The Assistant Department Director of the Business Support Branch for the Public Utilities Department oversees the Finance, Innovation and Technology, and Employee Services & Quality Assurance divisions. The Business Support Branch manages financial forecasts, rate setting for water and wastewater enterprise systems, budgeting, accounts payable, grants management, innovative and technological solutions, security, training, human resources, contracts management, procurement, and records management. Additionally, this role supports the Department Director and Executive Assistant Director in making critical policy decisions that impact the department's staff, other City of San Diego departments, PUD consumers, and the general public.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the branch.
• Lead efforts to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions for efficient utility operations.
• Provide focused leadership for enhanced customer service and customer satisfaction.
• Manage diversity in the workplace and encourage high-performing teams.
• Represent the Department before various governing bodies within the City, including oversight committees, City Council, Civil Service Commission, etc.
• Participate in negotiations with various agencies, working closely with elected officials, community leaders, and representatives from those agencies to achieve resolutions or decisions.
• Cultivate relationships with key regulatory agencies to ensure all regulatory requirements and milestones are met.
• Lead the preparation of the Branch’s annual operating, capital outlay, and personnel budget, including justifying budget requests and monitoring expenditures against goals and objectives.
• Represent the Department at various industry and professional forums.
• Establish and coordinate Department administrative policies within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Work collaboratively with other department managers and their staff to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Department.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field, and
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial experience and experience managing large water or wastewater utilities.

Desirable Qualifications :

• Progressively responsible management experience in water or wastewater operations.
• Progressively responsible experience demonstrating readiness to lead a department comprised of administrative, field operations, technical, and finance staff.
• Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate a political environment without being political.
• Demonstrated exceptional ability to manage and motivate people and teams.
• Focus on enhanced customer service and customer satisfaction.
• Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences, including elected officials, various levels of City management, and members of the public.
• Ability to balance competing interests in a regulatory and political environment.
• Ability to comprehend technical details and understand how they relate to and impact the “big picture.”
• Strong quantitative analytical abilities, including a thorough understanding of common data analysis tools and programs.
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information in a simple, clear, and straightforward manner, including using graphs and tables as needed.
• A commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility, and innovation in government.
• Experience in developing and managing a complex budget.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement and performance excellence.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Energetic and motivated, with the ability and desire to take initiative.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with tight time constraints.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions.
• Active and genuine commitment to managing diversity in the workplace and encouraging high-performing teams.
• An understanding of public entity personnel and labor relations principles, policies, and procedures.
• Has background overseeing finance, IT, and/or employee services and quality assurance.

Benefits:

• Defined retirement plan , including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service and approximately 216 hours for 16 years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $2,000 per fiscal year and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance.