Assistant Director of Housing
THE OPPORTUNITY
Few issues are more consequential to San José’s future than housing affordability, housing production, and homelessness. As Assistant Director, you will help advance some of the City’s highest priorities while providing the leadership needed to support a complex and highly visible department. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to strengthen the systems, people, and partnerships behind San José’s ambitious housing agenda.
THE CITY OF SAN JOSÉ
Known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” the City of San José plays a vital economic and cultural role in anchoring the world’s leading innovation region. 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. Enjoying an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, residents have easy access to the beaches along the California coast; 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. For more information about the unparalleled quality of life in San José, please visit Why San Jose?
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT
The City of San Jose’s Housing Department’s mission is to strengthen and to revitalize the community through housing and neighborhood investments. The Housing Department has a budget of $284 million and 129 positions, funded over 21,000 affordable units and incentive over 3,000 market-rate units, oversees the Rent Stabilization Program providing administrative oversight to over 96,000 units, and is implementing innovative programs to achieve housing abundance, while striving to bring unsheltered homelessness in San Jose to functional zero through the implementation of an expansive shelter system comprising of over 2,000 units owned and operated by the City of San Jose, and achieving throughput to permanent housing.
THE POSITION
The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Housing, and works closely with him, the two Deputy Directors, the Housing Department’s Leadership Team, and the City’s management team. The Assistant Director will initially have five direct reports (including the two Deputy Directors) and will oversee the Administrative Office and the Grants Division. The Assistant Director is responsible for the administration and operations of the Housing Department, including the budget, Human Resources, Technology, Emergency Response, and Communications.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, or a discipline related to the department’s operations. A Master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the department’s functional area or a closely related field including five (5) years of experience supervising managers and other professional staff, managing programs, services, or operations within a complex public or private organization.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The Assistant Director salary range is currently $190,517.34 – $307,769.02 which includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Placement will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the individual selected. For detailed benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
Apply immediately, as initial review of candidate materials is tentatively scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026. Your resume should reflect years and months of employment, beginning/ending dates, as well as the size of staff and budgets you have managed. Submit your resume and cover letter at:
