Assistant Director (Unclassified)

Job Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA), part of the City Manager’s Office, drives San José’s vision of a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous city. The department fosters economic vitality, cultural expression, and workforce opportunity through innovative programs and partnerships that strengthen the City’s fiscal health and enhance quality of life.

OEDCA is comprised of three integrated divisions:

» Cultural Affairs: Arts, Sports & Entertainment - Promotes a dynamic and creative city by supporting artists and cultural organizations, commissioning public art, producing community events, and managing City-owned convention and cultural facilities.

» Economic Growth & Business Development - Fuels San José’s economic success by supporting business retention, expansion, and attraction; advancing real estate and catalytic development; revitalizing

Downtown and neighborhood corridors; and empowering small businesses.

» Workforce & Talent Development - Builds an inclusive and resilient workforce by connecting residents to education, training, and career pathways, and partnering with employers to align hiring initiatives with regional industry needs.

In alignment with the City’s Two-Year Economic Strategy Work Plan, OEDCA focuses on strategically aligning limited staffing and budgetary resources with initiatives that deliver the greatest impact on job creation and revenue growth.
For more information please see the recruitment brochure located here:
https://www.mosaicpublic.com/career/2660-assistant-director-of-the-office-of-economic-development-and-cultural-affairs

Position Duties

The Assistant Director serves as the Department’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and organizational direction to advance San José’s mission of driving economic vitality, cultural vibrancy, and equitable growth. Reporting directly to the Director, the Assistant Director plays a pivotal role in managing the Department’s day-to-day operations, overseeing three divisions and the strategic support unit, which together encompass 58 positions and an annual budget of approximately $64 million.
For more information please see the recruitment brochure located here:
https://www.mosaicpublic.com/career/2660-assistant-director-of-the-office-of-economic-development-and-cultural-affairs

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, economics, real estate, or a related field (a master’s degree is highly preferred).

Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the department’s functional area or closely related field, including five (5) years of experience with responsibility for supervising manager-level and other professional staff, managing programs and services, or operations within a complex public or private organization.
For more information please see the recruitment brochure located here:
https://www.mosaicpublic.com/career/2660-assistant-director-of-the-office-of-economic-development-and-cultural-affairs

Other Qualifications

How to Apply

To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, please submit your application at: https://www.mosaicpublic.com/career/2660-assistant-director-of-the-office-of-economic-development-and-cultural-affairs by October 26, 2026.

For further information contact: Greg Nelson at Mosaic Public Partners, (916) 550-4100.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 10/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific