Strategy, Innovation and Change Director (0941) – Business Services Bureau – SFPUC – (154074)

Company Description

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

• Application Opening: March 19, 2025
• Application Filing Deadline: April 1, 2025
• Recruitment ID: PBT-0941-154074; RTF0154071-01083942

WHO ARE WE? 
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.

Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.sfpuc.gov

We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality. 

To learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit our career site at https://www.sfpuc.gov/about-us/careers-sfpuc

Job Description

Business Services Bureau
The Business Services Bureau oversees and manages the SFPUC’s internal and external service functions inclusive of Finance, Loans and Grants, Customer Service, Information Technology, Strategy, Innovation and Change, and Audit.

The Director of Strategy, Innovation and Change (SIC) leads and manages the daily operations of the bureau. SIC leads and facilitates strategic alignment, organizational maturity and transformation, and cross-functional process improvements to support SFPUC provide high quality services and respond to a continually changing environment. The Director is an important member of the senior leadership team for the Business Services Bureau and the SFPUC, and addresses agencywide challenges, supports risk management, and advises SFPUC leadership on strategic decisions.

The essential duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Direct the daily operations of the Strategy, Innovation, and Change bureau and manage supporting personnel.               
• Develop and implement bureau goals, objectives and initiatives while ensuring sufficient resources to achieve appropriate levels of service and successful project outcomes.   
• Lead and facilitate strategic planning and performance metrics for Business Services, focusing on responsible stewardship, financial sustainability, workplace excellence, and excellent service.             
• Lead development of strategic alignment initiatives through extensive analysis of cross-agency culture, context and work practices in collaboration with agency management.  
• Conduct internal assessments and industry benchmarking comparisons to inform senior leadership decisions and foster alignment of SFPUC programs and structure with strategic goals.
• Lead and guide SIC managers and staff in development of tailored project and change management plans, inclusive of risk identification and mitigation.
• Lead change management activities within Business Services and the SFPUC organization based on best practices, inclusive of communications plans, executive sponsorship, coaching, training, and resistance management.  
• Design and implement change management strategies and tools to optimize employee adoption of new business policies, processes and systems.             
• Coach and support project teams and leadership, at times within a matrix structure, to achieve project objectives; facilitate executive engagement for all SIC projects.  
• Administer the SFPUC Risk Management Program and ensure successful administration of the (enterprise) risk management framework; compliance to City risk management programs and guidelines; inclusive of the SFPUC Purchased Insurance Program; construction and professional services contractual risk management; and general risk advisory services.
• Foster a culture of innovation and excellence by encouraging problem-solving, questioning norms, and supporting new ideas in a safe environment.      
• Advise SFPUC leadership on applying the concept of innovation to align with organizational strategic goals and context.              
• Promote a respectful, collaborative workplace and build strong relationships with leaders and stakeholders.               
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