Assistant City Manager - Economic Development, Vitality, and Equity

Job Description:

Assistant City Manager - Economic Development, Vitality, and Equity

Description

THE CITY

Culver City is a Charter City incorporated in 1917 and is a destination filled with outdoor cafes, unique shops, and galleries opening onto pedestrian-friendly boulevards. Culver City has a dedicated staff of approximately 700+ employees with an overall operating budget of over $368 million. The City provides a full range of municipal services including Fire, Police, Housing and Human Services, Public Works, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services (PRCS), and Transportation.

THE POSITION

Assistant City Manager - Economic Development, Vitality, and Equity

**Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, February 11, 2026**

Please see brochure for more information: Assistant City Manager - Economic Development, Vitality, and Equity

The City of Culver City is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as Assistant City Manager - Economic Development, Vitality & Equity. This executive role leads key community-focused areas including economic development, housing and human services, parks and recreation, and cultural affairs. With a strong focus on equity, inclusive growth, and quality of life, the position plays a vital role in shaping a thriving and vibrant Culver City.
Under administrative direction of the City Manager, the Assistant City Manager - Economic Development, Vitality & Equity serves as a senior executive leader responsible for advancing the City’s economic development strategy, community and business vitality, and equity-driven outcomes. The position provides executive leadership and coordination across community-facing departments and functions, including economic development, housing and human services, parks, recreation and community services, cultural affairs, and citywide special events, ensuring alignment with the City’s strategic priorities for inclusive growth, community wellbeing, and quality of life.

The position functions as a principal advisor to the City Manager and City Council on economic conditions, equity outcomes, and community vitality, and leads cross-departmental efforts to integrate policy, operations, and performance reporting across assigned portfolios.
The following tasks represent key responsibilities for this position. Incumbents may not be required to perform all listed duties and may be assigned other related tasks as needed.
Economic Development & Community Vitality

• Provides executive leadership for Citywide economic development strategies, including business attraction, retention, expansion, and workforce development initiatives.
• Oversees efforts to support local businesses, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic opportunity.
• Leads community and commercial corridor revitalization, placemaking, and activation initiatives.
• Coordinates economic development strategies with land use planning, housing policy, transportation, and capital investments.

Oversight of Housing & Human Services

• Provides executive oversight of housing and human services programs, including affordable housing initiatives, homelessness response, social services, and community assistance programs.
• Ensures housing and human services strategies are aligned with equity goals, economic stability, and community wellbeing.
• Oversees partnerships with nonprofit service providers, regional agencies, and other governmental entities.

Oversight of Parks, Recreation & Community Services

• Provides executive leadership and oversight of Parks, Recreation and Community Services to promote equitable access to recreational, educational, and community-based programs.
• Aligns parks and recreation programming, facilities planning, and capital investments with community vitality, health, and inclusion objectives.
• Supports innovation, partnerships, and performance improvements in service delivery.

Cultural Affairs & Special Events

• Oversees Cultural Affairs programming to advance arts, culture, creative economy, and cultural inclusion initiatives.
• Provides executive oversight of the Special Events Project Manager, ensuring City-sponsored and permitted events align with economic vitality, community identity, equity, and public safety goals.
• Coordinates cultural programming and special events with economic development, communications, public safety, and community engagement efforts.

Equity Strategy & Performance Reporting

• Leads development and implementation of Citywide equity frameworks, performance measures, and outcome-based reporting across assigned departments.
• Oversees data collection, analysis, and reporting related to equity, community impact, service accessibility, and program effectiveness.
• Ensures equity considerations are embedded into program design, policy development, and operational decision-making.

Executive Leadership & Policy Development

• Serves as a strategic advisor to the City Manager and City Council on economic, equity, housing, human services, parks, recreation, cultural, and vitality-related issues.
• Leads cross-departmental initiatives addressing complex, multidisciplinary challenges.
• Evaluates policy proposals for economic, social, and equity impacts and provides strategic recommendations.

Community Engagement & Intergovernmental Relations

• Represents the City in regional, state, and intergovernmental forums related to economic development, housing, human services, parks and recreation, cultural affairs, and equity initiatives.
• Builds partnerships with business organizations, cultural institutions, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and other public agencies.
• Supports transparent, inclusive, and effective public engagement related to community development initiatives.

Executive Authority

• Acts on behalf of the City Manager as assigned.
• Performs related duties consistent with executive leadership responsibilities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification is distinguished from other Assistant City Manager roles by its primary focus on external-facing community outcomes, including economic development, housing stability, human services, parks and recreation programming, cultural vitality, special events, and equity-based performance reporting. The position emphasizes inclusive economic opportunity, equitable access to services, community wellbeing, and cultural enrichment, while operating at an executive policy, governance, and organizational leadership level.

The position is aligned in executive scope and authority with the Assistant City Manager - Fiscal & Sustainability, with each role managing complementary portfolios and reporting directly to the City Manager.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, economics, urban planning, business administration, social sciences, or a related field
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience

• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible executive or senior management experience in municipal government, economic development, housing, human services, parks and recreation, or closely related fields

License/Certification

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license at time of appointment and throughout employment

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to advance to the next stage in the recruitment process, which will consist of an oral appraisal interview. Oral appraisal interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of February 16, 2026.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The provisions of this job posting does not constitute a contract, express or implied, and any provisions in this posting may be modified or revoked without notice.

Continuation in the examination process and subsequent placement on the eligible list of a person convicted of a crime depends upon the nature of the conviction and the conduct of the applicant subsequent to the offense. Convictions will be evaluated on a job related basis and will not automatically disqualify someone from further consideration.

Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Culver City is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, religion, political affiliation, or sexual orientation/identification.

Conditions of Employment:
Background/ Reference Check: Upon a conditional job offer, a live scan finger printing must be completed with acceptable results. Your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be contacted to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. Upon hire, employee is subject to further reporting from DOJ via subsequent arrest notification.
Pre-placement medical evaluation including drug screen (select positions).
E-Verify: Proof of U.S. citizenship, alien residency or authorization to work in the U.S. will be required at time of appointment.

The City of Culver City intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, please contact the Human Resources Department three (3) business days prior to the test at (310) 253-5640.

The City of Culver City offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, and vision. For more detailed information regarding the benefits associated with this position please visit the
Culver City Human Resources Department website .

• Refer to the ‘ Employee Benefits ’ page to view the current Benefit Summary Guide.
• Refer to the ‘ Labor and Employee Relations ’ page to view the applicable MOU.

Closing Date/Time: 2/11/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$260,000.00 - $315,000.14 Annually