National Executive Search for Prosper Portland’s Next Executive Director

Executive Director

Contact information

Description

The Opportunity

Purpose of the Position

The Executive Director, at the direction of the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners, leads Portland’s economic and urban development agency. This position oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of the agency’s strategic priorities and stewards the agency’s financial and personnel resources in a manner that reflects the agency’s values, honors the public trust, and leads the agency into the future and the next phase of tax increment investment in the city.

The Executive Director heads the agency and oversees all strategies, programs, and operations, ensuring a results-based view of the impact invested resources. As an unofficial member of the City of Portland’s Community & Economic Development service area leadership team, the Executive Director also serves as the agency ambassador and representative to the public and throughout the world. This position leads Prosper Portland’s Executive Team with thoughtful leadership, an unwavering commitment to closing racial disparities, and works with partners across the agency and throughout the region to support inclusive development and economic growth.

Functions and Responsibilities

• Develops strategies for and oversees the agency’s operations, including programmatic, financial, budgetary, policy, and legal matters that advance the agency’s mission to create economic growth and opportunity.
• Leads implementation of the City’s economic development plan, Advance Portland.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight of economic development functions to drive quality job creation, deliver the City’s traded sector business retention, expansion and recruitment activities, and positions the city as a competitive and business location with an emphasis on target industry clusters, inclusive growth, and small business support.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight of real estate development and agency investments of tax increment revenue in order to support: transformational projects, healthy, inclusive, and vibrant districts; access to financial resources for business and property owners; and an innovative, financially sustainable agency.
• Ensures advancement of redevelopment projects, district-scale public-private partnerships, loan and grant programs, asset management, and infrastructure investments to support a thriving city.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight of internal administrative services and operations to support an effective organization through robust policies and procedures; competent fiscal management; budget preparation and oversight; procurement of goods and services; risk management; human resources and labor relations; information technology systems; records management; and related compliance.
• Oversees and supports a diverse, highly motivated, and primarily represented workforce, and an inclusive and collaborative workplace. Leads, empowers, and mentors direct reports; leads agency in a collaborative manner; manages direct reports’ performance; supports staff development across the agency, and unlocks their innovative potential.
• Oversees and implements plan for the long-term future and financial sustainability of the agency. Monitors agency financials, outcomes, and performance metrics to ensure accountability and effective management of resources.
• Directs, leads and accounts for internal and external equity goals; serves as a member and champion of the Prosper Portland’s Equity Council. Cultivates authentic relationships with community members and private sector partners to ensure inclusive and transparent public engagement and access in Prosper Portland’s projects and programs.
• Defines, strengthens, and invests in local and national strategic partnerships that enhance the impact of the agency’s work e.g., city, regional, and state agencies; elected officials; city directors; and business and community associations. Serves as the agency ambassador and represents Prosper Portland on committees, tasks forces, press and public relations matters, at events, and with other organizations.
• Develops productive connections to the various business, communities and partners impacted by agency work and oversees agency’s political strategy, building broad coalitions, and working closely with partners to support the advancement of shared goals. Works collaboratively with state legislative and congressional delegation regarding laws and regulations that impact agency activities.
• Communicates regularly with Prosper Portland Commissioners, Mayor, City Administrator, and City Council members to ensure that appropriate information is provided and guidance received on Prosper Portland matters. Briefs and assists Commissioners on matters requiring Board action; seek Commission guidance and/or authorization and approval on organizational and project-related issues.
• Leads and/or supports the agency with special projects and other relevant duties that advance Prosper Portland mission and strategic priorities.

Scope

• Provides leadership and overall strategic direction to the entire agency.
• Provides direct supervision, mentorship and management of department directors and executive administrative staff.
• Exercises astute judgment and political acumen within multifaceted and changing legal, political, and governmental environments.
• Makes decisions on organizational structure, priorities and resources for wide range of program and departmental needs necessitating substantial judgment and discretion.
• Accountable for internal and external affairs of the agency, including leading the development of organization-wide policies and objectives, budget development and oversight, project/program delivery, real estate asset management, compliance with internal and external policies and procedures, and ethical and legal conduct of staff.
• Leads the Executive Team including in supporting, developing, and achieving Prosper Portland’s equity objectives.
• Manages and motivates the agency, ensuring an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Routinely represents and speaks for the agency in public settings and with the media, including in negotiations with external parties.
• Controls sensitive/confidential information, requiring discretion, high levels of tact, and confidentiality.
• Executes contracts with signature authority up to and including $500,000.

The Candidate

Excellence, Innovation & Learning

• Knowledge:
  • Advanced knowledge of economic development to support inclusive economic growth; property redevelopment to advance equity and create vibrant places; and public sector management to achieve financial goals and demonstrate accountability.
  • Knowledge of best practices and tools to embed racial equity within policies and projects.
• Industry Awareness and Expertise:
  • Knowledge of regional economic trends and challenges, policy impacts on economic growth, relevant economic indicators and regulatory requirements, and real estate development, public/private partnerships, and portfolio management strategies.
  • Maintains close awareness of shifts and nuances and adapts strategies based on insights and outcomes.
• Strategy Development and Implementation:
  • Demonstrated ability to identify and anticipate future trends and challenges, apply technical expertise and leadership acumen to define strategies, and deploy resources to activate strategies.
  • Ability to lead the creation of multifaceted plans that advance complex economic development concepts or that further complex real estate development and transactions.
• Planning and Organization:
  • Advanced ability to plan and manage key strategic initiatives. Ability to provide strategic direction. Ability to develop and oversee complex budgets.
  • Exercises sound decision-making on organizational, policy, political, financial, and interpersonal issues, including the ability to apply creative and innovative solutions
• Accountability:
  • Takes initiative and responsibility for actions and outcomes. Leads a culture of accountability through influence, alignment, and systems to generate outcomes across executive team members, management, and both the represented and non-represented workforce. Follows through on commitments and meets deadlines. Maintains a high level of confidentiality.

Putting People First, Inclusion & Collaboration

• Interpersonal Skills:
  • Advanced ability to establish and cultivate authentic and effective working relationships and partnerships. Exercises active listening, tact, patience, diplomacy, discretion, and political awareness. Ability to build trust and inspire confidence.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving:
  • Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with others. Strong negotiation skills and problem solving. Ability to manage people, coalitions, and operate at the technical detail level with strong understanding of the big picture. Resolves conflict and builds consensus.
• Leadership:
  • Advanced leadership skills with the ability to develop a collaborative team environment. Ability to coalesce, motivate, and empower a team. Ability to effectively manage staff performance and invest in staff development.
• Communication:
  • Exemplary verbal and written communication skills. Advanced ability to speak and present in public. Utilizes strategic messaging, facilitation, persuasion skills, and media relations skills. Bilingual or multilingual a plus.
• Cultural Curiosity and Reflection:
  • Ability to learn and use culturally responsive practices to understand, communicate, and work with people across cultures and identities. Honors and embraces differences and models inclusivity in interactions and decisions.
• Advancing Equity:
  • Ability to lead and advance racial equity initiatives. Actively embeds equity in strategy and practice. Ability to lead others in learning, understanding, and applying the principles and practices of equity to work.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience

• Ten years of experience in public administration management, public policy, redevelopment, economic development, or equivalent experience. A minimum of five years of management experience in a relevant field, including comparable private sector experience. Demonstrated success advancing racial equity within community development, public/private partnerships, public policy, or equivalent field. Relevant private sector experience preferred. Experience raising investment capital preferred.

Working Conditions

• Normal working hours Monday through Friday [8 AM – 5 PM] in a combination of in-person and remote work; however, additional hours will regularly be needed to meet deadlines. Early morning, evening, and weekend meetings are necessary. Position will often travel to external meetings, properties, or events and may occasionally travel out of the metro area. Assigned work is often politicized, shifting, and complex, which sometimes necessitates working under stressful conditions. Position will be expected to engage in conversation and personal reflection around race, racism, and equity.

Compensation

• Pay Grade: NR28 ($187,000 – $272,000)

Benefits

• Health Insurance – Medical, RX, Dental and Vision Coverage (Prosper Portland pays 95% of premiums and employee pays 5%), Flexible Spending Plans, PERS/OPSRP (Public Employees Retirement System/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan), Paid Time Off (varies based on length of service-15 days per year to start), Paid Sick Leave (110.5 hours per year), Paid Jury Duty Leave, Paid Bereavement Leave, Paid Military Leave, Short-Term Disability Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment and other supplemental benefits, Deferred Compensation (457 Plan administered by VOYA), Employee Assistance Program, Transit Subsidy, Bike/Walk Subsidy, IT Equipment Reimbursement, Cell Phone Reimbursement, Performance-Based Merit Leave, Years of service Merit Leave, and Education Fund.