City of Santa Monica, CA - Director of Housing and Human Services

Imagine shaping the future of a world-renowned city, nestled on Southern California's stunning coast. Santa Monica is actively seeking a visionary Director of Housing and Human Services to seize a unique opportunity: leading a newly reorganized department with considerable political and departmental support, to tackle the community's most urgent housing and human services challenges head-on. This is more than a job; it's a chance to make a profound and lasting impact on a vibrant community.

This at-will position is a key member of the City Manager’s Executive Team and provides day-to-day management of the Housing and Human Services Department. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to: directing and managing the activities and operations of the Department of Housing and Human Services, which encompasses developing and implementing strategies to increase affordable housing opportunities through new development, acquisition, and rehabilitation, and housing assistance programs including Section 8 and other federal voucher programs. This role also manages affordable housing programs, the Santa Monica Housing Authority, and housing vouchers.

The Director is responsible for directing programs, services, and funding for the City’s Human Services Grants Program, as well as for non-profit organizations that support vulnerable populations including youth, families, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, persons with disabilities, and low-income community members. As a liaison designated by the City Manager, this role carries cross-departmental authority to lead on homelessness efforts and develop and implement a homelessness strategic plan. This includes driving programs forward across departments, assigning roles and responsibilities to achieve strategic plan goals, monitoring success, leading collaboration efforts, and supporting enhanced communication. The Director also oversees the building of relationships with local, regional, state, and federal government representatives to support regional efforts to advance City priorities and goals related to homelessness, advocate for regional resources and solutions, and coordinate long-term plans and funding strategies regarding homelessness and homelessness prevention.

The position manages the delivery of direct service programs to youth and families through a range of community and out-of-school time programs aimed at improving educational, social, and emotional outcomes. The Director leads partnerships and initiatives with local educational institutions, the business community, and other major institutions and non-profit organizations in the City. This role also directs the analysis of revenue-producing opportunities for programs and the identification of community resources, including volunteers, to support programs.

The Director is responsible for hiring, supervising, training, and evaluating administrative staff and division heads. They oversee City boards and commissions under the purview of the Department and ensure monitoring of legislative activity at local, state, and federal levels impacting human services and housing programs and issues. The Director makes presentations to the City Council, City boards and commissions, responds to inquiries from the media, residents, community groups, and organizations, and resolves citizen complaints.

Priorities

• Keep momentum by continuing to make progress on key initiatives.
• Set the direction and culture of the department in alignment with the City's vision, ensuring strong management skills are applied to achieve goals while maintaining accountability.
• Support the Human Services team, particularly programs under federal scrutiny, and work with the DEI team to ensure access to services for all communities. The new Director will be able to directly combine traditional housing programs, such as vouchers, with the direct production of affordable and below-market housing.
• Engage with community advisory groups and educate the City Council on funding strategies, structuring discussions to navigate the complexities of financing programs, projects, and future initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative environment between staff and the community that is highly engaging and inclusive, developing straightforward and effective communication methods to demonstrate measurable progress given the significant resources allocated to housing and human services.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment within the department and across the City.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams, external partners, and community members.

The Successful Candidate

The new Housing and Human Services Director for Santa Monica will be provided with extraordinary opportunities to address some of today’s most challenging issues. The ideal candidate will recognize Santa Monica's unique assets as genuine opportunities to achieve measurable improvements in housing, homelessness, and related social issues. Successful candidates will be comfortable working in engaged communities with a variety of diverse opinions and perspectives and will be well-versed in the many issues related to housing and human services. A strong understanding of affordable housing finance, coupled with a creative and entrepreneurial approach to leveraging various financial options for potential projects, is highly desirable. A leadership style that promotes a mission-driven, solution-focused attitude toward the important work of this department through inclusivity and engagement would lead to success.

The successful candidate will be a strong, competent local government leader with the ability to build relationships, foster collaboration, and guide special projects within the organization. The successful candidate will be a highly skilled and collaborative leader who excels in fostering effective team interactions and is adept at guiding staff to achieve their objectives while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Furthermore, the successful candidate will have demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and managing a wide range of innovative and effective programs and projects. They will embrace and understand the importance of technology for integrating data, creating dashboards, and improving program oversight. A flexible, innovative problem-solver, they will support evidence-based decisions that adapt to the evolving needs of the community and will be able to look at programs with a fresh eye, not limited by traditional governmental approaches. They will possess an empathetic and compassionate public-facing style, crucial when dealing with individuals in vulnerable situations, and will be approachable, visible, and accessible within the broader community.

The ideal Housing and Human Services Director will be a mission-driven, people-centered leader who places the needs of the team and community above their own. This individual will bring a high level of emotional intelligence and humility to their work, showing genuine care for colleagues, community members, and the outcomes of the programs they lead. They will interact with authenticity and respect across all levels of organization and socio-economic backgrounds, demonstrating a true passion for serving others. More than a resume, the City is looking for someone who leads with their heart, embodies a servant-leadership mindset, and inspires trust through hard work, hands-on engagement, and a deep commitment to results. This is a role for someone who understands the technical demands of housing work but is equally motivated by the human impact—someone who brings people together, builds strong teams, and fosters a culture grounded in purpose, empathy, and collective success.

Personal Traits and Characteristics

• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence and leads with humility, empathy, and a team-first mindset
• Serves as an organizer, coach, and motivator who prioritizes staff development and team success
• Strategic and collaborative leader who aligns departmental efforts with City mission and Council goals
• Transparent communicator and active listener who integrates diverse perspectives into equitable solutions
• Skilled presenter, comfortable engaging with City Council and community stakeholders
• Deep knowledge of affordable housing finance, voucher programs, and homelessness services
• Experience in affordable housing development, community housing negotiations, and developer partnerships

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree and seven years of recent, paid, progressively responsible professional work managing, leading or coordinating human services, community services, or affordable housing programs.

Possession of a valid class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Inside the Organization

The City of Santa Monica operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council, which consists of seven part-time members elected at-large, appoints the City Manager and designates its own Mayor. The City Manager leads a strong executive team comprised of fourteen department directors, which includes the new Housing and Human Services Director.

Santa Monica provides an extensive array of services, surpassing those offered by other cities of comparable and even larger size. These services include police and fire protection, water and wastewater management, street maintenance, public landscaping, a regional transit system that serves 13.2 million riders annually, and parking services. The City also provides parks and recreation facilities, including 245 acres of beaches, five public libraries, planning, building and safety services, the Santa Monica Pier, and a cemetery. Additionally, Santa Monica offers a high level of support for social services, art and cultural programs, and public education.

As an AAA-rated city, Santa Monica has a long history of relying on conservative fiscal assumptions for future planning. The City's total adopted Biennial Budget is $789.9 million in FY 2025-26 and $825.5 million in FY 2026-27, supporting nearly 2,050 full-time employees. The budget reflects the City's continued efforts to remain financially resilient in the face of serious fiscal constraints with a housing strategy focused on three key priorities: Affordable Housing, Livable Housing, and Secure Housing for All.

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive, and culturally rich community. As leaders in public service, the City strives to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce where individuals of diverse races, religions, cultures, and lifestyles can thrive. The goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where staff are empowered to perform at their highest level, and where their differences contribute positively.

Inside the Housing and Human Services Department

The City of Santa Monica recently reorganized its Community Services Department, creating the new Housing and Human Services Department to provide a more focused approach to community needs. This new department is dedicated to being responsive to the community's educational, social, housing, and economic needs. Its mission encompasses affordable housing production, preservation, and voucher programs, alongside a comprehensive portfolio of services and investments designed to provide access to a system of care. These services address the diverse needs of Santa Monica's most vulnerable individuals and families, including youth, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, and low-income households.

The department is staffed with 86 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees with an approved biennial budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2027 of $60 million.

The Housing and Human Services Department is comprised of four key divisions:

• Administration: This division is responsible for the development of the department’s budget and financial reporting, and it coordinates communication and marketing outreach for the department.
• Housing: The Housing division administers project and tenant-based voucher programs, manages the production and preservation of affordable housing, and performs compliance monitoring of existing affordable housing.
• Human Services: This division manages community resources and services that equitably address the economic and basic needs of vulnerable youth and families and low-income adults. It also provides direct services through school and community-based educational and cultural programs and events.
• Homelessness Prevention and Intervention (HPI): The HPI division manages a diverse and full spectrum of resources and services focused on preventing and addressing homelessness and provides services to people with disabilities and seniors. This division administers homeless services that connect vulnerable populations to interim and permanent housing solutions and other support services. Additionally, the HPI division is responsible for oversight of the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan, and the Santa Monica Aging & Disability Action Plan.

The Community

Santa Monica is a vibrant Southern California city, renowned for its coastal beauty, progressive spirit, and thriving environment. It offers a unique blend of urban living and beach culture, making it a highly desirable place to live and work. Located on Santa Monica Bay, just 15 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica enjoys a mild, year-round climate. Residents benefit from an exceptional quality of life with ocean views, 3.5 miles of beach, and extensive outdoor recreation in parks such as Palisades, Tongva, Clover, and Douglas Parks. The City is highly walkable and bike-friendly, with green bike lanes and the Marvin Braude Bike Trail promoting sustainable mobility.

Originally inhabited by the Gabrielino Tongva and Chumash people, Santa Monica was named in 1769. Founded on July 10, 1875, by Senator John P. Jones and Colonel Robert S. Baker, it was envisioned as a "great commercial center of the southwest." Early development included a 16-mile rail line to Los Angeles and a substantial wharf. Incorporated in November 1886, Santa Monica grew into a premier resort destination by the 1920s, known for the iconic Santa Monica Pier and its "Gold Coast." This history reflects the City's enduring appeal and capacity for transformation.

Santa Monica is integral to the Los Angeles economy, with thriving tech, media, and lifestyle sectors, home to companies like Edmunds, Beachbody, Lionsgate, RAND Corporation, and Bird. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is highly regarded, with Santa Monica High School graduates attending top universities. Santa Monica College (SMC) is a leading community college for transfers to University of California and other four-year institutions. The City offers a rich arts and culture scene, featuring over 170 public murals, galleries at Bergamot Station, and venues like The Broad Stage. Its diverse culinary scene includes four weekly Farmers Markets.

Santa Monica features excellent public transportation, including the Metro E Line to downtown Los Angeles and a robust bus network. This, combined with walkability and bike-friendliness, offers diverse commuting options. Santa Monica seamlessly blends coastal living with a dynamic economy, educational excellence, and a rich cultural scene. Its progressive urban planning and commitment to sustainability make it an ideal place for public sector professionals seeking a fulfilling career in a vibrant community.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for the Housing and Human Services Director is $209,592 - $258,756. Placement within the range is dependent upon qualifications. The City offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes retirement benefits provided by CalPERS.

Employees who are Classic members of CalPERS or a reciprocal system, but new to the City of Santa Monica will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ 55 benefit formula. Employees who are new CalPERS members (those obtaining initial membership on or after January 1, 2013), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ 62 benefit formula. Other benefits include a 457 deferred compensation plan, with City contributions, as well as retiree medical benefits.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants will complete a brief online form and will then be prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning September 8, 2025.

Questions

Please direct questions to Serena Wright-Black at swrightblack@raftelis.com and Robert Colichio at rcolichio@raftelis.com.

RECRUITMENT BROCHURE