The Port of San Francisco is accepting applications for a permanent exempt Deputy Director of Maritime.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:

• Application Opening: 09/04/2026
• Application Deadline: 09/21/2026
• Annual Compensation Range A: $200,538 - $255,996
• Recruitment ID: RTF0165670-01086836

Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt (PEX). Pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Charter, Section 10.104.6. Any person occupying a position under exempt appointment shall not be subject to civil service selection, appointment, and removal procedures. Exempt appointees are considered "at will" and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

About the Port of San Francisco 

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 280 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. Guided by our Racial Equity Action Plan, 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. 

For more information about the Port of San Francisco, visit SFPort.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The Maritime Division 

The Maritime Division is responsible for managing and marketing a wide array of maritime industries: cruise and cargo shipping, ship repair, commercial and sport fishing, ferry and excursion operations and other harbor services. The division promotes Port maritime facilities to potential and existing customers while ensuring compliance with federal security mandates and providing environmental stewardship. Areas of responsibility include cruise and cargo terminals, ferry terminals, marine salvage and boat repair facilities, Fisherman's Wharf and Hyde Street Commercial fishing harbors, the South Beach Marina recreational and commercial charter harbor, excursion terminals and harbor service facilities for pilots, tugboats, barges, lay berthing and other ship services. The Maritime Division manages 122 tenancies, representing 6 million square feet and approximately $11 million in annual revenue. 

The Port of San Francisco is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Deputy Director of Maritime. This executive-level position is responsible for directing the Port's Maritime Division and advancing the Port's role as a vital economic engine, transportation hub, and steward of San Francisco's working waterfront.

The Deputy Director of Maritime oversees a diverse portfolio of maritime operations and business lines, including cruise and cargo shipping, commercial and sport fishing, ferry and excursion services, ship repair, harbor services, and maritime industrial uses. The successful candidate will balance operational excellence, business development, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance while helping shape the future of the Port's maritime enterprise.

This leader will serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Port Commission, working closely with tenants, industry partners, government agencies, and community and labor stakeholders to advance strategic initiatives and strengthen the Port's competitive position in regional, national, and international maritime markets.

The Deputy Director will champion innovative solutions to complex challenges, including infrastructure investment, waterfront access, maritime business attraction and retention, climate resilience, and evolving transportation and supply chain needs. Through strategic leadership and collaboration, this position will help ensure the continued vitality of San Francisco's maritime industries and waterfront economy.

Key Leadership Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director and Port Commission on maritime policy, operations, business development, and long-range planning.
• Lead and develop teams responsible for maritime operations, tenant relations, business development, planning, and regulatory compliance.
• Foster strong partnerships with other Port divisions, maritime tenants, industry organizations, regulatory agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Advance initiatives that promote economic vitality, environmental stewardship, operational excellence, and waterfront resilience.
• Direct the allocation of resources and oversee performance to achieve divisional goals and strategic priorities.

Core Areas of Oversight

Maritime Business Development: Develop and implement marketing and business attraction strategies that support growth in cargo, cruise, ferry, fishing, ship repair, and other maritime industries.

Operations & Infrastructure: Direct and collaborate on programs that support safe, secure, and efficient maritime operations, including planning for waterfront infrastructure improvements and expansion of active vessel berths.

Tenant Relations & Property Management: Oversee maritime tenancies and business relationships across the Port's maritime facilities and ensure effective management of maritime assets.

Strategic Planning & Financial Management: Develop annual and long-term plans, programs, and budgets; monitor performance and ensure resources are aligned with divisional objectives.

Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Stewardship: Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permitting requirements related to maritime activities, environmental protection, safety, and security.

External Affairs & Industry Leadership: Represent the Port's interests at industry, governmental, and community forums and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across the maritime sector.

If you are ready to lead change, grow teams, and contribute to one of San Francisco’s most important civic institutions, we invite you to apply! 

Education 

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience 

Six (6) years of experience of port-related or maritime experience, including leading teams comprised of multiple disciplines. Experience should include business development, assessing operational needs, enhancements to facilities, responding to government and regulatory mandates, and customer service. All experience must include managerial role with multiple direct reports.

License 

Possession of a valid California driver’s license (to be presented at time of appointment). Employees must be insurable under the Port’s automobile liability insurance.  Insurability must be maintained throughout employment.

Substitution

Education Substitution: 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. 

Experience Substitution: 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.  

The Ideal Candidate

The Port of San Francisco’s next Deputy Director of Maritime will have a deep appreciation of the Port’s role as a vital economic engine for jobs and prosperity in the Bay Area and embrace and promote the role of being an outstanding community partner. The ideal candidate will have a verifiable and highly successful career with a record of demonstrated commercial leadership in maritime industries such as cruise and cargo shipping, transportation and logistics, or other closely related executive level positions.

The leader will possess:

• Excellent communication skills – an adept public speaker with experience presenting in a public forum, business writing, and community relations.
• Exceptional customer service with varied stakeholders both within the Port and externally, excluding elected officials, regulatory agencies, and port associations.
• Contract negotiation and business development skills.
• Creative entrepreneurship, effective leadership, business acumen, and management skills; innovative problem solver.
• Ability to manage staff, provide leadership and inspire, motivate, and empower staff to achieve established goals.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with an ability to engage in dialogue at all levels of the organization with ease, confidence, and conviction.
• Demonstrated leadership complimented by a high level of initiative, cultural sensitivity, creative and flexible problem-solving skills, and excellent internal and external communication skills.
• Integrity, intellectual honesty, and belief in the value and necessity of equity and diversity.

Additionally, the Ideal Candidate will be a champion of the Port’s commitment to a culture of belonging and inclusion advancing Port operations and opportunities through equitable policies and practices. 

Verification

Please make sure it is clear on your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications. Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Important Note(s):

• Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.
• One-year full-time employment is considered equivalent to 2000 hours (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
• Please be aware that any misrepresentation of this information may disqualify you from this recruitment or future job opportunities.

Compensation and Benefits

The normal annual salary range (A) is $200,538 and $255,996. Appointment above the maximum of the normal range may be considered based on documented and substantiated recruitment and retention issues or exceptional skills. A special approval process is necessary for appointment above the normal salary range. Further compensation information about this class is available in the compensation manual.

In addition, the City and County of San Francisco (City) offers comprehensive benefit programs that include:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life insurance
• Long-term disability plan; Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pension Plan; Retiree Healthcare; Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Management Training Program; Wellness Program
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave; Management Leave
• Additional information about the City’s benefits: https://careers.sf.gov/benefits/

Selection Procedures

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidate’s qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the requirements for this position will be invited to participate in the selection process. 

Note: Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview.

How to Apply

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “Apply Now" button and follow instructions on the screen 

Human Resources Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please send your inquiries to Sadia Afandi, at [email protected]. 

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. 

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco: 

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.