Salary : $172,963.80 - $212,374.44 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 26-EM139-07
Department: Economic & Workforce Development Department
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UM1

The Position

The Deputy Director of Economic & Workforce Development manages the Workforce Development Division and serves as the Executive Director of Oakland's Workforce Development Board (OWDB). In this dual leadership role, you will provide strategic direction for Oakland's workforce system by developing innovative workforce strategies that strengthen businesses, expand employment opportunities, and promote long-term economic vitality for Oakland residents.

Reporting to the Director of the Economic & Workforce Development Department, you will oversee administration of the City's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, including budgeting, contracting, performance monitoring, and compliance. You will cultivate partnerships with federal, state, regional, and local agencies; collaborate with City departments and community stakeholders; supervise and develop staff; and serve as the mayor's liaison to the Workforce Development Board.

This is a unique opportunity to shape workforce policy, strengthen regional partnerships, and expand equitable access to quality jobs while advancing the City's vision for inclusive economic growth.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A Visionary and Strategic Workforce Leader. You will set bold goals and develop innovative workforce strategies that help job seekers, businesses, and industries achieve economic vitality across Oakland, while aligning initiatives with federal, state, and local policy frameworks.
• Experienced in Public-Sector program and Fiscal Management. You will oversee complex system administration under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), including budgeting, contracting with service providers, performance monitoring, stewardship of public workforce resources, and identifying opportunities to leverage additional funding through government grants and philanthropic partnerships.
• An Exceptional Ambassador and Relationship Builder. You will serve as the mayor's liaison to the Workforce Development Board while cultivating partnerships with employers, labor organizations, community groups, funding agencies, and other public entities to strengthen Oakland's workforce system.
• A Collaborative and Solutions-Oriented Leader. You will work across City departments and with internal teams to coordinate initiatives, resolve complex issues, and align workforce priorities across multiple stakeholders.
• An Effective People and Organizational Leader. You will assign, coach, and develop staff; oversee project implementation; establish clear accountability; and strengthen systems that promote quality, consistency, and continuous improvement across workforce programs.
• Policy-Savvy and Results-Driven. You will develop policies and procedures that reflect best practices, ensure regulatory compliance, advance measurable outcomes, and promote continuous improvement.
• Adaptive and Resilient. You will navigate evolving workforce trends, funding landscapes, and community needs with flexibility, sound judgment, and a commitment to equity and opportunity for all Oakland residents.
• Strong in Executive Communication and Public Engagement. You will confidently present information to elected officials, community partners, and other stakeholders; facilitate public meetings; and clearly and effectively communicate complex workforce initiatives.
• Highly Organized and able to Manage Competing Priorities. You will manage multiple high-priority initiatives, balance competing demands, and exercise sound judgement to advance critical workforce objectives.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Strategic Project Leadership. Directing the full lifecycle of complex projects, from long-range planning and organizational design to successful implementation and quality control, ensuring alignment with the mayor's vision and City goals.
• Board Governance & Executive Support. Providing high-level staff support and strategic direction to the Oakland Workforce Development Board (OWDB), facilitating board functions, policy development, and the execution of the WDB mission.
• Fiscal & Budgetary Oversight. Leading the preparation, administration, and forecasting of project budgets; managing WIOA allocations and leveraging additional funding through government grants and philanthropic partnerships.
• Stakeholder & Community Engagement. Acting as the primary liaison between the City Council, the Workforce Development Board, and private groups, building strategic alliances with labor, business, and community organizations to promote local hiring and workforce awareness.
• Regulatory & Policy Compliance. Developing and implementing policies, procedures, and evaluation tools that ensure all project activities remain compliant with WIOA regulations, local laws, and established administrative standards.
• Contract & Performance Management. Negotiating and administering high-level contracts with service providers and project participants, ensuring all deliverables meet cost, schedule, and benchmarks.
• Personnel Management & Development. Supervising, evaluating, and mentoring assigned staff, fostering a professional environment through active training, resource assignment, and performance development.
• Reporting & Executive Communication. Preparing highly responsible staff reports and data-driven evaluation tools for the City Administrator and council to demonstrate the impact, efficacy, and progress of workforce initiatives.

Read the complete job description by clicking the link below:
Click on the link below to see what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
A few reasons you might love this job:

• Advance equity through workforce opportunity. You will shape strategies that expand access to quality jobs and training for Oakland residents.
• Lead at the center of the action. You will serve as a high-visibility leader working with the city leadership, employers, system stakeholders, and community partners to drive workforce innovation.
• Build impact at scale. You will guide a Citywide workforce system that connects businesses, training providers, and job seekers to strengthen Oakland's economy.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Navigating complex regulations. You will oversee programs with detailed compliance and reporting requirements tied to workforce funding.
• Operating amid federal policy uncertainty. You will manage programs that depend on federal funding streams and shifting national priorities.
• Balancing diverse stakeholder priorities. You will align the goals of government, employers, labor, educational institutions, community organizations, and job seekers to move initiatives forward.

Competencies Required:

• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.
• Allocating Resources: Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness.
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner.
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Industry Monitoring: Grasping the external political, economic, competitive, and social factors affecting the industry.
• Political & Organizational Savvy: Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries.
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job

Minimum Requirements for Application

The following qualifications are guidelines, as the appointing authority has broad discretion in filling positions in this classification.

Education:Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, in public policy, public administration, business administration, economics, finance, urban planning, or a closely related field. A master's degree in a related field is desirable.

Experience:Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience performing complex administrative duties in an economic or business development environment, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to the Economic & Workforce Development Department for further consideration.
Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration; only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Please note: Salary is negotiable within the defined range depending on qualifications.
Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found at:

How to Apply

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user on the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system.
For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Paul at
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
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02

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