The Port of San Francisco is accepting applications for a permanent exempt Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:

• Application Opening: 09/04/2026
• Application Deadline: 09/21/2026
• Annual Compensation Range A: $228,332 - $291,330
• Recruitment ID: RTF0167201-01078391

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 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. 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.

Port Organizational Structure 

The Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will have two key functions of equal importance.  The first of these is to provide day-to-day management and tactical oversight for the Port’s operating divisions. 

The Port of San Francisco is comprised of eight divisions: Executive; Finance and Administration; Real Estate and Development; Maritime; Maintenance; Engineering; Planning and Environment; and the Waterfront Resilience Program. The Executive Director will retain direct management for the Executive and Finance and Administration divisions. The Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will be charged with overseeing the work program for the operating divisions: Real Estate and Development; Maritime; Maintenance; Engineering; and Planning and Environment. The Deputy Directors for each of these divisions will be direct reports to the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer. Because the Waterfront Resilience Program is at a key strategic point in its development as it pivots from conceptual planning to design of specific segments of the line of defense, the Executive Director and the Assistant Port Director will share management of this division for a period of time before it eventually transitions to the Assistant Port Director’s operating portfolio.

For more information on each of these divisions, please see our website at:  https://www.sfport.com/about/divisions-and-staff

The Executive Division 

The second key function for the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer is to contribute to the development and management of strategic direction for the full organization as a member of the Executive Division.   The Executive Division reports directly to the Port Executive Director and includes the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer, Communications, Government Affairs, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity, Security, Port Commission Secretary and the Port's General Counsel. 

• Communications, Government Affairs and Equity, Inclusion and Diversity develop and execute strategic initiatives in each applicable area.
• Security is responsible for developing, directing, and implementing a comprehensive homeland security program for the Port and its emergency plans and procedures, in preparation for and in response to emergencies and disasters.  The team is also charged with ensuring public safety along the waterfront including during major civic events.
• The Port Commission Secretary serves as Secretary to the Port Commission and Executive Assistant to the Port Executive Director. The Port Commission Secretary prepares the agenda for Commission meetings in consultation with the Port Commission President and Port Executive Director; secures all required documentation for agenda items; prepares reports for Commission meetings; compiles and maintains records of proceedings of regular Commission meetings as well as special meetings and arranges for the distribution of the same; supervises the preparation of correspondence for the Commission; ensures that Commission-directed actions are executed by the Port promptly and correctly.
• The General Counsel Team is part of San Francisco's City Attorney's Office, which provides legal consultation and advice to the Port Commission, Executive Director and staff.

The Port of San Francisco is seeking a visionary, collaborative, and strategic executive to serve as its next Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this executive-level position serves as the Port's second-in-command and provides executive oversight of the Port's Operating divisions.

As the Port’s Chief Operating Officer, this position is responsible for advancing an integrated, enterprise-wide approach to managing one of the nation's most diverse waterfront portfolios. The Assistant Port Director provides strategic leadership over the Port's maritime industries, commercial real estate, waterfront development, and public-private partnerships while ensuring that business operations align with the Port's long-term financial, operational, and public policy objectives.

This executive will help shape the future of San Francisco's waterfront by integrating maritime commerce, real estate development, public access, infrastructure investment, resilience improvements and asset management into a cohesive business strategy. The successful candidate will foster collaboration across divisions, improve organizational effectiveness, identify new business opportunities, and maximize the long-term value of the Port's assets while advancing economic development, environmental stewardship, and public benefit.

Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Port Commission, the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will work closely with executive leadership, tenants, developers, elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, labor partners, and regional stakeholders to advance strategic initiatives and strengthen the Port's position as a world-class waterfront and economic engine for the City and County of San Francisco.

Key Leadership Responsibilities

• Serve as the Executive Director's principal advisor on business strategy, enterprise asset management, waterfront development, maritime commerce, and organizational performance.
• Provide executive leadership and oversight of the Port’s operating divisions, ensuring alignment of priorities, resources, and strategic initiatives.
• Foster collaboration across Port divisions to improve business processes, operational efficiency, customer service, and organizational effectiveness.
• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives that maximize the value of the Port's real estate and maritime assets while advancing the Port's strategic goals.
• Represent the Port before the Port Commission, elected officials, governmental agencies, industry organizations, community stakeholders, and business partners.
• Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Core Areas of Oversight

Enterprise Asset Management: Develop and implement comprehensive strategies that integrate maritime operations, commercial real estate, infrastructure investments, and development opportunities to maximize the long-term value of the Port's diverse asset portfolio.

Business Strategy & Portfolio Management: Identify emerging business opportunities, evaluate market conditions, develop innovative revenue strategies, and guide long-term planning to strengthen the Port's financial sustainability and competitive position.

Real Estate Development & Maritime Integration: Direct the strategic coordination of waterfront development projects, maritime operations, lease negotiations, tenant improvements, and asset management to ensure seamless project delivery from concept through long-term operation.

Organizational Leadership & Operational Excellence: Lead cross-functional teams, improve organizational effectiveness, streamline business processes, establish best practices, and promote collaboration across departments to achieve enterprise objectives.

Financial Planning & Performance Management: Provide executive oversight of business planning, budgeting, performance measurement, capital investment strategies, and return-on-investment analyses to ensure responsible stewardship of public assets.

External Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate productive relationships with tenants, developers, business organizations, labor groups, regulatory agencies, community organizations, elected officials, and regional partners to advance the Port's strategic priorities.

Education 

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, business administration, finance, urban planning or related field is required.

Experience 

Six (6) years of increasingly responsible management experience in a municipality, including at least three (3) years at a Division Head or equivalent level.

License

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.

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 Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will be an accomplished executive who understands how to balance strategic vision with operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess a proven ability to lead complex organizations, align diverse business interests, and maximize the value of public assets while advancing the Port's mission as an economic engine, transportation hub, and steward of San Francisco's iconic waterfront.

The successful candidate will be an enterprise leader capable of bringing together multiple business lines, disciplines, and stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes. They will possess exceptional business acumen, political awareness, and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex public-sector environments while fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

The leader will possess:

• Executive leadership experience overseeing complex organizations with multiple operational and business functions.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational development, and enterprise asset management experience.
• Exceptional financial, business, and commercial acumen, including experience evaluating investments, maximizing asset value, and developing long-term business strategies.
• Experience leading organizational change, improving business processes, and implementing cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus-building skills.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and public communication skills, including experience presenting to governing boards, elected officials, community organizations, and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to develop productive partnerships with tenants, developers, governmental agencies, business organizations, labor representatives, and community stakeholders.
• A collaborative leadership style that empowers staff, builds high-performing teams, and fosters accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, political acumen, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to public service.
• A strong commitment to advancing the Port's values of equity, inclusion, transparency, and environmental stewardship.

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 $228,332 and $291,330. 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.