Strategic Initiatives Manager - COO's Office

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

2d • $88,605 - $135,792 • Hybrid

About The Position

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 in this position provides advice and support to the COO, Deputy COO’s 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. 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.

Requirements

• 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

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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
• Provide operations policy analysis and strategic communications.
• 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

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

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