Director of Public Affairs (0953 Deputy Director III) - DPH - EXEMPT

About the role

The Director of Public Affairs (0953 Deputy Director III) is a senior executive-level manager responsible for department-wide public affairs, communications, public records, and media strategy affecting multiple major divisions within DPH, including Population Health, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Laguna Honda Hospital, Behavioral Health, Primary Care, and Administration.

Responsibilities

• Directs the development and implementation of department-wide public affairs, communications, and media strategies spanning multiple DPH divisions
• Ensures alignment between public messaging, department priorities, and operational realities
• Independently represents DPH on highly complex and sensitive public health issues affecting public safety, regulatory standing, and departmental credibility
• Provides executive oversight of public records and disclosure functions, including coordination with designated custodians and legal partners
• Covers executive strategy, coordination, and execution
• Coordinates and aligns senior executives across DPH, under deputized authority of the Director of Health and the Deputy Director of Health, to resolve cross-divisional issues requiring policy, procedural, or communications solutions including disclosure-related matters
• Sets department-wide priorities and sequencing of public-facing initiatives and guides leadership through decision points
• Reinforces execution discipline through structured coordination, issue resolution, and escalation of risks and trade-offs
• Leads media strategy and oversees all media relations for the department
• Consults and coordinates with the Mayor’s Office and Board of Supervisors on public health policy messaging
• Represents the department before commissions, boards, committees, and federal, state, and local agencies
• Covers crisis, emergency, and high-impact issue leadership
• Leads public affairs and communications strategy during public health emergencies, regulatory actions, and other high-impact events
• Ensures rapid, accurate, and coordinated communication and information disclosure across leadership, operational divisions, and external stakeholders
• Directs department-wide communications and public affairs functions and associated public records operations
• Learns and supports subordinate managers to promote high standards of performance and continuous improvement
• Develops, administers, and monitors budgets exceeding $5 million, including legislative and policy matters affecting $10+ million in revenues and expenditures

Requirements

• Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, AND Experience: Four (4) years of managerial experience in public affairs, communications, government affairs, media management, or a closely related field, all of which must include supervision of staff.

Qualifications

• Education Substitution: Additional qualifying experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis for up to 2 years. One year is equivalent to thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units.
• Desirable Qualifications: Experience working in public-sector public affairs, preferably within a public health, homelessness, or healthcare system; Knowledge of City and County of San Francisco governmental structures and public health issues; Experience communicating complex legislative, regulatory, and administrative issues to the public.

Pay

$200,538 and $255,996 Annually (Range A)

Schedule

Onsite