Chief of Branches (0952 - Deputy Director II) - San Francisco Public Library — San Francisco, CA

Position Overview

The Chief of Branches is a high-level executive position responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and management of the San Francisco Public Library’s Branch Library Division, which encompasses 27 neighborhood libraries and approximately 400 staff. Under the supervision of the Chief of Public Services (CPS), this role ensures optimal resource allocation, budget management, and policy implementation across all branches. A primary focus of this position is community-centric leadership—driving the development of specialized, innovative library services that meet the diverse needs of San Francisco’s unique neighborhoods by actively building coalitions with local organizations and constituencies.

The Role

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief of Branches provides strategic direction and administrative management for the Branch Library Division, the system's largest division encompassing 27 neighborhood libraries and approximately 400 branch staff. Under the supervision of the Chief of Public Services (CPS), the Chief of Branches collaborates closely with the City Librarian, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and other Division Chiefs to oversee system-wide planning, policy implementation, and forward-thinking innovations.

As the Chief of Branches, this role carries full operational responsibility for managing the division’s operating budget, analyzing emerging trends, directing personnel assignments, and providing direct supervision to the Assistant Chief of Branches, a 3618 Library Technical Assistant II, and an 1840 Junior Management Assistant. Furthermore, the Chief partners closely with the CPS and COO to provide oversight for major capital projects, including branch renovations and new library construction, to ensure equitable service delivery across all facilities.

In addition to operational oversight, the Chief of Branches drives community engagement and high-level stakeholder relations. Serving as a vital external liaison, the Chief of Branches represents the library to City agencies, policymakers, and community organizations, and serves as the official liaison to the Council of Neighborhood Libraries to foster meaningful dialogue between neighborhoods and city decision-makers. The Chief of Branches is responsible for developing policy recommendations, delivering public presentations, and producing critical written communications such as reports and memos. By collaborating with a team of an Assistant Chief of Branches, District Managers, and engaging with staff at all levels through special projects and task forces, the Chief of Branches is instrumental in realizing the Library's vision of providing equitable, impactful services that enhance the quality of life throughout San Francisco’s diverse communities.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for Chief of Branches is a visionary and strategic leader who excels in community engagement and coalition building. This candidate demonstrates outstanding leadership and management capabilities, applies strong analytical thinking, and navigates complex environments with well‐developed political acumen and effective stakeholder relationships. This person is a big‐picture thinker and collaborative leader, and an exceptional communicator who thrives in a diverse, fast‐paced setting. Excellent communication, public speaking, and presentation skills are essential.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies (MLS/MLIS) from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association. AND
• Four (4) years of managerial experience, which all must include supervisory responsibilities, in a large urban library, which is defined as a public library system located in a dense, city environment, operating multiple branches, and typically serves a high-volume, diverse population.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

One (1) year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40 hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Professional librarian experience in a library
• Experience working as a member of a library’s leadership team
• Experience in managing large-scale library branch operations
• Excellent management and leadership skills
• Demonstrates outstanding political acumen
• Highly attuned to current trends and future needs of the Library
• Accessible; willingness to engage people at all levels of the organization
• Focused on consensus/team building
• Displays a passion for working with and serving people
• Ability to create and maintain a highly engaged staff
• Embraces challenges as opportunities for improvement and positive change
• Comfortable with interacting and engaging the public
• Values individual and collective staff contributions and talent
• Supports and facilitates ongoing professional development
• Practices unquestionable ethics and integrity
• Engaging and credible communicator

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedure:

The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Depending on the number of applicants, the department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. San Francisco Public Library may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decision for this position. Only those candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the department will continue in the departmental selection process, which may consist of an oral interview, and/or performance exercise.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.

Application Opening: August 7, 2026

Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than Friday, September 4, 2026. This recruitment will remain open until filled.

Compensation and Benefits:

The normal annual salary range is $161,382 and $205,972. Appointment above the maximum of the normal range may be considered based on documented and substantiated recruitment and retention issues or exceptional skills. A special approval process is necessary for appointment above the normal salary range.

In addition, the City and County of San Francisco (City) offers comprehensive benefit programs which include:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life insurance
• Long-term disability plan; Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pension Plan; Retiree Healthcare; Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Management Training Program; Wellness Program
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave; Management Leave

Additional information about the City’s Management Benefits.

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Where to Apply

If you have any questions, you may contact Meiyi Ouyang at meiyi.ouyang@sfpl.org.

Recruitment ID: RTF0166258-01113816