City and County of San Francisco · 18 hours ago
Director of Public Affairs (0953 Deputy Director III) - DPH - EXEMPT
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$197K/yr - $251K/yr
4+ years expThe City and County of San Francisco is seeking a Director of Public Affairs to lead department-wide public affairs and communications strategies. This senior executive-level role involves overseeing media relations, legislative messaging, and public-facing strategies to enhance public trust and advance public health priorities.
GovernmentSmall and Medium Businesses
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
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
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
Directly supervises department-wide communications and public affairs functions and associated public records operations
Leads 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
The Director of Public Affairs (0953 Deputy Director III) may perform other duties as assigned/required
Qualification
Required
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
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
Preferred
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
Company
City and County of San Francisco
City and County of San Francisco is the only consolidated city-county in California.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Linda Gerull
City CIO, Executive Director of the Department of Technology
T
Thomas DiSanto
Chief Administrative Officer, SF Planning Department
Recent News
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