THE OPPORTUNITY

A national search is underway to attract a strategic, innovative, and experienced local government economic development executive to serve as the City of San José’s next Director of the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs. This is an incredible opportunity for a collaborative leader who will lead the delivery of world-class services in driving economic growth, shaping vibrant cultural affairs, and leading high-performing teams to best position the City’s future.

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 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. 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; 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. For more information about the unparalleled quality of life in San José, please visit Why San Jose?

THE 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.

City operations are supported by approximately 7,000 full-time equivalent positions and a total budget of $6.1 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’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov.

THE OFFICE AND POSITION

The City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs’ mission is to catalyze job creation, private investment, revenue generation, talent development and attraction, and a diverse range of arts, cultural and entertainment offerings. The Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs is an office within the City Manager’s Office and the Director reports to and serves as a key advisor to the City Manager. The Director’s Executive Management Team includes an Assistant Director and a Deputy Director. The Office provides 5 core services and manages and/or oversees a variety of associated programs: Arts and Cultural Development, Business Development and Economic Strategy, Real Estate Services, Regional Workforce Development, and Strategic Support. Supporting this work is a staff of 57 full-time equivalent positions and an annual operating budget of approximately $74 million.

The ideal candidate is a proven Economic Development and Cultural Affairs Director with a passion for working in a fast-paced and high-profile environment and who brings extensive world class economic and business community centered executive leadership experience and capabilities. This includes proven management of business development, economic strategy, arts and cultural development, real estate services and regional workforce development that meet and exceed performance goals.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

The following are the minimum qualifications for the Director of the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs position:

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a discipline related to the business performed by the department. A Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a discipline related to the business performed by the department is preferred.

• Experience: Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience that demonstrates proficiency at the management and policy making levels of a corporate or public organization responsible for a complex range of programs and activities, including five years at a management and policy-making management level.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary range for this position is $204,437 - $331,149 which includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. This position is also eligible for a management pay for performance program which may provide additional compensation up to 2.5% and additional executive leave up to 5 days based on the individual’s performance. The final candidate’s qualifications and experience will determine the actual salary.

For more information on employee benefits, visit the City’s Human Resources Benefits website.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply below by Monday, May 5, 2025.

This recruitment will be handled with strict confidentiality. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

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

Bryan Noblett | bryan@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100