Principal Project Analyst (1824) - Office of The City Administrator

Company Description

Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt (PEX) position; individuals who are appointed to Exempt Positions are appointed at the pleasure of their appointing officer and are considered to be "at-will."

Application Opening: April 2, 2025
Application Closing: April 18, 2025, 11:59pm.

About the Office: The Office of City Administrator and its 20+ divisions and departments operate core internal and public-facing services. Our vision is to lead the nation in public administration and to enable City departments to effectively deliver critical public services. We aim to help the City run better, to connect San Francisco residents and constituents to the vital public services they seek, and to create a meaningful, diverse and inclusive work culture that is the place of choice for people who are invested in a career in public service. To learn more about our departments, divisions, and programs, click here: https://sf.gov/departments/city-administrator

Job Description

IMPORTANT: AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS, PLEASE SUBMIT AN COVER LETTER WITH YOUR APPLICATION AND RESUME AND CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE.  ALL ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION. 

REQUIRED: 1824 Principal Project Analyst Supplemental Questionnaire

The Office of the City Administrator is seeking a Principal Project Analyst to join our team, where you will play a key role in complex citywide initiatives which drive meaningful reforms. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in modernizing San Francisco’s government, from streamlining commissions to improving overall structure, processes, and operations. The ideal candidate is a sharp consensus-builder with strong project management, communication, and facilitation skills who enjoys collaboration, research, and strategic problem-solving and takes pride in their work. You’ll work alongside senior city officials, engage in high-level policy discussions, and drive meaningful change in a fast-paced, high-performing, and supportive environment. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work improving government, this might be the position for you.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Under the general direction of the Project Director, you will:

Research & Policy Analysis

• Conduct independent research, evaluate complex information, and synthesize findings into actionable recommendations for City leadership and departments
• Develop reports, presentations, and memos to communicate recommendations effectively.
• Research current trends and practices in government operations and city reform initiatives to develop innovative policy recommendations.

Project Implementation & Coordination

• Lead complex operational and administrative activities for internal and public meetings
• Coordinate action items across multiple implementation partners and monitor project progress to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Analyze business processes and legal requirements and strategies for more effective governance and operations.

Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation

• Partner with and facilitate meetings involving diverse stakeholders to identify challenges, develop solutions, and build consensus.
• Engage with senior leaders, department heads, and public officials to align on governance and process strategies
• Administer and document public meetings, ensuring compliance with the Brown Act and other regulatory requirements.

Strategic Communications & Reporting

• Prepare high-quality memos, presentations, and reports to communicate project milestones and policy and process recommendations.
• Present findings to City leadership, including the Mayor’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and department heads, to gain support for key initiatives
• Ensure knowledge transfer and implement change management strategies to support long-term reforms.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate:

• Sees the Big Picture & the Details – Can analyze complex processes and understand their global impact while also maintaining attention to detail.
• Is a Skilled Facilitator – Experienced in engaging with senior leaders, coordinating across organizational units, and building consensus.
• Is an Excellent Communicator – Strong writing, research, and presentation skills to translate complex issues into clear, actionable i