The City of San José Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs is seeking an Assistant Director who will serve as the Department’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The ideal candidate is a strategic, innovative, and forward-thinking leader with exceptional operational and organizational management skills. As a trusted advisor and collaborative partner, this individual combines creativity, sound judgment, and decisive leadership to deliver high-impact results in a fast-paced, complex environment.

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and relationship builder, skilled at leading and mentoring high-performing teams, fostering accountability, and promoting a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement. They will be a hands-on problem solver and systems thinker, capable of refining processes, coordinating department-wide deliverables, and helping staff move from reactive to strategic execution.

With a keen eye for efficiency and innovation, the ideal candidate will embrace technology—including automation, analytics, and emerging tools such as AI-driven solutions and copilots—to enhance operations, strengthen internal communication, and improve service delivery.

This leader will demonstrate high emotional intelligence, adaptability, and integrity, effectively engaging with the City Manager’s Office, Mayor, City Council, and community stakeholders. As a representative of the Director, the Assistant Director will confidently handle complex matters, streamline operations, guide budget and contract administration, and contribute to shaping citywide strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a visionary operational leader—a collaborative, tech-savvy, and organized professional dedicated to advancing San José’s mission of innovation, efficiency, and service excellence.