Program Manager

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Job Req ID: 921 

Division: Asset Management 

Salary Range: $184,205.00 to $184,205.00 

Job Type: Unclassified     

Business Area: Real Estate & Airport Mgmt 

Personnel Area: Real Estate 

Closing Date: 08/13/2026 

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The Economic Development Department’s Real Estate Division is hiring a Program Manager to lead its Real Estate Lease Administration Team. The Real Estate Lease Administration administers the City's diverse real estate portfolio with over 520 agreements. The team negotiates, develops and administer lease agreements and permits for use of City-owned property by profit and non-profit organizations, citywide. This includes Mission Bay Park, Balboa Park, San Pasqual Valley. The Real Estate Lease Administration Team is also responsible for short-term permitting for use of city property, as well as facility management at the City Concourse.

The Program Manager is a management-level position. Under direction from the Deputy Director of Real Estate, the Program Manager will be responsible for managing a team of 14 staff and overseeing a real estate portfolio with over 520 agreements with varying levels of complexity. The Program Manager will also be responsible for negotiating complex real estate transactions, supervising and developing staff and planning and directing difficult, highly complex real estate transactions requiring advanced professional knowledge and skills. The Program Manager will direct, manage, and be responsible for providing leadership, direction, and developing policies and procedures.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Management of EDD’s Real Estate Division Lease Administration Team
• Oversight of Real Estate Portfolio (Approximately 500 agreements)
• Negotiating complex real estate transactions,
• Supervising and developing staff,
• Planning and directing difficult, highly complex special projects.
• Developing Lease Administration policies and procedures

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, real estate, business management or a related field, and
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience involving all major phases of the disposition of real estate. Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying.

Desirable Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Experience negotiating, interpreting and administering complex commercial lease agreements, licenses, permits and other real estate agreements;
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex workloads while establishing priorities, driving accountability and meeting critical deadlines;

• Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven work environment;
• Strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills;
• Knowledge of public sector real estate principles, laws and government processes;
• A commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility and innovation in government; 
• Collaborative skill in working with other city departments, businesses, the public, and other government agencies; 
• Ability to balance competing interests in a regulatory and political environment;
• Strong interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills; 
• Proficient in technology, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Share Point, Teams and Zoom.
• Active and genuine commitment to managing diversity in the workplace and encouraging high performing teams; 
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment, with tight time constraints, addressing the needs of multiple stakeholders; and,
• Demonstrated exceptional ability to manage and motivate people and teams.

The Department: 

The Economic Development Department (EDD) leads the City of San Diego’s efforts in real estate services, airport operations, cultural affairs, business and community engagement, and strategic partnerships to foster a thriving, inclusive economy. Guided by the City’s Economic Development Strategy, EDD focuses on four key goals: supporting workers and families, supporting small and local businesses, bolstering trade and innovation, and strengthening neighborhoods. EDD manages a diverse real estate portfolio that includes public facilities, parks, cultural landmarks like Balboa Park and Mission Bay, and more than 800 income-generating lease agreements. The Department also oversees Montgomery-Gibbs Executive and Brown Field Municipal Airports, which support over 1,500 jobs and $199 million in annual economic activity. The Real Estate and Lease Administration Division handles acquisitions, lease administration, valuations, and strategic partnerships, while the Airports Division ensures safe airport operations and collaborates with the FAA on infrastructure planning. Community and Business Engagement supports economic growth through small business programs, federal grant administration (CDBG, HOME, ESG), and oversight of the San Diego Promise Zone, which runs through June 2026. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Department of Cultural Affairs was integrated into EDD, expanding its focus on creative workforce development, arts funding, public art, and the implementation of the City’s 10-year Creative City cultural plan. The Business Operations and Support Services Division supports all financial, operational, and grant functions across the department, ensuring effective service delivery that enhances quality of life throughout San Diego.

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) 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.