Business Services Director

Multnomah County•Portland, OR

1d•$122,874 - $196,598•Hybrid

About The Position

Multnomah County’s Homeless Services Department was established in 2016. Our department works with community-based organizations and local governments partners to provide participant-driven, coordinated and equity-based services focused on people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Homeless Services Department (HSD) is seeking a visionary, strategic, and highly collaborative Business Services Director. This executive-level role is responsible for the complete planning, policy formation, oversight, and evaluation of the financial and operational health of HSD. Managing a budget that features over $100+ million in human services contracts, you will oversee general financial management, accounts payable, grants management, budget formulation, procurement, and contracting. As a key advisor to the Department Director and senior leadership, you will navigate a complex, politically sensitive, and deeply rewarding cross-jurisdictional landscape—interfacing directly with the Multnomah County’s Board of Commissioners, the City of Portland, Metro Regional Government, and the State of Oregon to reshape the region’s supportive housing and homeless services framework.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance or a directly related field. (Equivalent practical experience can be substituted year-for-year for this education requirement.)
Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional finance-related experience
three (3) to six (6) years of managing business operations experience
two (2) years of experience supervising management staff.
Experience applying an equity lens in all processes and decisions.

Nice To Haves

Ability to conduct in depth and complex financial analysis is critical.
Experience in public finance, public administration, risk management, or financial analysis/management.
Experience engaging a board committee (volunteer or elected) in financial policy development and recommendations.
Experience leading multi-tiered teams through subordinate supervisors.
Knowledge of public budget and financial regulations, policies, reporting requirements, and project management and/or funding.
Experience and proven success speaking, communicating and presenting to leaders and stakeholders internally and externally with varying levels of financial understanding.
Strong understanding of public procurement processes and compliance auditing for large-scale ($100M+) human services contracts.
Demonstrated commitment to integrating equity and inclusion into workforce management, policy creation, and budgetary processes.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Proven capability to engage with elected officials, jurisdictional partners, and the public regarding highly sensitive public initiatives.

Responsibilities

Manage the Homeless Services Department Business Services: Comprehensive Operations Management: Oversees all division functions, including finance, accounts payable, grants, budgeting, procurement, IT, and facilities management.
Team Leadership: Directly supervises non-represented staff and indirectly manages fiscal and operational teams through subordinate supervisors.
Strategic & Financial Advising: Acts as the primary financial advisor to the Director and senior leadership on complex, politically sensitive, and cross-jurisdictional budget strategies and risk mitigation.
Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs): Develops and manages service-level agreements tied to City-County and County-Metro partnerships (including the Supportive Housing Services program).
Public Representation & Diplomacy: Serves as the department's representative to elected officials, external agencies, task forces, and the public; resolves sensitive inquiries and leads funding negotiations.
Compliance & Equity: Establishes administrative controls to meet changing regulatory requirements and provides senior leadership to advance department workforce and budget equity goals.
Fiscal Business Services: Financial Unit Administration: Directs multiple fiscal work units including Revenue/AR, Accounts Payable, Budgeting, Grants, and Procurement/Contracting. Establishes sustainable long-term financial plans, evaluates operational risks/opportunities, and implements fiscal policies to improve department-wide outcomes. Directs monthly fiscal reporting.
Budget Development & Forecasting: Leads the annual budget process, tracking historic trends, forecasting revenue and resource needs, identifying grant opportunities, and embedding equity into budget proposals.
$100M+ Contract Management: Oversees financial operations for over $100+ million in human services contracts, managing selection processes, monitoring outcomes, and auditing for strict compliance.
Cross-Jurisdictional Finance, Budget, and Contract Management Intergovernmental Representation: Represents the County and department in regional engagements, funding negotiations, and task forces with the City of Portland, Metro Regional Government, the State of Oregon, and community-based organizations (CBOs).
Executive & Political Reporting: Prepares and delivers complex fiscal analyses and briefings to high-level leadership, including the Department Director, County COO, City/County Budget Directors, Mayor’s Office, County Chair, City Council, and the Board of County Commissioners.
Public & Stakeholder Relations: Conducts community outreach and delivers presentations on fiscal and budget matters to the public, elected officials, and external agency partners.