She returns to Personnel from CAO’s Office.
Malaika Billups has been named the new General Manager of Personnel. She takes the top position after serving as the Assistant City Administrative Officer. She brings decades of experience in the public and private sectors, and will direct the Personnel Dept. with strategic leadership to support the City workforce, implement strategies to reduce the City’s liability payments and improve City hiring practices, Mayor Karen Bass said in a written statement.
“I am honored to be appointed by Mayor Bass as the next General Manager of the Department of Personnel,” Malaika Billups said in a statement. “I’m ready to hit the ground running, working collaboratively to ensure that hiring practices for the City are streamlined, ensuring that we hire only the best because that is what Angelenos deserve.”
The modernization of the City’s hiring practices is paramount to Mayor Bass’ efforts to change the status quo and deliver on the essential needs of Angelenos, the Mayor said. Currently, it takes months for someone to be hired by the City of Los Angeles. In that time, qualified individuals receive offers from neighboring cities, reducing the City’s talent pool. That timeline is unacceptable to the Mayor, and the appointment of Malaika Billups is an important step to transforming, streamlining and creating a modernized approach to the City’s hiring practices.
Malaika has been a fixture in City leadership since 2017. As the Assistant City Administrative Officer, she served in a wide range of capacities to support the annual budget process, labor and employee relations as well as developing financial management practices for City departments. Prior to joining the Office of the City Administrative Officer, Billups was the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Personnel, overseeing the implementation of a comprehensive Workplace Equity Policy and developing the City’s Culture and Climate Survey.
She began her career at the City as the Deputy City Attorney in the Labor Relations Division where she helped create the Workplace Equity Policy, ensuring the City was in compliance with state employment laws. Furthermore, she provided counsel to more than ten City departments regarding City employment matters. Her experience across various City departments, working directly with City employees will assist in addressing the City’s high liability costs by working to ensure that City employees have access to the resources they need.
After graduating from Loyola Law School, Malaika worked for reputable law firms in Los Angeles before joining the City. She began her career as a fourth grade teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
