Chief Human Resources Officer

The Opportunity

Multnomah County is looking for our next Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) who is a seasoned trauma‑informed strategic leader with proven experience navigating complex organizational change and cultivating a culture of safety, trust, and belonging.

As an advisor to executive leadership, elected officials, and a member of the leadership team, the CHRO leads a team of HR professionals serving more than 6,500 Multnomah County employees. The CHRO develops and implements strategies to drive retention within HR. The CHRO also partners, builds relationships, and negotiates contracts with 13 labor unions — collaborating with them in problem‑solving.

The CHRO oversees a budget of $180 million and is responsible for developing metrics, reporting on HR programs, and advocating for the necessary resources and staffing levels to support the sustainability of quality and timely HR services.

This is an opportunity to lead a critical role in optimizing HR practices across Multnomah County. The County is transitioning from a decentralized to a shared services HR model. The CHRO will lead the organization through this significant structural change, provide clear countywide policy direction, and support department HR teams.

The CHRO will set the vision and strategic direction for HR operations. They will develop and implement innovative practices to bolster HR programs, ensure compliance with laws, and establish the County as an employer of choice. This includes implementing the County’s comprehensive Workforce Equity Strategic Plan (WESP), which will further promote equitable opportunities and foster a countywide culture of safety, trust, and belonging.

• Developing, implementing, and setting priorities for a comprehensive human resources strategy and vision.

• Advocating confidently to the Board and Department Directors regarding the value of HR, the realities of HR workload, and the necessity of resource allocation.

• Proven business savvy, cultural competence, political understanding, and sensitivity with the ability to think ahead, anticipate issues, and proactively develop response plans are essential. Demonstrate strong business acumen.

• Innovative strategic thinking and problem solving. Problems you encounter in this role require you to apply advanced management principles in a diverse and complex County government organization.

• Deep commitment to intersectionality‑centered equity and an ability to engage with diverse staff and leadership to promote collaboration and partnership across departments and levels of leadership.

• Unwavering commitment to cultivating a work culture of safety, trust and belonging. Embraces the Workforce Equity Strategic Plan.

• Set the tone for supervision by leading with humanity, dignity, and respect, ensuring that all employees feel valued and heard.

• Ability to develop and monitor indicators of organizational culture and engage employees and senior leadership to create organizational change.

• Overseeing and administering all Countywide HR programs, including Labor Relations, HRIS, Classification and Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Organizational Learning, Organizational Change, and Talent Acquisition.

• Establishing and communicating clear expectations and standardized policies to ensure consistency across all departments.

• Championing the Centralization/Shared Services implementation by clarifying roles, streamlining complex processes, and reducing administrative burdens on HR staff.

• Demonstrating expertise in Change Management to address high‑priority shifts in operations, ensuring staff are supported through the transition of the Shared Services.

• Commitment to keeping people informed by using compassionate, clear, trauma‑informed language to communicate with staff and foster open communication, trust, and transparency. The CHRO should be highly visible within the County organization, proactively communicating with departments.

• Create genuine feedback loops (e.g., surveys,…