Salary: $170,356.77 - $255,025.90 Annually
Location : City of Long Beach, CA
Job Type: Unclassified - Full-Time, Permanent
Job Number: U26-SDA
Department: Long Beach Utilities - (UC)
Division: UT-ADMIN-ADMIN
Opening Date: 05/27/2026
DESCRIPTIONTHE POSITION The Department is currently recruiting for a full-time, unclassified Senior Director of Administration. This position is at-will. Under the direction of the Assistant General Manager (AGM), oversees, directs and supports short and long-term planning for Personnel Services, Occupational Safety and Personnel, Policies and Procedures within the Long Beach Utilities Department. The Senior Director of Administration is responsible for overseeing a staff of 16.0 and manages the three functional areas of: Human Resources, Safety Programs, and Personnel, Policies, and Procedures.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIESIDEAL CANDIDATEThe ideal candidate for the Senior Director of Administration, Human Resources position is a collaborative, strategic, and emotionally intelligent leader with deep expertise in public sector human resources, labor relations, organizational development, occupational safety, and administrative operations. This individual brings a strong customer service-oriented mindset based on relationship building with the exceptional ability to establish trust and gain credibility across all levels of the organization while supporting a diverse workforce of approximately 500 employees across more than 100 classifications. The successful candidate is a forward-thinking leader who can balance strategic leadership with operational execution, effectively managing complex personnel matters, regulatory compliance, organizational change initiatives, enhance employee engagement and retention, and manage safety programs in a highly visible public agency environment.
Strategic and Operational Leadership- Ability to develop and implement long-range organizational strategies aligned with departmental priorities and operational goals.
- Effectively oversees multiple functional areas while maintaining attention to detail, accountability, and service delivery.
- Possesses strong organizational assessment and change management skills.
- Ability to collaborate with various City departments (Administrative Officers) to consult and comply with City Charter provisions.
- Uses data, metrics, and workforce trends to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
Human Resources and Employee Relations Expertise- Extensive knowledge of public sector human resources practices, employment law, labor relations, and employee relations.
- Demonstrated experience managing recruitment, classification, and compensation, performance management, investigations, discipline, leave administration, and workforce planning.
- Strong understanding of California employment laws including: FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, Workers' Compensation, EEO, and related compliance requirements.
- Experience partnering with legal counsel and representing management interests in disciplinary, grievance, and appeal processes.
- Skilled in building collaborative relationships with labor groups, employee associations, and management teams.
- Exceptional ability to broker and collaborate with City of Long Beach HR Department to consult regarding compliance issues related to all aspects of personnel transactions and processes.
Organizational Development and Culture- Champions employee engagement, workforce development, leadership training, and succession planning initiatives.
- Creates and sustains a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture built on accountability, communication, and collaboration.
- Demonstrates high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate sensitive personnel matters with professionalism and discretion.
- Skilled at coaching and developing supervisors and managers.
Communication and Relationship Building- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to executives, employees, labor representatives, governing bodies, and external stakeholders.
- Builds strong relationships through transparency, responsiveness, and credibility.
- Demonstrates political acumen and the ability to work effectively within a municipal utilities' public agency environment.
Safety and Risk Management Leadership- Demonstrated experience overseeing occupational safety programs in compliance with Cal/OSHA and other regulatory requirements.
- Knowledge of safety culture, incident and illness prevention, safety audits, investigations, and employee training programs.
- Experience supporting Return-to-Work programs and facilitating the Interactive Process for workplace accommodations.
- Ability to integrate safety priorities into organizational culture and operational practices.
REQUIREMENTS TO FILEMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - Seven years of increasingly responsible administrative experience in a public utility or related field, including three years in a supervisory role.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources, business or public administration or a related field. Professional experience beyond the minimum qualifications may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS- Experience in a dynamic service-oriented environment and a willingness to lead, learn and adapt.
- It would also be desirable if the candidate possess a graduate degree in business administration, public administration or management.
SELECTION PROCEDUREReview of applications will begin on June 19 and will continue until the position is filled. The position will close when an adequate number of qualified candidate applications are received.
To be considered, applicants must complete the online application and attach: (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) proof of education that reflects the scope and level of responsibilities relative to the Senior Director of Administration role at For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Patty Francisco, Ph.D. at (949) 500-0436 or
Upon review of applications received, the Department anticipates inviting a small group of finalists to interview in July 2026. An appointment is anticipated shortly thereafter, following the completion of reference and background checks. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered.
The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally. As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:
Retirement: California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% or 2.7% (depending on hire date) @55 for "Classic" members and 2% @62 for new members as defined by PEPRA, subject to the compensation limitations set by PERS. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.
Health and Dental Insurance: The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.
Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.
Disability Insurance: City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Management Physical: Annual City-paid physical examination.
Vacation: Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.
Executive Leave: Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.
Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.
Holidays: Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal
