Head of Project Development Management

Manager of Waterfront Development Projects - Real Estate and Development Division

Development Leadership and Project Management

Leads and oversees the Port's most complex waterfront development, infrastructure, and public-private partnership (P3) projects from conception through implementation and closeout.

Establishes project strategies, priorities, schedules, budgets, and transaction frameworks that support the Port's strategic, financial, operational, and policy objectives.

Directs multidisciplinary teams responsible for planning, financial analysis, environmental review, regulatory approvals, real estate transactions, construction coordination, and project implementation.

Monitors project performance, identifies issues affecting scope, schedules, or budgets, and develops solutions to advance project objectives.

Structures, negotiates, and executes complex public-private partnerships (P3s), ground leases, disposition and development agreements, exclusive negotiation agreements, easements, and other real estate agreements for major waterfront development projects.

Develops innovative transaction structures that balance public benefits, financial viability, operational needs, and long-term stewardship of Port assets.

Evaluates financial feasibility, business terms, project risks, and market conditions to support informed decision-making and successful project outcomes.

Identifies and mitigates legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks associated with complex development projects.

Regulatory Coordination and Public Process

Directs environmental review and entitlement strategies to ensure projects comply with CEQA, NEPA, the Public Trust Doctrine, BCDC, State Lands Commission requirements, and other applicable federal, state, regional, and local laws and regulations.

Coordinates public hearings, Port Commission actions, Board of Supervisors approvals, interagency coordination, and community engagement activities necessary to advance development projects.

Represents the Port before regulatory agencies, elected officials, developers, neighborhood organizations, community stakeholders, and other public bodies.

Strategic Planning and Policy Development

Develops policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives that support responsible waterfront redevelopment and implementation of the Port's Strategic Plan.

Evaluates emerging development opportunities, legislative initiatives, industry trends, and market conditions affecting Port-owned properties and recommends strategic responses.

Incorporates community benefits, workforce development, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and equity objectives into project planning and transaction negotiations.

Leadership and Organizational Management

Provides leadership, supervision, mentoring, coaching, and performance management for professional staff responsible for waterfront development projects.

Fosters a collaborative, innovative, accountable, and customer‑focused work environment.

Establishes performance expectations, allocates resources, and ensures projects are delivered efficiently and effectively.

Promotes continuous improvement in project management practices, policies, and service delivery.

Prepares and presents reports, policy recommendations, project updates, and transaction strategies to executive leadership, the Port Commission, City officials, developers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

Communicates complex financial, legal, technical, and policy issues to diverse audiences and facilitates consensus among competing interests.

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Real Estate, Finance, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Law, or a related field.

Five (5) years of progressively responsible management‑level experience leading complex waterfront, real estate development, infrastructure development, or public‑private partnership projects, including negotiation of major transaction agreements and coordination of multidisciplinary teams responsible for project planning, financial analysis, environmental review, regulatory approvals, public engagement, and project implementation.

Additional qualifying full‑time work experience (2,000 hours equal one year) as described above may substitute up to two (2) years of the required education. One (1) year of work experience equals 30 semester units or 45 quarter units.

Experience structuring and negotiating complex public-private partnerships (P3s) and real‑estate transaction agreements, including Development Agreements, Disposition and Development Agreements, Ground Leases, and Exclusive Negotiation Agreements.

Comprehensive knowledge of real‑estate finance, land use planning, waterfront development, and public sector real‑estate practices.

Experience with CEQA, NEPA, the Public Trust Doctrine, BCDC, State Lands Commission requirements, and other regulatory processes governing waterfront development.

Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex, high‑profile development projects involving multiple stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively negotiate with developers, regulatory agencies, community organizations, elected officials, and other stakeholders.

Experience incorporating community benefits, workforce development, climate resilience, historic preservation, sustainability, and equity objectives into development projects.

All application information will be kept confidential in accordance with 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 categories under the law.

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