Director of Development Services Port of San Diego
San Diego, California
Annual Salary: $144,918 - $173,903DOE/DOQ
(Salary currently under review)
The Port of San Diego (Port) is seeking a Director of Development Services (Director) to lead its Development Services Department, including a team of 11 staff, an approximate department budget of $2 million, and projects undergoing environmental review or under construction in excess of $5 billion. This proactive leader will ensure the Department improves the Port and tenant project review process, attracts visitors to the San Diego Bay through high-quality development, creates and sustains positive relationships throughout the region, and advances a highly skilled, diverse workforce. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and have experience working with the California Coastal Act and Coastal Commission staff. They will have a positive attitude, work effectively with people with competing interests or needs, and focus on finding ways to get to “yes, if …” as opposed to “no, because …” This savvy leader will be influential, solutions-oriented, and have a thirst to learn and develop themselves and others. They will have strong analytical, public speaking, verbal, presentation, and listening skills and experience with a focus on commercial development. If you want to be part of a dynamic and complex public organization and create great opportunities and spaces for businesses and community members to interact and thrive, while living, playing, and working along the San Diego coastline, then apply for this great opportunity today!
The Director of Development Services (Director) will serve as a highly knowledgeable and solutions-oriented leader of the Development Services Department. Overseeing 11 staff, an approximate budget of $2 million, and projects undergoing environmental review or under construction in excess of $5 billion, they will report to and serve as an expert advisor to the Vice President (VP) of Business Operations, making recommendations for implementation of the Port’s Master Plan and acting as the VP in their absence. They will oversee the Port’s current planning programs, approval condition enforcement, Port and tenant project review, business operations, and contract management and will also contribute to budget administration. The Director will have a strong background in CEQA with California Coastal Act experience, enabling them to make sound recommendations and resolve complex issues. They will be an experienced relationship builder, working closely with a variety of stakeholders, such as other industry and governmental agencies, developers, tenants, Port member cities, professional organizations, community groups, and elected officials.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate will understand the ways in which the Port is like and unlike a municipality and will follow applicable laws, regulations, and policies to help the Port navigate complex and challenging situations. There are no residents, residential projects, neighborhood-serving uses, or general office uses at the Port. Virtually every action the Port takes is discretionary and therefore, the ideal candidate will have exceptional judgment. The Port encourages water-dependent uses, water-enhancing uses, public access, environmental initiatives, and visitor-serving uses. The ideal candidate will recognize the high visibility of this important role and act as a respectable and emotionally intelligent representative of the Port. The successful candidate will seek opportunities to enhance and optimize the Department while empowering staff and creating a positive work environment. They will use diplomacy, critical thinking, and relationship-building skills to collaborate and be influential with others. This leader likes to get things done, sticks to timelines, stays on top of emerging trends, and effectively develops and leads others to success.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in land use planning, urban planning, environmental planning, or regional planning, law or a law-related degree, public or business administration, public policy, or a closely related field;
Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience similar in complexity and scope to commercial and industrial development at the District, including California Environmental Quality Act experience and implementation of real estate development plans, projects, and programs at least three years of which were at a supervisory level; and
A current, valid California Class C driver’s license at time of appointment and maintained at all times thereafter in order to operate a vehicle on District business;
Experience in a public agency located within the California Coastal Zone or experience with a regulatory agency comparable to the California Coastal Commission
