Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

6d • $184,666 - $295,465 • Onsite

About The Position

Multnomah County is seeking a seasoned and dynamic executive to serve as Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) . As the largest safety net provider in Oregon, the County is a grounding force dedicated to making our community safer, healthier, and more secure. In this pivotal role, you will perform high-level executive and strategic duties supporting the Chief Operating Officer in the administration of county operations. You will lead a diverse workforce of over 6,500 FTE serving 800,000 residents, driving an economic engine that contributes $4 billion annually to the region. We are looking for a leader with a passion for progressive public policy and a deep commitment to public service. You must be adept at operating in a political environment, displaying keen judgment and tactful communication skills. You will serve as a highly visible member of leadership, frequently responding to inquiries from the Board of County Commissioners and acting as the Chief Operating Officer in their absence. Responsibilities in this role include: As Deputy COO, you will oversee a critical portfolio including County Infrastructure, the Department of County Assets (DCA), and the Department of County Management (DCM). You will be a primary driver of the County Infrastructure Strategic Plan , with a specific focus on Operational Excellence and Government Accountability.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related work experience
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience with responsibility for a large scale organization of employees represented by labor, policy development, facilitation, strategic planning, budgeting, human resource management, collaborative culture building and operational planning.
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex human capital strategies and organizational data clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, ranging from frontline employees and union representatives to executive leadership and the Board of Commissioners
• Substantial experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource optimization. Examples include managing multi-million dollar departmental budgets, forecasting personnel costs, and overseeing capital expenditures
• Demonstrated experience managing departments and coordination of a large workforce
• Experience applying equity lens to operational decisions

Nice To Haves

• A Masters Degree
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a Senior Level Executive role
• Public Sector/Governmental Experience: Direct, substantial experience in a large county, state, or municipal government or other comparable complex public-sector entity
• Demonstration experience working with Elected Officials or high ranking leadership, navigating conflict, and highly political environments
• Direct experience leading a large scale organization transformation

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Shape and realize the County’s mission and vision as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. You will provide executive expertise in developing annual goals and long-range planning while acting as a liaison between the Board of Commissioners, elected officials, and federal/state agencies.
• Operational Excellence: Lead initiatives to improve performance outcomes and establish administrative controls. You will provide executive direction for internal services, including Information Technology, Facilities and Property Management, Fleet Services, and Records Management, ensuring these functions are agile and service-centric.
• Workforce Equity: Directly oversee activities under the Workforce Equity Strategic Plan (WESP). You will champion a culture of Safety, Trust, and Belonging, ensuring that operational designs, recruitment, and retention practices are centered on racial equity and inclusion.
• Fiscal Stewardship: Participate in the annual budget process, supporting departments in optimizing multi-million dollar resources. This includes overseeing Finance and Risk Management, the Central Budget Office, and the Division of Assessment, Recording, and Taxation (DART).
• Collaborative Governance: Break down internal silos by promoting cross-departmental coordination. You will lead the implementation of large-scale capital investments and coordinate inter-jurisdictional projects, ensuring complex countywide decisions connect to the organization's core values.
• Change Management: Support department heads with organizational change initiatives, leveraging continuous improvement strategies to modernize traditional structures into outcome-focused operating models.

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: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees