Manager of Waterfront Development Projects (0931) - Port of San Francisco (160218)

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

16h•$161,382 - $205,972•Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction, the Manager of Waterfront Development Projects leads the structuring, negotiation, implementation, and execution of the Port's most complex waterfront real estate and infrastructure development transactions that advance the Port's strategic goals. The position oversees a multidisciplinary team of professional staff and project personnel responsible for advancing the Port's waterfront development initiatives. This role is central to delivering transformative public-private partnership projects along San Francisco's 7.5-mile waterfront while balancing economic vitality, public access, environmental stewardship, climate resilience, historic preservation, and equity. The incumbent serves as the Port's senior development manager for high-profile public and private development initiatives, providing strategic leadership throughout all phases of project delivery – from project conception, financial feasibility analysis, and policy development through environmental review, regulatory approvals, transaction negotiations, public engagement, Commission approvals, implementation, and project closeout. Working collaboratively with internal divisions, City agencies, developers, community stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and elected officials, the incumbent develops innovative development strategies and transaction frameworks that further the Port's long-term waterfront vision and public trust responsibilities.

Requirements

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Real Estate, Finance, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Law, or a related field; AND
Five (5) years of progressively responsible management-level experience leading complex waterfront, real estate development, infrastructure development, or public-private partnership projects, including negotiating major transaction agreements and coordinating multidisciplinary teams responsible for project planning, financial analysis, environmental review, regulatory approvals, public engagement, and project implementation.
At least three (3) years of the experience mentioned above must include supervising professionals.
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.
Must be qualified for unescorted access to the Port’s Maritime Transportation System (MTS).
Must undergo a criminal history check, immigration check and terrorist threat assessment, including FBI fingerprints, in order to determine eligibility for security clearance.
Must submit an application for, successfully acquire and maintain a TWIC card.

Nice To Haves

Experience structuring and negotiating complex public-private partnerships (P3s) and real estate transaction agreements, including Development Agreements, Disposition and Development Agreements, Ground Leases, and Exclusive Negotiation Agreements.
Comprehensive knowledge of real estate finance, land use planning, waterfront development, and public sector real estate practices.
Experience with CEQA, NEPA, the Public Trust Doctrine, BCDC, State Lands Commission requirements, and other regulatory processes governing waterfront development.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex, high-profile development projects involving multiple stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively negotiate with developers, regulatory agencies, community organizations, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
Experience incorporating community benefits, workforce development, climate resilience, historic preservation, sustainability, and equity objectives into development projects.
Excellent written, verbal, public speaking, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

Leads and oversees the Port's most complex waterfront development, infrastructure, and public-private partnership (P3s), projects from project conception through implementation and closeout.
Establishes project strategies, priorities, schedules, budgets, and transaction frameworks that support the Port's strategic, financial, operational, and policy objectives.
Directs multidisciplinary teams responsible for planning, financial analysis, environmental review, regulatory approvals, real estate transactions, construction coordination, and project implementation.
Monitors project performance, identifies issues affecting scope, schedules, or budgets, and develops solutions to advance project objectives.
Structures, negotiates, and executes complex public-private partnerships (P3s), ground leases, disposition and development agreements, exclusive negotiation agreements, easements, and other real estate agreements for major waterfront development projects.
Develops innovative transaction structures that balance public benefits, financial viability, operational needs, and long-term stewardship of Port assets.
Evaluates financial feasibility, business terms, project risks, and market conditions to support informed decision-making and successful project outcomes.
Identifies and mitigates legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks associated with complex development projects.
Directs environmental review and entitlement strategies to ensure projects comply with CEQA, NEPA, the Public Trust Doctrine, BCDC, State Lands Commission requirements, and other applicable federal, state, regional, and local laws and regulations.
Coordinates public hearings, Port Commission actions, Board of Supervisors approvals, interagency coordination, and community engagement activities necessary to advance development projects.
Represents the Port before regulatory agencies, elected officials, developers, neighborhood organizations, community stakeholders, and other public bodies.
Develops policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives that support responsible waterfront redevelopment and implementation of the Port's Strategic Plan.
Evaluates emerging development opportunities, legislative initiatives, industry trends, and market conditions affecting Port-owned properties and recommends strategic responses.
Incorporates community benefits, workforce development, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and equity objectives into project planning and transaction negotiations.
Provides leadership, supervision, mentoring, coaching, and performance management for professional staff responsible for waterfront development projects.
Fosters a collaborative, innovative, accountable, and customer-focused work environment.
Establishes performance expectations, allocates resources, and ensures projects are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Promotes continuous improvement in project management practices, policies, and service delivery.
Prepares and presents reports, policy recommendations, project updates, and transaction strategies to executive leadership, the Port Commission, City officials, developers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Communicates complex financial, legal, technical, and policy issues to diverse audiences and facilitates consensus among competing interests.