332 - $291,330•Onsite

About The Position

The Port of San Francisco is accepting applications for a permanent exempt Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer. The Port of San Francisco is steward to one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts – a dynamic 7.5-mile stretch along the San Francisco Bay. With a diverse real estate portfolio, active maritime operations, and hundreds of tenants including Pier 39, the Ferry Building, Oracle Park, and the Exploratorium, the Port plays a central role in the city’s economic vitality, cultural identity, and global reputation. Our dedicated employees operate marinas and piers, maintain historic public spaces, and partner with the private sector to revitalize neighborhoods and deliver transformative development and open space projects. Over the past decade, the Port has evolved into a strategically driven agency known for innovation, equity, and impact. Through bold initiatives in economic recovery, resilience, and public-private partnerships, the Port has secured historic investments and created a strong foundation for the waterfront’s next chapter. With over $13.5 billion in planned resilience infrastructure and more than 60 acres of new waterfront neighborhoods under development, the Port is leading the way in adapting San Francisco’s shoreline for future generations. The Port’s mission is grounded in stewardship, partnership, and public service. We are building a workplace rooted in inclusion and belonging and shaping a waterfront where all are welcome. We invite you to join a team that is not only transforming the city’s shoreline but also setting a new standard for public sector excellence and innovation. The Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will have two key functions of equal importance. The first of these is to provide day-to-day management and tactical oversight for the Port’s operating divisions. The Port of San Francisco is comprised of eight divisions: Executive; Finance and Administration; Real Estate and Development; Maritime; Maintenance; Engineering; Planning and Environment; and the Waterfront Resilience Program. The Executive Director will retain direct management for the Executive and Finance and Administration divisions. The Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will be charged with overseeing the work program for the operating divisions: Real Estate and Development; Maritime; Maintenance; Engineering; and Planning and Environment. The Deputy Directors for each of these divisions will be direct reports to the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer. Because the Waterfront Resilience Program is at a key strategic point in its development as it pivots from conceptual planning to design of specific segments of the line of defense, the Executive Director and the Assistant Port Director will share management of this division for a period of time before it eventually transitions to the Assistant Port Director’s operating portfolio. The second key function for the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer is to contribute to the development and management of strategic direction for the full organization as a member of the Executive Division. The Executive Division reports directly to the Port Executive Director and includes the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer, Communications, Government Affairs, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity, Security, Port Commission Secretary and the Port's General Counsel. Communications, Government Affairs and Equity, Inclusion and Diversity develop and execute strategic initiatives in each applicable area. Security is responsible for developing, directing, and implementing a comprehensive homeland security program for the Port and its emergency plans and procedures, in preparation for and in response to emergencies and disasters. The team is also charged with ensuring public safety along the waterfront including during major civic events. The Port Commission Secretary serves as Secretary to the Port Commission and Executive Assistant to the Port Executive Director. The Port Commission Secretary prepares the agenda for Commission meetings in consultation with the Port Commission President and Port Executive Director; secures all required documentation for agenda items; prepares reports for Commission meetings; compiles and maintains records of proceedings of regular Commission meetings as well as special meetings and arranges for the distribution of the same; supervises the preparation of correspondence for the Commission; ensures that Commission-directed actions are executed by the Port promptly and correctly. The General Counsel Team is part of San Francisco's City Attorney's Office, which provides legal consultation and advice to the Port Commission, Executive Director and staff.

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.
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). One (1) year is equivalent to thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units.
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

Provide day-to-day management and tactical oversight for the Port’s operating divisions.
Oversee the work program for the operating divisions: Real Estate and Development; Maritime; Maintenance; Engineering; and Planning and Environment.
Share management of the Waterfront Resilience Program with the Executive Director, with eventual transition to the Assistant Port Director’s operating portfolio.
Contribute to the development and management of strategic direction for the full organization as a member of the Executive Division.
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.