Strategic Initiatives Manager - COO’s Office

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$88,604.78 - $135,792.20 Annual

Department:

Department of County Management (DCM)

Job Type:

Regular Non-Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

October 08, 2026

The Opportunity:

Overview

Multnomah County is seeking a Strategic Initiatives Manager to help support Multnomah County’s strategic priorities within the office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO  oversees all County departments and key corporate functions of the County. The person(s) in this position provides advice and support to the COO, Deputy COO’s, Director of Strategic Initiatives and other County leaders and manages a number of disparate, complex, and confidential projects. Projects are generally countywide, cross-departmental and/or span multiple jurisdictions. While the position(s) will report to the Director of Strategic Initiatives, they will support the entire COO team.

Are you interested?

We are looking for a leader, self-starter, someone with keen attention to detail, a dedicated work ethic and project management in their DNA. The ideal candidate would be an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, and have a desire to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. They are unflappable, maintaining a solutions-oriented and collaborative approach even amidst complex, multi-project demands. They excel at transforming challenges into opportunities and influencing others. As a highly motivated and energetic change agent, they lead with humility, inspire trust and are dedicated to serving others.

As a Strategic Initiatives Manager, you will: 

• Lead project planning and implementation, defining scope, goals, milestones and deliverables 
• Manage budgets, resources, timelines, risks and documentation
• Develop and administer budgets for Department of County Management (DCM), including presentations and forecasting
• Troubleshoot urgent requests for the COO’s office, including emergencies and requests from the Chair and Board of Commissioners
• Provide expert guidance, represent the county to the public and other agencies and resolves confidential inquiries
• Serve as DCM legislative coordinator
• Offer thought-partnership and project support to Central HR for workforce development initiatives like the Executive Learning Series, Multnomah County Managers Conference and Mission, Vision and Values project

You will also provide operations policy analysis and strategic communications. This includes: 

• Providing strategic analysis and support for policy and procedure implementation, ensuring compliance and best practices
• Collaborating with various departments and agencies, assisting executive leadership in policy development
• Recommending and overseeing programs, policies, and regulations, prepare reports and lead complex projects, including Countywide initiatives and organizational studies 
• Advocating for and supporting department directors with organizational change, participating in the annual budget process, administering contracts, overseeing RFPs and serving as a liaison to other agencies, boards, and committees, communicating professionally with elected officials, directors, and staff
• Preparing talking points, presentations and other communications for the COO and Deputy COO’s

If you are interested, apply today!

About us:

Multnomah County, the most populous county in Oregon, is home to over 800,000 residents and responsible for providing a wide array of services to our diverse communities in an equitable and inclusive way. At the County, we operate to foster safety, trust and belonging for our community throughout the work, services, and programs we provide. In order for our employees to best serve the people, we recognize that as an organization, we must cultivate a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion - fostering a workplace where all staff can flourish and grow professionally and personally.  

The 2024-2028 Workforce Equity Strategic Plan was unanimously approved by the Board on March 14, 2024. This renewal of equity efforts builds on the infrastructure, practices and other improvements established in accordance with the first plan.

To Qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. 

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field; experience may substitute for the degree
• Three (3) to six (6) years of increasingly responsible leadership experience, including at least two (2) years of senior level consulting experience or project management
• Knowledge of principles and practices of administration in the public sector, including methods used in project management, policy analysis and strategic planning

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Expertise working effectively with diverse groups and individuals at all organizational levels
• Knowledge and understanding of equity and empowerment frameworks for policy, program and organizational decision-making
• Experience analyzing and making sound recommendations on highly complex and sensitive issues
• Proficiency creating and presenting proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively in meetings and before internal and external groups
• Competence exercising tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex situations
• Capability working under tight deadlines and multiple competing priorities

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position. 

Screening and Evaluation 

The Application Packet: Your completed application must include the following items:

• A completed online application.
• A resume that contains your relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, and if applicable the number of employees under your supervision.
• A cover letter that expands on your resume and addresses 
  • why you are interested in this position and;
  • demonstrates how your experience and skill set aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.

Note: The application,  resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, addressing how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualification listed, as these materials may be scored and determine if you move forward in the process.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications: We may do an additional preferred review, phone screen, and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified.
• Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.
• Background check / reference checks: All finalists must pass reference checks and some departments may require a criminal records check.

Additional Details 

This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.

Type of Position: This is an executive unclassified position. Unclassified employees serve at the pleasure of the Department Director and may be subject to discharge at any time. This salaried position is exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Schedule: Monday - Friday; there may be some flexibility with scheduling, and daily start and end times. 

Hybrid Telework:  This position can be designated as “hybrid telework”, which allows the capability of working both remotely (from home) and in the office at least three days per week.  The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is the Multnomah Building: 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214. 

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website.

Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.  

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Jessi Rhodes

Email:

jessi.rhodes@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 8650407

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

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