Chief of Staff
Reports to: Councilmember
Supervises: All Council District 4 staff
Status: Full-time, unclassified, at-will City of San Diego position
Location: City Administration Building
The Chief of Staff runs the office so the Councilmember can lead. This person manages the team, oversees operations and the office budget, and serves as the Councilmember's senior advisor on policy, the City budget and strategy.
The right candidate already knows how the City of San Diego works: its budget process, its departments and the people who lead them. They bring trusted relationships with the business community and labor, and they can bring both to the table for District 4.
Key Responsibilities
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Hire, onboard, supervise, and evaluate all office staff, and set clear roles, goals, and accountability.
Build a respectful, high-performing team culture rooted in the office’s People First, Always values.
Run weekly staff meetings, assign priorities, and resolve conflicts across policy, communications, and constituent services.
Develop staff through coaching, training, and growth opportunities.
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Manage daily operations, the Councilmember’s schedule and the flow of decisions to and from the Councilmember.
Set up office systems for constituent casework, correspondence, scheduling, and records.
Ensure the office follows City policies, the Brown Act, public records law, and ethics rules.
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Manage the Council District 4 office budget and staff spending.
Lead the office through the City’s annual budget cycle, including budget priority memos, budget hearings, the May Revision and final adoption.
Work with the Independent Budget Analyst and the Department of Finance to advance District 4 priorities and track how funds are spent.
Oversees the office’s Community Projects, Programs and Services allocations and infrastructure requests.
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Build working relationships with the Mayor’s office, Council colleagues and their chiefs of staff, the City attorney, the City Clerk and department directors.
Work with departments such as Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Stormwater, Environmental Services, Developmental Services, Police and Fire-Resuce to deliver results for District 4.
Track Council and committee dockets, prepare the Councilmember for votes and hearings, and move the office’s legislative agenda.
Escalate and resolve complex constituent and neighborhood issues that need department action.
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Serve as the office’s lead contact with chambers of commerce, business associations, small business owners and economic development partners.
Maintain strong relationships with labor unions and the labor council
Bring business, labor, and community partners together around District 4 priorities such as jobs, housing, and economic opportunity.
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Turn the Councilmember's vision into an office work plan with goals, timelines, and measurable results.
Partner with the Director of Communication and Cultural Affairs on rollout plans.
Keep strong ties with District 4 community groups, faith leaders, neighborhood councils, and residents.
Qualifications
Required:
Experience in government, public policy, public administration or a related field, including managing staff.
Prior senior staff experience in a City of San Diego office.
Working knowledge of City of San Diego operations and the City Charter.
Hands-on experience with the City of San Diego budget process
Established relationships with City department leaders, elected officials and their senior staff.
Trusted relationships with the business community and with organized labor.
Proven ability to lead a team, manage competing priorities, and make sound decisions under pressure.
Excellent judgement, discretion, and integrity in handling sensitive, and confidential matters.
Preferred:
Experience with labor negotiations, workforce development, or economic development.
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, political science, business, or related field.
Working Conditions, Compensation, and How to Apply
Working Conditions: This role is M-F with some evenings and weekends. It requires travel throughout District 4.
Compensation: $170,000-180,000, plus City of San Diego benefits.
How to Apply: Click the link below to send a resume and cover letter and three professional references.