Director of Public Affairs (0953 Deputy Director III) – DPH – EXEMPT
Full-time, Permanent Exempt.
The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees advance equity, inclusion, and diversity across race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status.
SFDPH's mission is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. The Director of Public Affairs provides department-wide leadership in public affairs, communications, public records, and media strategy across multiple divisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct the development and implementation of department-wide public affairs, communications, and media strategies spanning multiple DPH divisions.
- Ensure alignment between public messaging, department priorities, and operational realities.
- Independently represent DPH on highly complex and sensitive public health issues affecting public safety, regulatory standing, and departmental credibility.
- Provide executive oversight of public records and disclosure functions, coordinating with custodians and legal partners.
- Coordinate and align senior executives across DPH under the deputized authority of the Director of Health and Deputy Director of Health to resolve cross-divisional issues.
- Set department-wide priorities and sequencing of public-facing initiatives, guiding leadership through decision points.
- Reinforce execution discipline through structured coordination, issue resolution, and escalation of risks and trade-offs.
- Lead media strategy and oversee all media relations for the department.
- Consult and coordinate with the Mayor’s Office and Board of Supervisors on public health policy messaging.
- Represent the department before commissions, boards, committees, and federal, state, and local agencies.
- Lead public affairs and communications strategy during public health emergencies, regulatory actions, and other high-impact events.
- Ensure rapid, accurate, and coordinated communication and information disclosure across leadership, operational divisions, and external stakeholders.
- Directly supervise department-wide communications and public affairs functions and associated public records operations.
- Lead and support subordinate managers to promote high standards of performance and continuous improvement.
- Develop, administer, and monitor budgets exceeding $5 million, including legislative and policy matters affecting $10+ million in revenues and expenditures.
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Education: bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Experience: four (4) years of managerial experience in public affairs, communications, government affairs, media management, or a closely related field, including staff supervision.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience working in public‑sector public affairs, preferably within a public health, homelessness, or healthcare system.
- Knowledge of City and County of San Francisco governmental structures and public health issues.
- Experience communicating complex legislative, regulatory, and administrative issues to the public.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of protected categories.
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