Housing Policy Program Manager

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Job Req ID:​ 975 

Division: Housing Policy & Enviromental Analysis 

Salary Range: $176,842.00 to $176,842.00 

Job Type: Unclassified     

Business Area: City Planning 

Personnel Area: City Planning 

Closing Date: 09/24/2026 

​*Please Note: Current employees must apply through SuccessFactors*

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Housing Policy & Environmental Analysis, this management position would be overseeing the City Planning Department’s Housing Policy section. The section is responsible for several key Department work program items to develop policies designed to accelerate housing production, reverse historic zoning inequities, and streamline development approvals. These items include major zoning reforms and plans and policies that achieve the City’s housing goals, including its commitment to affirmatively furthering fair housing. The section also implements the Regional Housing Needs Assessment process including the preparation and implementation of the City’s Housing Element, collects and reports on home permitting data, analyzes state legislation, and oversees the certification of the City’s Local Coastal Program. Additionally, the staff in the section review project proposals for consistency with the City’s General Plan and Community Plans.

The Program Manager is responsible for managing the section to complete its tasks on schedule and ensuring the Department goals and standards are met. The section has 11 full-time staff including two Principal Planners who would report to the Program Manager. This is a hybrid work in the office and telework position, pursuant to the Department requirements, however, Program Managers may be required to work in the office at additional times as determined by the Deputy Director or Director.

Qualifications and Experience:  

Candidates must be an experienced individual with a passion to motivate and lead a team in a department that is tasked with creating a great, equitable and sustainable city. The individual must have excellent leadership, analytical, written and verbal communication, organizational, and program and project management skills. The candidate must be a self-starter that that excels at working collaboratively, passionately furthers planning staff development, ensures deadlines are met, provides quality control, respects and values diverse perspectives, and thinks critically. 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Direct daily operations and supervise personnel within the Housing Policy section
• Manage and execute high-complexity items on the City Planning Department Work Program
• Communicate and strategize with Department management on housing and zoning policies
• Develop and implement project schedules and workflow to assign duties and assignments within the section
• Work collaboratively with the Department's management team and staff on projects;
• Complete and conduct staff performance plans/evaluations;
• Coordinate with other City Departments, government agencies, and stakeholders
• Represent the Department at Planning Commission and City Council hearings
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field; and  

• Four (4) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience; and 

• Six (6) years of full-time professional employment reflecting work in city planning, housing policy, local government, or a related field; or  

• Any combination of education and experience that demonstrate these qualifications may be qualifying. 

Desirable Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Strong understanding of local, state and federal laws and regulations related to planning, housing, environmental protection, land use, infrastructure, and public spaces planning;
• Proficiency and understanding of matters related to planning, housing, innovation, sustainability, and equity pursuant to State and local regulatory standards and goals;
• Experience with policy and ordinance development to improve citywide development review processes, reflect state regulatory changes, and amendments to resolve internal regulatory inconsistencies; 
• Experience working on long-range plans, policies and programs within the state of California or another highly regulated jurisdiction;
• Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment without being political;
• Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences, including members of the public, elected officials, and various levels of City management;
• Ability to see the bigger picture and ensure the development of plans that are implementable;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with tight time constraints;   
• Strong management skills with proven experience managing high-performing and happy teams; 
• Experience in the preparation and execution of large-scale programs, plans, and projects with successful results and meeting goals and milestones; 

• Strong analytical abilities, including a thorough understanding of common data analysis tools and programs; 

• Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative. 

The Department: 

The Planning Department oversees the maintenance and refinement of the General Plan and community plans, ensuring they align with community values, state laws, and evolving needs. The department is organized into the Long-Range Planning Division, the Environmental & Resource Analysis Division, and the Financial & Administrative Services Division, along with the Facilities Financing Program. The department’s mission is to develop plans, policies, and regulations that promote housing and job creation, further climate goals, protect the environment, improve public spaces, and advance social equity. It ensures public engagement, especially from traditionally underrepresented communities, to create plans that meet the needs of all San Diego residents. For more information, please visit this link.

The City:

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan".

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budget of approximately $6.42 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Benefits:

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.). 
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate. 
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance. 

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees  (Download PDF reader)  (Download PDF reader)or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:

Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information.  Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.

The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.