THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of San José is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as its next Chief Intergovernmental Relations Officer. This is a rare opportunity to represent one of the nation’s most innovative and diverse cities on the regional, state, and federal stage. The successful candidate will be the City’s voice and advocate on issues that shape the future of San José—building coalitions, influencing policy, and advancing initiatives that impact nearly one million residents. This role offers the chance to navigate high-visibility legislative arenas, cultivate relationships with decision-makers at every level of government, and ensure San José’s priorities are front and center in shaping California’s and the nation’s future. For an experienced legislative professional, this is both a platform and a calling: to help lead a world-class city through bold advocacy and effective intergovernmental partnerships.

THE CITY OF SAN JOSÉ

Known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” the City of San José plays a vital economic and cultural role anchoring the world’s leading region of innovation. Encompassing approximately 181 square miles at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay, San José is Northern California’s largest city and the 13th largest city in the nation. With nearly one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States. San José’s quality of life is unsurpassed. Surrounded by the Diablo and Santa Cruz mountain ranges and enjoying an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, residents have easy access to the beaches along the California coast, including Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel; Yosemite and Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada; local and Napa Valley wine country; and the rich cultural and recreational life of the entire Bay region. San José has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods and healthy lifestyle. For more information about the unparalleled quality of life in San José, please visit Why San Jose?

THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION, POLICY, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS (API)

The City Manager’s Office of Administration, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations is responsible for administrative support, policy analysis, and intergovernmental affairs. Administrative duties include oversight, management, and planning of the City Manager's Office budget, contract development and management, fiscal and purchasing services, hiring and retention of staff in the City Manager's Office, management of administrative staff, strategic and operational support for city-wide initiatives, and coordination of multi-departmental Public Record Act (PRA) requests. Policy duties include City Council and Committee agenda services and tracking of referrals, oversight of the design of complex, interdepartmental or interjurisdictional policy and special initiatives, support of program evaluations, strategic planning efforts, and the strategic support for the City Council’s and City Manager’s focus areas. Intergovernmental Relations duties include tracking, monitoring and advocating for legislation at the federal, state, and local levels, and oversight of the state and federal lobbying contracts.

THE POSITION

The City of San José seeks an experienced legislative professional to lead the City’s Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) team within API. This position reports to the API Director and currently supervises two direct reports in addition to leading an interdepartmental legislative team, managing two lobbying firms (state and federal), and overseeing the lobbying contracts. IGR is responsible for managing the City’s regional, state, and federal legislative priorities as defined by the City’s Legislative Program that is approved by City Council on an annual basis. This includes initiating and influencing legislation at all levels, monitoring state and national legislation that affects the City, coordinating with legislative liaisons within City departments, engaging in regional coordination, and crafting and executing strategies with the City's state and federal legislative advocates.

The Chief Intergovernmental Relations Officer position, which is classified as a Deputy Director, communicates regularly with federal, state, and local elected officials, exchanging information to keep them informed on issues that have an impact on the City. The position provides the City’s elected officials and Senior and Department staff with information about federal and state legislation, hearings, regulations, reports, studies, agencies, and stakeholders. The Chief Intergovernmental Relations Officer will work on a wide variety of issues with an opportunity to affect change by advocating for the City’s legislative agenda and goals. This role requires leadership capacity to support the larger API office, as needed, with expertise to advise on and support the development of complex policy issues at the city level.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a discipline related to the business performed by the department. A Master’s degree is preferred and may substitute for one year of required experience.

Experience: Six years of management and/or administrative experience in government or private business/industry.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary range for this position is $161,513 to $260,737 which includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The final candidate’s qualifications and experience will determine the actual salary.

The City provides an excellent array of benefits, including sick leave, holidays, vehicle allowance and a technology stipend. Additional details can be found in the Executive Management and Professional Employees Benefit and Compensation Summary. For more information on employee benefits, visit the City’s Human Resources Benefits Website.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

This recruitment will close on Friday, September 19, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. To apply, please complete an application via the City of San José’s website at:

www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers

Most qualified candidates will be invited to panel interviews that are tentatively scheduled between September 26, 2025, and October 10, 2025.

If you have questions, please contact Edwin Huertas, Senior Executive Analyst, at (408) 535-8100 or Edwin.Huertas@sanjoseca.gov.

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Chief Intergovernmental Relations Officer

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