Deputy Director, Econ/Workforce Dev

City-of-Oakland,-Ca; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oakland seeks a Deputy Director of Economic & Workforce Development to lead the Workforce Development Division and serve as Executive Director of the Oakland Workforce Development Board (OWDB). You will set strategic directions for Oakland's workforce system, oversee WIOA program administration, budgeting, contracting, and performance monitoring, and partner with multiple agencies.

Reporting to the Director, you will collaborate with City departments and stakeholders to advance

Qualifications

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field; a master's is desirable.
• Five years of progressive administrative experience in economic or business development, with supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct strategic leadership of complex workforce initiatives and projects.
• Provide executive support to the Oakland Workforce Development Board (OWDB) and govern its functions.
• Oversee budgeting, contracting, and performance monitoring of WIOA programs.
• Build partnerships with federal, state, regional, and local agencies and stakeholders.
• Develop policies and procedures ensuring regulatory compliance and measurable outcomes.
• Negotiate high-level contracts and manage performance against benchmarks.
• Supervise staff, promote professional development, and ensure accountability.
• Prepare data-driven reports for City leadership and council on program impact.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Public-sector program management

Budget & fiscal oversight

Board governance

Stakeholder engagement

Policy & regulatory expertise

People leadership

Executive communication

Adaptive resilience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy/administration/economics/urban planning or related field

Master’s degree desirable

Job description

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the Workforce Development Division of the City's Economic and Workforce Development Department?

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.

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

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.

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.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers:

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found at: Working for Oakland