Deputy Director of Finance and Administration - Port of San Francisco (0953)

The Port of San Francisco is accepting applications for a permanent exempt Deputy Director of Finance and Administration.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:

• Application Opening: 08/12/2025
• Application Deadline: 09/10/2025
• Annual Compensation Range: $193,700 - $247,260 
• Recruitment ID: RTF0157084-01109909

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 serve at the Appointing Officer’s discretion.

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, equity, 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 Finance and Administration Division 

The Deputy Director of Finance and Administration is a critical executive leader at the Port of San Francisco. As one of six Deputy Directors, this position will function as the Chief Financial Officer responsible for developing and implementing the Port’s Strategic Plan through cross-functional leadership, fiscal expertise, and strategic problem-solving. 

This Deputy Director oversees Accounting, Business Services, Contracting and Procurement, Finance, Grants Administration, Human Resources and Information Technology – ensuring each function delivers the systems, tools, and talent essential for the Port to succeed. 

The Port of San Francisco is seeking a bold, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Deputy Director of Finance and Administration. This executive-level position will oversee the Port’s administrative organization and has a critical role in shaping the Port’s financial health, operational effectiveness, and strategic future. 

This is more than a traditional finance role. We are seeking a leader who will bring integrity, focus, and unwavering commitment to the Port’s public mission. This leader will champion equity and inclusion, guiding innovative Human Resources strategies to attract and retain top talent while ensuring a healthy workplace where all Port staff are empowered to make their best contribution. They will navigate contracting and procurement with both rigor and creativity, removing bottlenecks and opening opportunities for underrepresented businesses.

This Deputy Director will serve as the Port’s chief steward of financial well-being and as a vital partner to leadership across all divisions, guiding strategic decisions, solving complex problems, and helping to build a resilient and innovative organization. 

The successful candidate will bring technological acumen and the drive to modernize an organization that is still working to overcome longstanding technology gaps. They will be a systems thinker who can streamline contracting, one of our biggest organizational bottlenecks, by leveraging the talents of a strong team and implementing more efficient approaches. 

This position will lead rigorous financial analysis and problem-solving on our most difficult questions: How can we support enterprise operations on constrained budgets? How do we address the perilous condition of Port facilities when resources fall far short of needs? This role will target strategic investments and oversee data-driven solutions that move us toward financial resilience. 

Key Leadership Responsibilities 

• Serve as a strategic advisor and business partner to the Executive Director and fellow Deputy Directors. 
• Lead a team of six senior managers and approximately 45 staff across the Finance and Administration division.
• Align fiscal strategy, capital planning, and budgeting with Port priorities to reflect economic vitality, equity, and resilience. 
• Provide critical financial planning and analysis to guide enterprise-level decision-making and investment. 

 Core Areas of Oversight 

• Business Services: Ensure the efficient operation of facilities, vehicles, and administrative services to support daily Port operations.
• Contracting & Procurement: Oversee all procurement activities, including Request for Proposals (RFP) development, selection processes, and compliance with equity-focused contracting goals. 
• Finance & Accounting: Lead budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audits, and financial compliance; develop 2-year operating and capital budgets, 5-year financial plans, and a 10-year capital plan. 
• Human Resources: Drive talent acquisition, labor relations, racial equity initiatives, training, and risk management in partnership with HR leadership. 
• Information Technology: Advance enterprise-wide technology modernization, including leading transitions to new citywide financial systems. 

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 in accounting, finance, public policy, business administration, or a closely related field. 

Experience 

Six (6) years of experience leading a finance and administrative group or in closely related fields, with significant management responsibility. 

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 Finance and Administration will be a bold, strategic, and collaborative leader who combines financial expertise with operational expertise. This leader will have a proven record of managing complex budgets, streamlining administrative systems, and modernizing technology to improve efficiency. A skilled communicator and trusted partner, this leader will inspire confidence, foster teamwork, and build strong relationships across the Port, City agencies, and the community.

The leader will possess: 

• Exceptional leadership skills that inspire confidence, accountability, and collaboration, empowering teams to excel.
• A proven ability to build trust with internal teams, City partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Demonstrated success managing complex financial, administrative, and operational functions in a large or multifaceted organization.
• Deep knowledge of public sector budgeting, accounting, contracting, and procurement, with the ability to navigate regulatory requirements while driving efficiency.
• Strategic thinking and financial acumen to align long-term capital planning, operating budgets, and investment strategies with organizational priorities.
• Experience modernizing administrative and technology systems to close operational gaps and improve service delivery.
• Strong communication skills to convey complex financial and operational issues to diverse audiences and listen actively to inform decision-making.
• Expertise in building cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and leveraging diverse perspectives to solve complex problems.
• Leadership by example, with adaptability to meet evolving organizational needs.
• Integrity, foresight, and a deep appreciation for the Port’s public mission.
• The ability to streamline processes, particularly in contracting and procurement, to remove bottlenecks and accelerate results.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices, with a focus on ensuring opportunities for underrepresented communities in Port operations and contracting.
• A Master’s degree in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration, or a related field is preferred.

The Ideal Candidate will be a champion of the Port’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, working to empower Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) in Port operations and opportunities through equitable policies and practices. 

Verification

Please make sure it is clear in 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.

Compensation: The normal annual salary range (A) is $193,700 and $247,260. 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.

Selection Procedures

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which may include the following: 

• Supplemental Questionnaire 

Qualified candidates will be sent a Supplemental Questionnaire after the closing of this filing period. Applicants will be given a deadline to return the Supplemental Questionnaire. The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to measure knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in job-related areas which have been identified as critical for positions in class 0953 Deputy Director of Finance and Administration.

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.