Chief of Staff (Manager III) - Open Until Filled

This recruitment is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged.

Job Appointment:
Full-Time, At Will

Job Location:

In person, City Hall 1221 SW 4th Ave., Portland, OR 97204

Benefits:
Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position.

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Motus Recruiting and Staffing is proud to partner with the City of Portland in its search for the next Chief of Staff to the City Administrator.

The City of Portland is a dynamic, mission-driven public organization committed to serving a diverse and rapidly growing community. Rooted in the values of anti-racism, equity, transparency, communication, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility, Portland strives to deliver high-quality services that meet the needs of its people while advancing just and inclusive outcomes across government systems.

To learn more about the City of Portland, visit their website: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

The Chief of Staff serves as the senior executive coordination and strategic integration leader for the City Administrator, ensuring alignment across the City Administrator's Office, Deputy City Administrators, City bureaus, Council offices, labor partners, and key external stakeholders. Reporting directly to the City Administrator, the Chief of Staff provides executive leadership for enterprise-wide initiatives, executive office management, strategic planning, and cross-organizational coordination.

The Chief of Staff translates executive priorities into coordinated action by overseeing implementation of strategic initiatives, monitoring organizational progress, resolving cross-functional issues, and ensuring alignment between policy decisions, organizational capacity, and operational execution. The position serves as a trusted advisor to the City Administrator while fostering collaboration across the City's new form of government.

The Chief of Staff serves as a trusted advisor to the City Administrator while fostering collaboration across the City's new form of government.

The Chief of Staff serves as the executive integrator responsible for ensuring priorities are coordinated, communicated, implemented, and advanced across the organization.

Executive Leadership & Strategic Coordination

• Serve as the principal strategic advisor and executive coordination partner to the City Administrator.
• Lead executive office planning, priority setting, and coordination to ensure alignment of strategic initiatives across the City Administrator's Office.
• Translate executive priorities into actionable implementation plans, coordinating efforts across Deputy City Administrators, bureau leadership, and City partners.
• Monitor execution of strategic priorities, identifying risks, resolving barriers, and ensuring accountability for key initiatives.
• Coordinate executive decision-making processes and ensure timely follow-through on commitments made by the City Administrator, Mayor, and City Council.
• Lead special projects and enterprise initiatives requiring executive sponsorship, cross-functional coordination, and executive oversight.

Enterprise Coordination & Organizational Alignment

• Serve as the senior executive strategic integrator across the City Administrator's Office, Deputy City Administrators, City bureaus, Council offices, labor partners, key external stakeholders and enterprise functions.
• Coordinate complex cross-bureau initiatives that require collaboration among multiple departments and stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment between strategic priorities, available organizational capacity, and implementation timelines.
• Foster collaboration among executive leadership to advance enterprise-wide priorities and resolve organizational challenges.
• Support enterprise-wide change management initiatives associated with Portland's new form of government.

Executive Communication & Issue Management

• Coordinate executive communications, briefing materials, talking points, and executive messaging for the City Administrator.
• Monitor emerging issues, organizational risks, and sensitive matters requiring executive attention.
• Ensure executive communications are coordinated, timely, accurate, and aligned across internal and external audiences.
• Prepare executive briefing materials and facilitate executive meetings involving complex or politically sensitive issues.

Stakeholder & External Relations

• Build and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, Council offices, labor organizations, bureau leadership, community organizations, regional partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration among internal and external partners to advance City priorities.
• Support the City Administrator in navigating politically sensitive issues while maintaining productive working relationships…