Planning and Sustainability Director (Director II)

About the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability: 

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) oversees a world-renowned waste and recycling system and leads the country in its commitment to digital equity, open data, and protecting communities in the application of technologies. Staff collaborate with partners on neighborhood, economic, historic, and environmental planning and provide research, policy, and technical services to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as policies and actions to address climate change. The bureau also oversees the innovative Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).
 
For more information, please visit the Planning and Sustainability website.

About the BPS Director Position: 

The City of Portland is seeking a dynamic, visionary, and strategic leader to serve as the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Director. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the City’s efforts in long-range planning and community development, with a strong emphasis on racial, economic, and climate justice.
 
As the Director, you will provide strategic leadership for BPS’s broad portfolio of work including long-range planning, climate action, waste management, community technology and digital equity, and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF)--a landmark initiative that invests in clean energy, green jobs, and climate resilience, particularly for historically marginalized communities.
 
The Director will guide a high-performing team of professionals (approximately 145 FTE) and collaborate with City leaders, especially within the Community and Economic Development Service Area, community organizations, other jurisdictions, and external stakeholders in a rapidly changing and politically dynamic environment. The Director will lead a team of six (6) direct reports and manage a budget of over $150 million to ensure Portland remains a national leader in climate action and continues to foster equitable economic opportunities and social justice for all Portlanders.

• Job Appointment: Full-time. This position is exempt from Civil Service and is an "At Will" position.  It serves at the discretion of the hiring authority, subject to the City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rules and the Portland City Charter and Code.
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 am-5 pm.  Work hours will vary to meet business needs.
• Work Location: Hybrid; at least 50 percent of work hours to be conducted in-office, and up to (or no more than) 50 percent remote. In-person work is to be conducted at the Vanport Building, located at 1810 SW 5th Avenue, 7th floor. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.
• Benefits:  Please check our benefits tab for an overview of the benefits of this position.
  
• Language Pay Premium: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.
• Application Material:  Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a cover letter, resume, and an equity statement. 

Essential Competencies for Success:

• Visionary Leadership: Sets a clear and compelling vision for the bureau, driving transformative change with a focus on embedding, sustainability, climate action, and equity into all policies and practices. Promotes and maintains a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Equity and Inclusion: Brings a deep, demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social and environmental justice, with a proven track record of advancing equity in community planning, policy, and resource allocation, including a focus on systemic racism and its impacts on marginalized communities.
• Political Acumen: Navigates complex political landscapes, balancing diverse stakeholder interests and building consensus across political, community, and business sectors to advance progressive policies. Skilled in building and leveraging relationships with elected officials, advocacy groups, and government agencies to secure resources, influence policy decisions, and drive systemic change in alignment with long-term sustainability, equity, and climate-action goals.
• Strategic Thinking: Strategically balances short-term priorities with long-term goals for sustainability, community development, and climate resilience.
• Accountability and Transparency: Prioritizes transparency and demonstrates measurable outcomes through publicly accessible data.
• Innovation and Problem-Solving: Ability to innovate and find creative solutions to complex urban and environmental challenges including leveraging public-private partnerships and exploring entrepreneurial funding tools.
• Operational Excellence: Uses executive management skills to ensure the bureau operates efficiently and delivers results within budget and on schedule.
• Strategic Communication: Communicates effectively and presents complex issues to diverse audiences with clarity, integrity, and presence. Represents the City in public settings and advocates for the bureau’s priorities at local, regional, and national levels.

City of Portland Core Values: Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility

These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.
 
Questions? Please contact:

Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and résumé how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications:    

1. Experience leading and managing large, complex, and customer-focused planning, climate, community technology, waste and recycling, social justice, and/or community development initiatives, with a proven track record in overseeing financial administration and regulatory functions in both the public and private sectors.
2. Experience addressing social, political, economic, and environmental issues impacting urban planning and sustainability, and successfully developing long-range strategic plans and goals that incorporate climate resilience, social, racial, and economic justice, and community development.
3. Experience developing and maintaining effective relationships with communities of color, underserved populations, elected officials, community leaders, and internal stakeholders, ensuring inclusive participation and valuing diverse perspectives in decision-making processes.
4. Experience developing innovative programs and leveraging public-private partnerships and resources to advance sustainability and urban planning goals, fostering community revitalization, economic growth, and environmental justice.
5. Experience managing, coaching, and retaining a diverse workforce, while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational culture and community engagement efforts, ensuring compliance with laws, policies, and performance standards.
6. Knowledge of community and economic development principles, with the ability to assess the broader economic impact of city policies and regulations and implement strategies to foster community revitalization and long-term growth.

Although not required, you may have:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least ten (10) years of increasingly responsible management experience in urban planning, environmental science, public administration, or a closely related field.