Assistant to The City Manager – OEDCA (Public Art Director - Office of Cultural Affairs)
Position Duties

The classification for this role is Assistant to the City Manager with a working title of Public Art Program Director.

OCA is seeking a proven, visionary leader to serve as its next Public Art Program Director. The new Public Art Director will lead an innovative and award-winning public art program in the 12th-largest U.S. city, and one of the most demographically diverse, known as the Capital of Silicon Valley. This key member of the OCA senior management team will be a strategic, visionary, and energetic leader with a facilitative spirit of customer service.

Stewarding over 400 works of art, the City of San José has a 1% for art ordinance, in which 1% of eligible City capital improvement project costs are set aside for public art. The program is highly regarded for its innovative work at the intersection of art and technology, reflecting San José’s diversity and rich history. In addition to capital projects, the program includes a City Hall exhibition program, collection maintenance, interagency contracts for public art services, and other creative placemaking efforts.  Exemplifying its reputation as a center of excellence in public art best practices, the City of San José has interagency agreements with the County of Santa Clara and the Valley Transportation Authority to provide project management services.

This key leader is responsible for managing the Public Art Program. This includes developing a strategic vision, guiding and, where applicable, developing public policy, planning, managing and evaluating the program and its projects, stewarding its budget, as well as guiding the program’s projects realization from inception, installation, to conservation. This position will work closely with interdepartmental leadership and the community to realize the vision for public art in San José. This position will supervise two Senior Arts Coordinators, one Art Coordinator, and perform as an individual contributor. This position reports to and receives direction from the Director of Cultural Affairs/Deputy Director of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs.

The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented individual with the necessary initiative, flexibility, and creativity to succeed in a team-oriented, fast-paced, and high-volume work environment. A high level of professionalism, excellent customer service skills, and a strong work ethic are sought. Knowledge of trends and best practices in public art, along with experience in program and budget management, is highly desired.  Strong skills, including diplomacy, excellent written and oral communications, and political awareness, are needed.