Successor Agency Team Program Manager

The City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined retirement plan with pension

Free transit pass

Paid holidays

Paid leave

Job summary

The City of San Diego’s Economic Development Department seeks a Program Manager to lead the Successor Agency and Dispositions Team, overseeing remaining obligations and real estate assets in compliance with Redevelopment Dissolution laws. You will coordinate with state and local bodies, manage complex transactions, and direct staff to ensure timely, compliant performance.

Responsibilities include negotiating DDAs, ground leases, covenants, licenses, and related instruments, plus preparing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, real estate, business management or a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience involving major phases of public sector real estate, redevelopment, or property management experience with asset disposition and enforceable obligations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Program leadership and portfolio oversight for the City’s Successor Agency, including disposition of assets and coordination with partner agencies.
• Negotiate complex redevelopment and real estate transactions and provide City approvals where prior obligations require action.
• Supervise, coach, and develop staff; lead one direct report and foster a high-performance culture.
• Plan and direct high-complexity projects, balancing legal, regulatory, fiscal, and stakeholder considerations.
• Prepare legally required reporting and governance documentation, coordinating with Oversight Board and State Department of Finance.

Skills

Public sector real estate experience

Negotiation

Staff development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration/real estate/management

Five years of public sector real estate experience (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Teams

Zoom

Job description

Job Req ID: 978

Division: Successor Agency

Salary Range: $176,842.00 to $176,842.00

Job Type: Unclassified

Business Area: Real Estate & Airport Mgmt

Personnel Area: Real Estate

Closing Date: 10/01/2026

The Economic Development Department’s Real Estate Division is hiring a Program Manager to lead its Successor Agency and Dispositions Team. The role will lead operations that administer remaining obligations and real estate assets of the former Redevelopment Agency, ensuring compliance with California’s Redevelopment Dissolution laws and alignment with City priorities. This position provides leadership for complex real estate and redevelopment transactions, statutory reporting, asset disposition, and interagency coordination (State Department of Finance, County Oversight Board, City Attorney’s Office, Civic San Diego) in support of community and economic development goals. The Program Manager is also responsible for overseeing all functions related to the sale of surplus property for the City of San Diego.

Under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Director of Real Estate, the Program Manager will oversee Successor Agency and disposition activities and manage one direct report. Responsibilities include negotiating complex agreements, supervising and developing staff, planning and directing high-complexity projects, and establishing policies and procedures that ensure compliant, efficient Successor Agency and disposition operations.

Key Areas Of Responsibility

• Program leadership and portfolio oversight for the City’s Successor Agency, including disposition of assets, compliance with Redevelopment Dissolution Law, and coordination with partner agencies and boards;
• Negotiating complex redevelopment and real estate transactions (e.g., DDAs, ground leases, covenants, licenses, permits, and related instruments) and providing City approvals/guidance where prior obligations require action;
• Supervising, coaching, and developing staff; leading one direct report and fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture;
• Planning and directing high complexity projects, balancing legal, regulatory, fiscal, and stakeholder considerations;
• Preparing legally required reporting and governance documentation, coordinating with the Oversight Board and State Department of Finance.
• Prepares and maintains records of Notices of Availability, Committee and Council dates, HCD submittal dates, and deadlines related to sale of City-owned property in a clear, concise, accurate and timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, real estate, business management or a related field, and
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience involving major phases of public sector real estate, redevelopment, or property management experience with asset disposition and enforceable obligations preferred.

Desirable Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Experience negotiating, interpreting and administering complex commercial lease agreements, licenses, permits and other real estate agreements;
• Experience and knowledge of Surplus Land Act
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex workloads while establishing priorities, driving accountability and meeting critical deadlines;
• Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven work environment;
• Strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills;
• Knowledge of public sector real estate principles, laws and government processes;
• A commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility and innovation in government;
• Collaborative skills in working with other city departments, businesses, the public, and other government agencies;
• Ability to balance competing interests in a regulatory and political environment;
• Strong interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills;
• Proficient in technology, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, and Zoom.
• Active and genuine commitment to managing diversity in the workplace and encouraging high-performing teams;
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment, with tight time constraints, addressing the needs of multiple stakeholders; and
• Demonstrated exceptional ability to manage and motivate people and teams.

The Department

The Economic Development Department (EDD) leads the City of San Diego’s efforts in real estate services, airport operations, cultural affairs, business and community engagement, and strategic partnerships to foster a thriving, inclusive economy. Guided by the City’s Economic Development Strategy, EDD focuses on four key goals: supporting workers and families, supporting small and local businesses, bolstering trade and innovation, and strengthening neighborhoods. EDD manages a diverse real estate portfolio that includes public facilities, parks, cultural landmarks like Balboa Park and Mission Bay, and more than 800 income-generating lease agreements.

The Department also oversees Montgomery-Gibbs Executive and Brown Field Municipal Airports, which support over 1,500 jobs and $199 million in annual economic activity.

The Real Estate and Lease Administration Division handles acquisitions, lease administration, valuations, and strategic partnerships, while the Airports Division ensures safe airport operations and collaborates with the FAA on infrastructure planning. Community and Business Engagement supports economic growth through small business programs, federal grant administration (CDBG, HOME, ESG), and creative workforce development, arts funding, public art, and the implementation of the City’s 10-year Creative City cultural plan.

The Business Operations and Support Services Division supports all financial, operational, and grant functions across the department, ensuring effective service delivery that enhances quality of life throughout San Diego.

The City

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan".

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budget of approximately $6.42 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

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 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.

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees ( Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at [phone].

Pre-Employment Requirements And Screening Process

Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.

The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.