Director, , Management

Position Title Oregon Department of Transportation Director

Initial Posting Date 09/04/2026

Final date to receive applications 11/09/2026

Agency Department of Transportation

Salary Range $15,834 - $24,553

Position Type Employee

Agency Head 2 – Director

Oregon Department of Transportation

ODOT Headquarters – Director’s Office

Salem

The Governor’s Office is recruiting an experienced, collaborative and visionary leader to serve as the director for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) – one of Oregon’s largest and most consequential state agencies. This is an opportunity to lead an agency with a highly skilled and dedicated workforce who are committed to a statewide mission that touches the daily lives of every Oregonian.

ODOT plans, builds, operates and maintains a multimodal transportation system that connects people and communities, supports Oregon’s economy, and moves people and commerce safely and efficiently throughout the state.

As the chief executive of this award-winning agency with a $6.1 billion biennial budget, and approximately 4,800 employees working across Oregon, ODOT is a complex organization with a broad and highly visible public mission. The agency’s workforce operates in communities of all sizes—from regional offices in Oregon’s metropolitan areas to maintenance stations serving mountain passes, forests, coastal communities and the high desert.

The director will be responsible for creating the conditions for this workforce to succeed while ensuring strong organizational performance, responsible stewardship of public resources and effective delivery of services.

• Establishing clear strategic priorities and ensuring the effective administration of Oregon’s multimodal transportation system.
• Providing executive leadership for the agency’s operations, programs, budget and resources, with a strong focus on accountability, performance and results.
• Working closely with the governor, Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) and legislature to advance transportation priorities and implement state policy.
• Building strong, productive relationships with local governments, tribes, transportation partners, federal and state agencies, industry, community organizations and other stakeholders.
• Representing ODOT with credibility, transparency and accountability before elected officials, partners and the public.
• Leading long-term planning and innovation to ensure Oregon’s transportation system is safe, reliable, efficient, resilient and sustainable.
• Fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, continuous improvement and service throughout the organization.

ODOT has a strong record of innovation and leadership, including nationally recognized programs such as OReGO. The agency also actively manages an extensive portfolio of critical infrastructure and transportation investments, including the Interstate Bridge Replacement program in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Oregon is changing, and so are the transportation needs of its residents, businesses and communities. The next director will have the opportunity to build on ODOT’s strengths while helping the agency respond to evolving expectations around safety, mobility, climate resilience, infrastructure investment, technology, fiscal stewardship and customer service.

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated executive leadership experience, sound judgment and a commitment to public service. Just as important will be the ability to listen, build trust across differing perspectives, communicate clearly about difficult issues and bring people together around shared goals.

This is a role for a leader who…