Portland Permitting & Development Director (Director II) - Open Until Filled

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Portland Permitting & Development Director (Director II) - Open Until Filled
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Portland Permitting & Development Director (Director II) - Open Until Filled
Salary
$176,862.40 - $257,004.80 Annually
Location
1900 SW 4th Ave, OR
Job Type
At Will
Job Number
2025-00746
Bureau
Portland Permitting & Development
Opening Date
08/05/2025
Description
Benefits
The Position
Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri. 8-5, alternate schedule may be available after probation
Work Location: 1900 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97201, USA
Benefit: 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 (https://www.portland.gov/bhr/class-comp/language-pay-differential-overview) for qualifying employees.
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the Motus online portal (https://motusrecruiting.com/job-seekers/search-jobs/details/?job_id=13202) . You will need to attach a resume, cover letter, and equity statement.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
This position is open until filled. Early submission is encouraged.
Application review will take place on September 8th.
Position Summary:
The Permitting & Development Director will lead a team of over 300 employees and manage a FY 2025-2026 budget of nearly $80 million. Reporting to the Deputy City Administrator for the Community and Economic Development Service Area, this role will oversee permitting, inspections, compliance, and development review services across Portland.
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity during a pivotal moment of government restructuring. The Director will drive strategic vision, operational transformation, and equity-focused service delivery that will shape Portland’s growth and built environment for years to come.
What you'll get to do:
Oversee permitting, inspections, development review, and compliance processes.
Guide implementation and enforcement of building and land use codes.
Lead strategic planning, change management, and modernization efforts.
Promote a culture of equity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Manage a $80M budget with fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Collaborate with other bureaus to ensure coordinated citywide permitting.
Represent PP&D before City Council, media, and in public forums.
Foster strong relationships with community members and stakeholders.
Lead efforts to improve digital systems and service responsiveness.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Extensive Leadership: 10+ years leading complex permitting or development agencies.
Equity-Centered: Proven track record embedding DEI in operations, workforce, and policy.
Strategic Visionary: Experience crafting and executing long-term goals that align with civic priorities.
Change Manager: Skilled in leading large public organizations through structural transformation.
Community-Engaged: Deep understanding of inclusive stakeholder processes and culturally responsive engagement.
Policy Expertise: Working knowledge of land use law, environmental regulation, and economic development.
Collaborative: Skilled at building consensus across departments, sectors, and public/private divides.
Public Service Ethic: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and transparency in leadership.
Education: A degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field is preferred.
Cultural Competency: Understanding of Portland’s history and how zoning has impacted communities of color.
About the Bureau:
Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) is a key component of the City’s broader charter reform and modernization initiative. Uniting permitting staff from various bureaus—Water, Environmental Services, Transportation, Urban Forestry, and others is designed to make the City’s development services more efficient, equitable, and customer-focused.
With 11 divisions including Land Use Services, Inspections, Public Infrastructure Review, and Digital Services, PP&D is leading a bold transformation of how Portland engages with its built environment, streamlining systems, modernizing technology, and unlocking sustainable economic opportunity.
To learn more about the City of Portland, visit: https://www.portland.gov
Have a question?
Contact Information:
Dreshawn Vance,
Motus VP of Executive Search
dreshawn@motusrecruiting.com
To Qualify
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:
10+ years leading complex permitting or development organizations
Degree in urban planning, public administration, or related field preferred
Demonstrated success embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into operations and policy
Strategic leadership experience in civic or public-sector transformation
Skilled in change management, organizational development, and innovation
Strong background in stakeholder engagement and inclusive community processes
Expertise in land use policy, environmental regulations, and urban development
Collaborative leader who can build consensus across bureaus and communities
Commitment to public service, transparency, and cultural competency
Familiarity with Portland’s zoning history and its impacts on communities of color is strongly valued
The Recruitment Process
STEP 1: Apply online HERE (https://motusrecruiting.com/job-seekers/search-jobs/details/?job_id=13202)
Required Application Materials:
Cover letter: Details are key! The city uses a merit-based system, so your cover letter should be thorough and specifically address each qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section of the job announcement. Your cover letter can exceed one page, to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. Follow the instructions, as a subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
Resume
Equity and anti-racism statement
Optional Application Materials:
If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.
Application Tips:
Your cover letter can exceed one page, to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. A subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
Your résumé should support the details described in your cover letter.
An equity and anti-racism statement outlines your commitment and experience successfully developing and delivering equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist approaches to executive management. Experiences may include, but are not limited to the following:
Lived experience as a member of an underrepresented group
Experience living, working, and meaningfully engaging with individuals with a variety of identities
Track record of instilling equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices within operations
Other experiences that demonstrate your commitment to equity, anti-racism, and inclusion, and how that will be manifested in this position.
APPLY HERE (https://motusrecruiting.com/job-seekers/search-jobs/details/?job_id=13202)
Additional Information
Click here (https://www.portland.gov/bhr/career-center/recruitment-policy) for additional information regarding the following:
City of Portland Core Values
Recruitment Process - Work Status
Equal Employment Opportunity
Veteran Preference
ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to
Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
Carrot Fertility
Wellness Benefits
Life Insurance
Long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families.
Employee Assistance Plan
Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement
Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
Family Medical Leave
City Paid Parental Leave
AND SO MANY MORE!
Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. Click here to review the many different benefits the City of Portland offers (https://www.portland.gov/bhr/benefit-offerings/benefits-quickstart-guide/benefit-plan-summaries-highlight-guides) .
Employer
City of Portland
Address
1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987 Portland, Oregon, 97204
Website
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/jobs
Please verify your email address Verify Email
Apply
Location:
Portland, OR, United States
Job Type:
FullTime
Category:
Management Occupations

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