The Position

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 City of Oakland Economic Workforce Development Department?
The City of Oakland is seeking an experienced, innovative leader to serve as Cultural Affairs Manager. This is a critical role within the City, overseeing the Cultural Affairs Division and guiding the City's arts and culture strategy, in alignment with the City’s adopted Cultural Plan, Belonging in Oakland, and the Economic Development Action Plan currently under development.  This position is an extraordinary career opportunity for an experienced and expert arts professional to provide strong leadership in a city that is a hub for artists and cultural workers and boasts one of the largest populations of artists on the West Coast.  

This Civil Service position sits within the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD). EWDD is comprised of six dynamic divisions: Business Development, Real Property Asset Management, Cultural Affairs, Workforce Development, Special Activities, and Public/Private Development. The Cultural Affairs Manager is responsible for shaping and implementing policies and programs that preserve, support, and elevate Oakland’s diverse artistic and cultural communities. 

This role requires a strategic and collaborative leader who can leverage philanthropic, public, and private resources to expand the City’s cultural impact, manage the Division’s operating budget, and cultivate community-driven cultural development. This position leads a dedicated team managing key programs and initiatives including: 

• Cultural support programs to support artists and cultural organizations through grantmaking (when funding is available), technical assistance, and resource referrals
• The Public Art Program, enhancing the visual landscape of the City through creative expression
• Partnerships with local cultural institutions, including the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), Children’s Fairyland, Chabot Space & Science Center, and the Oakland Asian Cultural Center
• The Just City Cultural Fund, a funding partnership between the City of Oakland, the Akonadi Foundation, and the East Bay Community Foundation
• The Cultural Strategists-in-Government Program, embedding artists within City departments to inform public policy
• Development and implementation of a cultural districts program to help celebrate and sustain Oakland’s cultural identity

What you'll typically be responsible for:

• Leading the Cultural Affairs Division: Overseeing all existing arts programs and designing and launching new initiatives. Setting goals, objectives, and success metrics to guide the Division’s work. Guiding and articulating the City’s vision for arts and culture. 
• Managing Division Staff: Hiring, training, and supervising staff; assigning tasks and evaluating performance. 
• Overseeing Budget and Contracts: Working with the Director and fiscal team to develop the Division’s budget and review and approve contracts and spending. 
• Attracting and Raising Funds: Generating funding from philanthropy, public sources (including county, state, and federal governments), and private donors to deepen the City’s support of the arts.  Building relationships with potential funders. Identifying new and creative financing tools. 
• Preparing and Presenting Reports: Writing and presenting reports to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, and other boards and committees.
• Serving as City’s Representative: Attending community meetings, cultural events, and arts gatherings—often outside regular work hours—as the senior arts leader representing the City. 
• Guiding Policy Bodies: Managing the City’s Cultural Affairs Commission and Public Art Advisory Committee, volunteer bodies that inform the Division’s work and the decision-making of elected officials.
• Engaging with the Community: Building and maintaining relationships with the diverse range of arts and culture stakeholders in Oakland and being responsive to these constituents.