Exempt | Location: Civic Center
$89,200 - $130,500
Cynthia Castellanos
213-978-0600
cynthia.castellanos@lacity.org
THE OFFICE OF MAJOR EVENTS The Office of Major Events (OME) works to welcome the world to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and other major events of global significance. Working within the Office of the Mayor, OME’s mission is to coordinate all City departments and engage external stakeholders to ensure the City’s preparedness for the 2028 Games and other major events, to create positive economic impacts for the City and its residents, and to advance other crucial priorities to ensure that all Angelenos benefit from these coming opportunities. Specifically, OME leads comprehensive planning and works closely with the LA28 Organizing Committee, City departments, key governmental and regional partners, and others to deliver a safe, successful, and fiscally responsible 2028 Games that maximizes public benefit. As stated in the City’s “Games for All” Vision, the City of Los Angeles believes that the 2028 Games are more than a summer spectacle — they can be a catalyst to reimagine civic infrastructure, strengthen community resilience, and expand opportunity for all Angelenos. POSITION SUMMARY To accomplish the City’s major events goals, OME seeks a results-driven Deputy Chief of Community Programs. This position will lead and oversee all of the Office of Major Events’ community program initiatives, working closely with key partners at City Departments and external agencies to coordinate successful program delivery. This position will lead and oversee at least four of the City's most community-facing programs for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Community Celebrations and Fan Zones, the Volunteer Program, the Social Ticketing Program, and the Unaccredited Media Center. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES The Deputy Chief of Community Programs and Impact will be responsible for ensuring that Angelenos across all 15 Council Districts — and visitors from around the world — can experience the energy and excitement of the Games through neighborhood fan zones, cultural programming, and citywide activations. Additionally, the Deputy Chief will stand up and operate an Unaccredited Media Center to support domestic and international journalists covering the Games from a city and community perspective. The Deputy Chief of Community Programs and Impact will work collaboratively with Mayor's Office policy shops, as well as with City departments including Recreation and Parks, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Department on Disability, the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, and other City departments and stakeholders. This position will also coordinate closely with LA28 Organizing Committee counterparts to ensure alignment between official Games operations and the City's community-facing programming, with the express goal of delivering an inclusive, accessible, and memorable Games experience for all Angelenos. The Deputy Chief of Community Programs is a high-profile position of impactful leadership relating to the world’s biggest events. Reporting directly to the Chief of Community Programs and Impact, the Deputy Chief’s responsibilities include the following: Program Management: Lead the strategic planning, development, and execution of Community Celebrations, the Volunteer Program, the Social Ticketing Program, and the Unaccredited Media Center. Stakeholder Coordination: Facilitate communication and collaboration between City departments and external stakeholders to ensure integrated and efficient program delivery. This includes Council District offices, neighborhood councils, community-based organizations, and cultural institutions. Program Implementation: Oversee day-to-day operations and problem-solving to ensure community initiatives are delivered on time, and meet established impact goals. This will include Accessibility and Inclusion, budget and vendor management, Communication and Reporting. Communication and Reporting: Maintain regular inter-departmental communication, providing updates on program status and identifying strategic opportunities to maximize public benefit. Other Relevant Duties as Assigned KEY QUALIFICATIONS The Office of Major Events seeks candidates who possess the following skills, knowledge, and capabilities: Minimum of five years of leadership experience in municipal government, intergovernmental affairs, communications, project management, analysis, policy, community organizing, administration, or other work relevant to the responsibilities detailed above. Demonstrated experience planning and delivering large-scale public events, community activations, or civic programs, preferably in an urban setting. Ability to organize, prioritize, and simultaneously manage multiple projects with attention to detail and high level of professionalism. Independent completion of complex tasks with positive outcomes in fast-paced, high-visibility environments. Ability to work collaboratively with a positive attitude. Familiarity with City of Los Angeles government operations, policymaking process, rules, plans, and functions of departments, agencies, and commissions. Familiarity with other levels of government, such as the County of Los Angeles, State of California, or the Federal Government. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas clearly in written and verbal formats. Fluency in a language other than English is a plus, given the linguistic diversity of Los Angeles' volunteer base. Passion for improving the lives of all Angelenos. ROLE EXPECTATIONS This position may be filled by individuals in all relevant classifications. This role may supervise additional individuals within the Community Programs and Impact team, and will work closely with the leadership of the Office of Major Events, Mayor’s Office policy shops, and City departments. This role is based in an office environment at Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street 90012, and it will require reporting to the office for in-person collaboration and meetings, as well as working outdoors and at off-site meeting locations at times.
HOW TO APPLY Interested individuals should send a cover letter (that includes a minimum of 3 references) and resume by email to Cynthia Castellanos (cynthia.castellanos@lacity.org) with the subject line OME DEPUTY CHIEF OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS no later than Sunday, Aug 16, 2026. This is an exempt, at-will position. The individual appointed to this position will not accrue any civil service tenure, contractual employment rights, or due process rights. The incumbent may be removed, without any finding of cause, by the hiring authority. The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. Please call (213) 744-9300 if you need assistance.