SENIOR DIRECTOR - ADMINISTRATION

About the role

The Department is currently recruiting for a full-time, unclassified Senior Director of Administration. This position is at-will. Under the direction of the Assistant General Manager (AGM), the Senior Director of Administration oversees, directs, and supports short and long-term planning for Personnel Services, Occupational Safety and Personnel, Policies and Procedures within the Long Beach Utilities Department.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-range organizational strategies aligned with departmental priorities and operational goals.
• Effectively oversee multiple functional areas while maintaining attention to detail, accountability, and service delivery.
• Possess strong organizational assessment and change management skills.
• Collaborate with various City departments (Administrative Officers) to consult and comply with City Charter provisions.
• Use data, metrics, and workforce trends to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage recruitment, classification, and compensation, performance management, investigations, discipline, leave administration, and workforce planning.
• Partner with legal counsel and represent management interests in disciplinary, grievance, and appeal processes.
• Build collaborative relationships with labor groups, employee associations, and management teams.
• Consult regarding compliance issues related to all aspects of personnel transactions and processes.
• Create and sustain a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture built on accountability, communication, and collaboration.
• Show high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and professionalism in navigating sensitive personnel matters.
• Coach and develop supervisors and managers.
• Communicate complex information clearly and effectively to executives, employees, labor representatives, governing bodies, and external stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships through transparency, responsiveness, and credibility.
• Show political acumen and effective working within a municipal utilities' public agency environment.
• Oversee occupational safety programs in compliance with Cal/OSHA and other regulatory requirements.
• Support Return-to-Work programs and facilitate the Interactive Process for workplace accommodations.
• Integrate safety priorities into organizational culture and operational practices.

Requirements

• Seven years of increasingly responsible administrative experience in a public utility or related field, including three years in a supervisory role.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources, business or public administration or a related field.
• Professional experience beyond the minimum qualifications may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Desirable Qualifications: Experience in a dynamic service-oriented environment and a willingness to lead, learn, and adapt. A graduate degree in business administration, public administration or management is desirable.

Selection Procedure

Review of applications will begin on June 19 and will continue until the position is filled. The position will close when an adequate number of qualified candidate applications are received. To be considered, applicants must complete the online application and attach: (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) proof of education that reflects the scope and level of responsibilities relative to the Senior Director of Administration role at www.longbeach.gov/jobs. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Patty Francisco, Ph.D. at (949) 500-0436 or pfrancisco@solutions-mrg.com.

The Department anticipates inviting a small group of finalists to interview in July 2026. An appointment is anticipated shortly thereafter, following the completion of reference and background checks.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered.

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.