Chief Strategy & Change Management Officer (Manager III) - Open Until Filled

About the role

The City of Portland, OR is seeking a Chief Strategy & Change Management Officer. Portland is transitioning from a government where elected officials directly managed bureaus to one where elected leaders establish policy while professional administrators oversee operations. This shift requires more than a new organizational chart. It requires a new way of thinking, leading, collaborating, measuring success, and delivering public services. The Chief Strategy & Change Management Officer will become the architect behind that transformation.

Working alongside the City Administrator, executive leadership team, bureau directors, elected officials, and community stakeholders, this executive will establish the strategic planning framework, accountability systems, governance processes, and organizational capabilities needed to align dozens of bureaus and service areas around a shared vision. The position will also build the City’s long-term strategy function and determine the resources and structure needed for its continued success.

The ideal candidate is a highly accomplished and visionary executive who excels at leading organizational strategy, transformation, and continuous improvement across complex organizations. This individual will be a collaborative leader with a history of driving meaningful change, building alignment among diverse stakeholders, and fostering a culture of accountability and innovation. The successful candidate will have extensive experience integrating strategic planning, budgeting, governance, and performance management into a cohesive organizational framework while effectively navigating political, operational, and labor-related complexities. They will be a trusted advisor to executive and elected leadership, bringing exceptional communication skills, emotional intelligence, political savvy, and a systems-thinking approach to solving challenges and advancing organizational priorities. Above all, the ideal candidate will be a relationship builder who can unite teams around a common vision and successfully guide the organization through periods of growth and transformation.

Responsibilities

• Establish the strategic planning framework, accountability systems, governance processes, and organizational capabilities needed to align dozens of bureaus and service areas around a shared vision.
• Build the City’s long-term strategy function and determine the resources and structure needed for its continued success.
• Lead enterprise-wide strategy, organizational transformation, and change within a complex, multi-stakeholder organization.
• Integrate strategic planning, budgeting, governance, and performance management into a cohesive organizational framework.
• Navigate political, operational, and labor-related complexities while advising senior administrative and political leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability and innovation through collaboration and systems-thinking.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience, including four (4) years in a supervisory or management role.

Qualifications

• Significant senior executive or leadership experience, ideally 12–15 years of progressively responsible experience in a complex, multi-stakeholder organization.
• Master’s degree in public administration, organizational management, public policy, business administration, or a closely related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated success designing and implementing enterprise-wide strategy and organizational transformation.
• Experience integrating strategic planning, budgeting, governance, and performance management into a cohesive framework.
• Experience leading significant organizational change in politically complex and unionized environments.
• Track record of leading across organizational boundaries, building alignment, and breaking down silos.
• Exceptional executive communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to advise and influence senior administrative and political leadership while navigating competing priorities.
• Systems-thinking mindset coupled with high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, political acumen, and comfort operating in ambiguity.

Benefits

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