San Jose Standard

San José City Manager Welcomes New Deputy City Manager to Leadership Team

SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 18, 2024) – After a nationwide recruitment, City Manager Jennifer Maguire has promoted Jennifer Schembri to Deputy City Manager, filling a key position on her City Manager’s Office Leadership Team. Schembri assumes the role on August 5, 2024.

"Jennifer’s ability to find solutions that work for all stakeholders will help us create stronger partnerships," said Maguire. "She is a bold, positive presence in our organization and has successfully led teams that produce crucial outcomes which has earned her deep trust across our organization. I am confident she will help us deliver on the City’s goals."

“Jennifer Schembri is a force within City Hall — she moves with urgency, has a proven track record of results and above all, cares for the community,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “I am excited to continue working with her to create a safer, cleaner San José as she assumes this new, well-deserved role.”

Schembri has been with San José for nearly 20 years, starting in 2004 as an Executive Analyst in the City Manager’s Office. After a series of promotions, she most recently held the duo position of Director of the City Manager’s Office of Employee Relations and Director of the Human Resources Department. As Director of Employee Relations, she assumed the role of Chief Labor Negotiator and led the City through a pension reform settlement and many successful negotiations with all 12 of the City’s bargaining units. This included both the Police and Fire unions.

As Director of Human Resources, Schembri spearheaded efforts to reduce the city’s vacancy rate from 13.4% in July 2023 to an expected rate of approximately 10% by June 2024. She also restored the Workforce Learning and Development Team and served as Personnel Branch Director in the Emergency Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It gives me great pride to serve San José," stated Schembri. "In support of our City Manager Jennifer Maguire, I look forward to continuing collaborating with our city departments in their service delivery to the community."

Deputy City Managers play an important role in city leadership by supporting Maguire in driving City Council priorities and ensuring service delivery goals are met. Schembri's portfolio will include Increasing Community Safety Focus Area and Making San José a Great Place to Work among other assignments.

Schembri was recognized by Silicon Valley Business Journal as a Woman of Influence in 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga and currently resides in San José with her family.

About San José:

With almost one million residents, San José is one of Northern California's largest cities known for its diverse population and high concentration of technology companies.