Continuous Improvement Manager - Office of the COO

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

2d • $85,774 - $131,454 • Hybrid

About The Position

Multnomah County is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to promote Multnomah County's commitment to operational excellence and strategic advancement within the office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Continuous Improvement Manager is a member of the County’s new SPARK (Strategic Planning, Performance, Agility, Reinvention and Knowledge) Unit. In the Office of the Chief Operating Officer and under the supervision of the Director of Strategic Initiatives, the SPARK Unit will be the catalyst for countywide transformation, driving strategic focus, continuous improvement and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our communities. Building on the work of the updated mission, vision and values, the unit will develop a countywide strategic plan in partnership with County departments with an emphasis on key performance indicators and a one-county view.

You're a leader, self-starter, with keen attention to detail, a dedicated work ethic and project management in your DNA. You’re an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, and have a desire to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. Unflappable, you are able to keep yourself solutions oriented and collaborative in your focus - even when the demands from multiple projects get complex. You’re the person who can communicate challenges into opportunities and influence others to get on board. As a motivated and high energy change agent, you lead with humility, engender trust and value service to others. This individual champions process improvement and efficiency across the County, utilizing expertise in process improvement methodologies, such as Lean, TPS and Six Sigma, tailoring the approach to the needs of a given project and the values of Multnomah County. The Continuous Improvement Manager will collaborate with diverse teams in support of the Countywide Strategic Plan, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, reduce waste and optimize service delivery for the community. In partnership with the Evaluation and Research Unit, the role uses data analysis to evaluate progress toward outcomes, assists in turning County strategic goals into actionable metrics and formulating strategies to improve business processes and enhance productivity.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree - in lieu of a degree, will we consider equivalent years of related experience
• 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

Nice To Haves

• Ability to interact and work with a diverse group of people at all levels of the organization
• Knowledge and understanding of equity and empowerment frameworks for policy, program and organizational decision-making
• Ability to analyze and make sound recommendations on highly complex and sensitive County issues
• Ability to create and present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively in meetings and before internal and external groups
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex situations
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and multiple competing priorities

Responsibilities

• Lead a group of SME’s in the design, testing and implementation of the One County Operating System (Strategic Planning system, Work Design system, Improvement system and Leadership Development system).
• Lead project teams in the analysis, mapping, and redesign of existing processes, applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other appropriate methodologies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.
• Gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify root causes of inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and service delivery challenges.
• Collaborate effectively with County departments, staff at all levels, and external stakeholders to understand operational needs, facilitate process improvement workshops, and build consensus on approaches and solutions.
• Guide teams through the implementation of process changes, providing training, coaching, and project management support to ensure successful adoption and sustainability.
• Develop and deliver training materials on process improvement methodologies, tools, and best practices to build capacity within the County.
• Support the Chief Strategy Officer, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Operating Officer with Countywide priorities, including the development of a new strategic planning process.
• Contribute to the development and execution of the Multnomah County Strategic Plan by ensuring that process improvement initiatives support the county's overall goals and objectives.
• Recommend and assist in the design of countywide performance metrics, tied to the goals set in the strategic plan.
• Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of process improvement initiatives, reporting on results to the Chief Strategy Officer and other County leadership.
• Other COO Team projects as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level