Assistant Director, Department of Tax and Collections

Full Job Description

Reimagine Revenue Leadership. Drive Public Impact.

The County of Santa Clara is not just any government agency, it’s a premier public organization known for its high standard of excellence, strategic leadership, and innovative thinking. With a population of more than 1.9 million residents, Santa Clara County is the largest of the nine Bay Area counties in Northern California, and larger than 12 states. With a workforce of more than 24,000 employees across 30+ departments, the County of Santa Clara delivers critical safety-net services in health, public safety, social services, housing, and more. Our organization is made up of public servants dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for everyone in our community.

Within the County’s Finance Agency, the Department of Tax and Collections is the central collection agency for the County, handling a diverse range of debts. The Department manages collection activities for property taxes, delinquent medical debt, public assistance overpayments, and debt referred by other County departments, as well as franchise fees, transient occupancy taxes, and parking citations in unincorporated county. Annually, the Department bills and collects on over 600,000 accounts totaling over $8.8 billion for its business lines. The most significant is property taxes which is collected on behalf of the County, cities, schools, and special districts in the county.

Operating under a “collectors with compassion” philosophy, we’re on a mission to transform how we manage property tax and revenue collection for the County and its partner agencies and we’re looking for a strategic and analytical leader to make it happen.

As the Assistant Director of the Department of Tax and Collections, you won’t just oversee operations; you’ll shape the future of revenue collection that provides the foundation to support the County’s success, collecting funds that allow the County to provide a wide range of services in a region known for bold ideas, strategic impact, and commitment to community. This is your opportunity to be a part of a best-in-class property tax and revenue program that sets a new standard for efficiency, transparency, and public trust.


Your Mission

Under general direction of the Director, you will lead the County’s comprehensive property tax and revenue collection program, including healthcare-related collections. In this role, you’ll drive operational excellence, implement innovative technical solutions, and champion policies that strengthen the County’s fiscal health. You will oversee a large, multi-functional team and manage a significant budget to ensure compliance, accountability, and impact.


What Makes This Role Unique

Scale and Complexity: You’ll assist in the management of one of the largest and most complex property tax and revenue collection programs in California impacting cities, schools, and special districts across the county.
Innovation in Government: Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, we’re redefining public service—leveraging technology, data, and process improvements to enhance collections and increase revenues.
Direct Impact: Your leadership will influence the County’s ability to fund essential services, including healthcare, housing, public safety, and education.


What You’ll Do

Strategic Revenue Leadership

• Oversee property tax and revenue collection operations, including healthcare-related collections.
• Develop and execute programs aimed at increasing revenues, supported by clear metrics and reporting systems.
• Monitor, analyze, and advocate for policies and legislative initiatives that benefit the department.

Operational Excellence

• Implement ongoing improvements to operational and technical solutions that enhance collections.
• Lead change management for a new collection system replacing aging legacy platforms.

Team and Budget Oversight

• Direct the department’s budget and staffing resources.
• Build a multi-skilled workforce through cross-training and promote a culture of teamwork and accountability.

Public Engagement and Collaboration

• Enhance communications with the public to build trust and transparency.
• Initiate cross-department collaboration to align strategies and optimize performance.

What You Bring

• Proven experience in property tax or revenue collection functions, including auditing.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations governing property tax and revenue operations.
• Experience managing multiple functional teams and large-scale budgets.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive organizational change and foster collaboration.
• Exceptional communication skills to engage diverse audiences, including the public and County leadership.

What Success Looks Like

In the first 6–12 months, you will:

• Gain deep knowledge of the Department’s operations, technology systems, stakeholders, and various departments that support and collaborate with its operations.
• Understand the impact of a successful collection year on the County, cities, schools, and special districts.
• Promote initiatives to improve operations and revenue.

In the long term, you will:

• Increase revenue collection efficiency and effectiveness.
• Build a resilient, cross-trained workforce.
• Position the County of Santa Clara as a model for innovative, transparent revenue management.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a mission-driven public agency committed to planning for the needs of a dynamic community.
• Influence the financial health of one of California’s most impactful governmental agencies.
• Enjoy a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work culture.

More About Our Competitive Executive Benefits

Strategic Financial and Retirement Benefits

• CalPERS pension with reciprocity across most California public agencies (2.5% @ 55 for Classic Members, 2% @ 62 for Non-Classic Members)
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan with both pre-tax and Roth options, up to IRS limits
• $325,000 in term life insurance plus $300,000 in accidental death and disability coverage
• Eligible employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Executive-Level Health, Wellness, and Family Support

• Premium health insurance options (Kaiser, HealthNet, Valley Health Plan) with up to 96% County-paid coverage
• Fully covered dental (Delta or Liberty) and vision (VSP) plans for individuals and families
• Employee Assistance Program Dependent Care Assistance, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Access to wellness and leadership development programs designed to support executive performance and resilience

Leadership Mobility, Time Off, and Professional Growth

• 39 days of annual leave with a cash-out option, plus 13 paid holidays
• Relocation assistance to support seamless transitions
• Tuition reimbursement and internal executive development programs
• Valley Transportation Agency Smart Pass/Clipper Card for sustainable commuting
• To learn more about benefits, check out our dedicated page.

Ready to join the leadership team? Apply now.

Learn more about the County and the impact you can have as a leader.

Application Process and Key Dates

Filing Deadline: Open until filled. First review is Monday, March 16, 2026.

This recruitment may close or be extended as early as 10 business days after posting. Early application is strongly encouraged. Please check the website regularly for updates.

Apply at: https://esa.santaclaracounty.gov/career-seekers

What to include in your application:

1. Résumé
2. Cover Letter (maximum 3 pages)
   Describe why you are the ideal candidate, highlighting relevant leadership experience and accomplishments.

Next steps in the process:

Following mutual interest, a comprehensive background investigation and reference check will be conducted. Finalists will be asked to provide at least five professional references, with prior authorization obtained by Executive Services.

Questions regarding this Executive recruitment may be directed to Adrian Cudal, Executive Services at adrian.cudal@esa.sccgov.orgStay Informed On Our Latest Executive Leadership RecruitmentsSubscribe to our Executive Leadership Careers Newsletter!

Click hereOr follow us on Meta | Instagram | LinkedIn

Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and experience, which would demonstrate the ability to perform the above management responsibilities and the possession of the following knowledge and abilities.

Experience Note: The qualified candidate would typically possess education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration, accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field, and four (4) to six (6) years progressively responsible experience in the management of tax and revenue administration, tax auditing or accounting operations for a large public organization or private entity comparable to the organizational structure of the County of Santa Clara. A Master's degree is highly desirable.

View the full job specification on our career site.