8C
Date: August 11, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Hedieh Khajavi, Human Resources Director
By: Tina Ortiz, Principal Human Resources Analyst | [email protected] Subject: Human Resources – Approve Proposed Job Description for Senior Management Associate. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Human Resources Director that City Council approve the proposed job description for Senior Management Associate.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
City Council adopted the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan, which included the creation of the Senior Management Associate position to provide the City Manager’s Office with a senior-level management professional capable of leading complex administrative programs, strategic initiatives, and organizational improvement efforts.
The Senior Management Associate position is created to provide administrative and operational support by managing complex projects, conducting organizational and financial analyses, developing policies and procedures, overseeing departmental programs, and supervising professional and administrative staff, as assigned. The position will also serve as a project manager for cross-departmental initiatives, assist with strategic planning, budget development, grant administration, emergency management activities, and organizational development efforts, while representing the department before City Council, commissions, community stakeholders, and other governmental agencies. The creation of this position provides a flexible management resource to support evolving operational needs, improve organizational effectiveness, and advance Citywide strategic priorities.
The proposed job description for Senior Management Associate includes some of the following responsibilities:
•Plans, organizes, administers, and evaluates complex departmental programs, projects, and initiatives to ensure alignment with departmental objectives and City priorities. •Supervises, trains, mentors, assigns, prioritizes, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned professional, technical, administrative, and support staff. •Develops work plans, establishes project priorities, allocates resources, monitors progress, and ensures timely completion of assigned programs and projects. 1 City Council
August 11, 2026
• Leads cross-functional teams and coordinates the efforts of multiple departments, consultants, contractors, and outside agencies to accomplish strategic objectives and implement organizational initiatives.
• Conducts and oversees complex administrative, operational, organizational, financial, and management studies; analyzes findings and develops recommendations to improve efficiency, effectiveness, service delivery, and resource utilization. • Develops, recommends, and implements policies, procedures, administrative directives, operational standards, and best practices to enhance departmental performance and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Lead Citywide or departmental special projects involving multiple stakeholders and significant fiscal or operational impacts.
• Serves as program manager for assigned departmental functions, including planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of program goals, objectives, performance measures, and outcomes.
The job description for Senior Management Associate is attached for your review and approval.
ATTACHMENT
1. Proposed Senior Management Associate Job Description 2 City of Torrance July 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
SENIOR MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE
Position Summary
Under general direction, plans, manages, coordinates, and evaluates complex administrative and operational programs; oversees major departmental initiatives and special projects; conducts highly complex administrative and management analyses; develops policies, procedures, and strategic recommendations; serves as a project manager for cross-departmental initiatives; assists executive management with organizational planning and policy implementation; and performs related work as required.
Incumbents exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in administering assigned programs and are expected to manage multiple high-priority assignments with minimal supervision.
Reporting Relationships
Receives direction from a Division Manager or Department Head. This position may be assigned to multiple departments.
May exercise direct supervision over professional, technical, administrative support, interns, consultants, and contract personnel as assigned.
Job Duties
The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all inclusive. • Plans, organizes, administers, and evaluates complex departmental programs, projects, and initiatives to ensure alignment with departmental objectives and City priorities. • Supervises, trains, mentors, assigns, prioritizes, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned professional, technical, administrative, and support staff. • Develops work plans, establishes project priorities, allocates resources, monitors progress, and ensures timely completion of assigned programs and projects. • Leads cross-functional teams and coordinates the efforts of multiple departments, consultants, contractors, and outside agencies to accomplish strategic objectives and implement organizational initiatives.
• Conducts and oversees complex administrative, operational, organizational, financial, and management studies; analyzes findings and develops recommendations to improve efficiency, effectiveness, service delivery, and resource utilization. • Develops, recommends, and implements policies, procedures, administrative directives, operational standards, and best practices to enhance departmental performance and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Lead Citywide or departmental special projects involving multiple stakeholders and significant fiscal or operational impacts.
• Serves as program manager for assigned departmental functions, including planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of program goals, objectives, performance measures, and outcomes.
• Develops and presents budget recommendations, staffing proposals, cost-benefit analyses, and long-range financial planning strategies to executive management. • Researches, interprets, and monitors federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, and industry trends; evaluates operational impacts and develops implementation strategies. • Prepares and reviews comprehensive reports, City Council agenda items, resolutions, ordinances, staff reports, grant applications, contracts, policy documents, and executive-level correspondence. 3 ATTACHMENT 1
City of Torrance July 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
• Manages the procurement and administration of professional service agreements, consultant contracts, grants, and vendor agreements; monitors contractor performance and ensures compliance with contractual obligations.
• Facilitates strategic planning efforts and assists management in identifying long-term goals, organizational priorities, and performance objectives.
• Represents the department at City Council meetings, commission meetings, public forums, professional organizations, interagency committees, and meetings with community stakeholders. • Serves as a liaison between departments, governmental agencies, community organizations, regulatory agencies, educational institutions, and private sector partners on complex projects and programs.
• Responds to inquiries, concerns, and requests for information from elected officials, executive management, employees, regulatory agencies, and members of the public. • Oversees grant-funded programs and special projects, including compliance monitoring, reporting requirements, performance evaluation, and funding administration. • Assists executive management with labor relations, organizational development initiatives, workforce planning, succession planning, and implementation of strategic objectives. • Supports the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during activations, including staffing designated positions, coordinating internal/external communications, and maintaining situational status logs; participates in emergency preparedness planning, training exercises, and after-action reviews.
• Processes and tracks personnel requisitions, position control actions, and classification changes; monitors staffing authorization levels and coordinates with Human Resources on recruitment and position status.
• Represents the department or serves as a member on interdepartmental committees, review boards, or work teams (e.g., budget review, capital projects, contract/license review) as assigned. • Identifies opportunities to automate and streamline administrative processes and systems (e.g., online service requests, requisition processing, budget transfers); assists in the implementation and testing of new administrative software tools.
• Assists in maintaining working relationships with major business, property, and public agency partners, serving as a point of contact for day-to-day coordination on City-related matters. • Exercises independent judgment and decision-making authority in resolving complex operational, administrative, and programmatic issues within established policies and guidelines. • Performs related work as assigned.
Knowledge and Core Competencies
Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of public administration and municipal government. • Principles and practices of program management, project management, and organizational development.
• Principles and practices of supervision, employee development, and performance management. • Budget development, administration, financial forecasting, and fiscal analysis. • Organizational analysis, process improvement, and performance measurement techniques. • Research methods, statistical analysis, and program evaluation. • Policy development, implementation, and regulatory compliance. • Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and administrative requirements affecting municipal operations.
4 City of Torrance July 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
• Municipal personnel administration, including position control, staffing authorization processes, recruitment coordination, and classification procedures. • Emergency management principles, continuity of operations planning, and disaster response and recovery.
• Contract administration, procurement, and grant administration. • Business process improvement methodologies and administrative technology systems used to automate workflows and improve operational efficiency.
• Principles of strategic planning and organizational effectiveness. • Customer service, stakeholder engagement, and intergovernmental relations. • Modern office technology, business software applications, and data management systems.
Core Competencies:
• Allocating Resources – Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness
• Critical Thinking – Analytical and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims • Communication – Communicates clearly and effectively through written reports, presentations, public meetings, and interpersonal interactions with diverse audiences • Decision Making – Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner • Leadership – Guiding and encouraging other to accomplish a common goal • Legal & Regulatory Navigation – Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Professional & Technical Expertise – Applying technical subject matter to the job • Professional Integrity & Ethics – Displaying honesty, adherence to principles and personal accountability
• Project Management – Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives • Relationship Building – Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships • Self-Management – Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability • Strategic Perspective – Evaluating immediate actions in context of achieving long range objectives License/Certification Required
Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Organizational Management, Public Policy, or a closely related field; AND
Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional administrative, analytical, program management, or municipal management experience, including at least one (1) year of lead or supervisory responsibility over professional staff or major organizational projects.
A Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience. 5 City of Torrance July 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
Special Requirements:
Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands and/or working conditions:
Requires the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area of the office to another; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as computers and calculators. Tasks require sound and visual perception and discrimination, as well as oral communications ability. Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
Work is primarily performed indoors in an office setting. (The remaining time is spent in the field around machinery and vehicles that may expose the employee to loud noise.) Work involves frequently changing work priorities and the ability to meet deadlines. There will be off-site assignments and attendance at off- site meetings and conferences. Work may be required on evenings and weekends as needed.
Career Ladder Information:
Experience gained in this classification may serve to meet the qualifications for promotion to Assistant to the City Manager or Deputy City Manager.
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