Port Organizational Structure
The Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will have two key functions of equal importance. The first of these is to provide day-to-day management and tactical oversight for the Port’s operating divisions.
The Port of San Francisco is comprised of eight divisions: Executive; Finance and Administration; Real Estate and Development; Maritime; Maintenance; Engineering; Planning and Environment; and the Waterfront Resilience Program. The Executive Director will retain direct management for the Executive and Finance and Administration divisions. The Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will be charged with overseeing the work program for the operating divisions: Real Estate and Development; Maritime; Maintenance; Engineering; and Planning and Environment. The Deputy Directors for each of these divisions will be direct reports to the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer. Because the Waterfront Resilience Program is at a key strategic point in its development as it pivots from conceptual planning to design of specific segments of the line of defense, the Executive Director and the Assistant Port Director will share management of this division for a period of time before it eventually transitions to the Assistant Port Director’s operating portfolio.
For more information on each of these divisions, please see our website at: https://www.sfport.com/about/divisions-and-staff
The second key function for the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer is to contribute to the development and management of strategic direction for the full organization as a member of the Executive Division. The Executive Division reports directly to the Port Executive Director and includes the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer, Communications, Government Affairs, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity, Security, Port Commission Secretary and the Port’s General Counsel.
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Communications, Government Affairs and Equity, Inclusion and Diversity develop and execute strategic initiatives in each applicable area.
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Security is responsible for developing, directing, and implementing a comprehensive homeland security program for the Port and its emergency plans and procedures, in preparation for and in response to emergencies and disasters. The team is also charged with ensuring public safety along the waterfront including during major civic events.
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The Port Commission Secretary serves as Secretary to the Port Commission and Executive Assistant to the Port Executive Director. The Port Commission Secretary prepares the agenda for Commission meetings in consultation with the Port Commission President and Port Executive Director; secures all required documentation for agenda items; prepares reports for Commission meetings; compiles and maintains records of proceedings of regular Commission meetings as well as special meetings and arranges for the distribution of the same; supervises the preparation of correspondence for the Commission; ensures that Commission-directed actions are executed by the Port promptly and correctly.
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The General Counsel Team is part of San Francisco’s City Attorney’s Office, which provides legal consultation and advice to the Port Commission, Executive Director and staff.
The Port of San Francisco is seeking a visionary, collaborative, and strategic executive to serve as its next Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this executive-level position serves as the Port’s second-in-command and provides executive oversight of the Port’s Operating divisions.
As the Port’s Chief Operating Officer, this position is responsible for advancing an integrated, enterprise-wide approach to managing one of the nation’s most diverse waterfront portfolios. The Assistant Port Director provides strategic leadership over the Port’s maritime industries, commercial real estate, waterfront development, and public-private partnerships while ensuring that business operations align with the Port’s long-term financial, operational, and public policy objectives.
This executive will help shape the future of San Francisco’s waterfront by integrating maritime commerce, real estate development, public access, infrastructure investment, resilience improvements and asset management into a cohesive business strategy. The successful candidate will foster collaboration across divisions, improve organizational effectiveness, identify new business opportunities, and maximize the long-term value of the Port’s assets while advancing economic development, environmental stewardship, and public benefit.
Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Port Commission, the Assistant Port Director/Chief Operating Officer will work closely with executive leadership, tenants, developers, elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, labor partners, and regional stakeholders to advance strategic initiatives and strengthen the Port’s position as a world-class waterfront and economic engine for the City and County of San Francisco.