DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Mayor

Exempt | Location: Civic Center

Annual Salary

$109,500 - $160,200

contact information

Mayor's Office HR Team
213-978-0600
Mayor.Jobs@lacity.org

job description

The Mayor's Office of International Affairs (MOIA) leverages Los Angeles’ global position and partnerships to bring tangible benefits to Angelenos, in the form of opportunities, investment, ideas, and solutions. Our team is the primary entry point for international governments, companies, and organizations seeking to connect with City Hall and our diverse and dynamic city. We maintain strong relationships with the diplomatic community based in Los Angeles and beyond, work to attract job-creating foreign investment to the city, and demonstrate LA’s leadership on the global stage on issues like sustainability, major events, and resiliency. In the lead up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are ensuring our city is prepared to welcome the world and showcase the strength of the city’s communities, economy, and convening power.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, the Director of International Relations, serves as a senior strategic leader and principal advisor on geopolitical affairs, diplomatic engagement, and international protocol. This position is responsible for shaping and advancing the City’s diplomatic strategy; cultivating and managing high-level relationships with the Los Angeles Consular Corps and foreign governments; advising the Deputy Mayor and senior leadership on international political developments; and ensuring that Los Angeles’ global engagements are conducted with the highest level of professionalism and diplomatic acumen.

The Director plays a critical role in positioning Los Angeles as a trusted and influential global partner, particularly in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide expert analysis and strategic counsel to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on geopolitical developments and their local implications.
Monitor, assess, and interpret political, economic, and regional trends that may affect Los Angeles’ residents, economy, and international relationships.
Develop policy recommendations and engagement strategies that align global developments with municipal priorities.
Serve as the Mayor’s Office principal liaison to the Los Angeles Consular Corps and foreign government representatives.
Lead and manage high-level diplomatic engagements, bilateral meetings, and international delegations.
Strengthen and expand relationships with foreign missions, international organizations, and regional institutions.
Support efforts to attract and retain foreign consulates and diplomatic representation in Los Angeles.
Draft high-level briefing materials, diplomatic correspondence, memoranda, and official communications.
Represent the Mayor’s Office at official functions, conferences, and global forums domestically and internationally.
Support strategic international engagement in preparation for major global events, including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Facilitate coordination between City departments and foreign missions to resolve issues impacting official residence and diplomatic operations.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

7-10+ years of experience in international relations, diplomacy, foreign policy, global public affairs, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience engaging senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, and executive leadership.
Deep knowledge of international political dynamics, multilateral institutions, and geopolitical trends.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft high-level briefing materials and diplomatic correspondence.
Demonstrated leadership ability and executive presence.
Proven capacity to operate effectively in complex political environments with sound judgment and discretion.
Experience managing multiple high-profile priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a high-visibility environment.
Proven ability to manage high-level initiatives under tight deadlines while maintaining precision and professionalism.
Ability to interact and work well with others in a team environment.
Advanced degree in international relations, public policy, or related fields strongly preferred.
Strong commitment to public service.

How to apply

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Mayor.Jobs@lacity.org with “Director of International Relations” in the subject line no later than Friday, April 3, 2026. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and suitable candidates may be contacted and hired before the application deadline. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.

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.

exempt employment

If employment is said to be exempt, it is meant that the employment is exempted from the civil service provisions of the City Charter. In order to receive a regular civil service appointment, employees must have successfully participated in a civil service examination, received a high enough score on the examination to be placed on and receive an appointment from an eligible list, and they must serve a probationary period. Exempt employees do not compete in a civil service examination, they are not placed on an eligible list and receive an appointment from that list, nor do they serve a probationary period. As a result, exempt employees do not have what is referred to as a “property interest” in their job. Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority and can be terminated at any time without cause. Employees with a property interest in their job, i.e. civil service employees, cannot be deprived of their employment(discharged or suspended) without due process.

General Information About Exempt Employment

Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority, and as such, they may be discharged, suspended or otherwise disciplined without cause. Exempt employees have no property interest in their employment, and any procedural benefit or other prerogative extended to them by their appointing authority is not intended to create and does not create any such property interest. No officer or employee of the City may make to any other officer or employee any representation of a property interest in employment which does not correspond to Charter provisions unless the City Council, by ordinance, permits such representation. No unauthorized representation can serve as the basis of an employee's reliance on, or expectation of, a property interest.

Employees Seeking To Become Civil Service Employees

There is no protective leave for an exempt employee appointed to a civil service position. Upon receiving a civil service appointment and passing probation, the former exempt employee will be subject to the Civil Service provisions described in Article X of the City Charter. Upon appointment, the civil service employee will begin to accrue displacement and layoff seniority on the first day of his/her civil service appointment and may file for promotional examinations for which s/he qualifies. A full or half-time exempt employee appointed to a full or half-time civil service position continues to: contribute to the Retirement System; accrue vacation time; accrue sick time; receive anniversary date salary increases; and, receive health and dental benefits identical to those received in the civil service position.

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