Portland Permitting & Development Director
Permitting & Development Director (Director II)
City of Portland| Portland Permitting & Development
Job Location: In-person based at 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Portland, OR 97201
Compensation: $176,862 - $ 257,004
Motus Recruiting and Staffing is proud to partner with the City of Portland in its executive search for a Permitting & Development Director (Director II).
ABOUT THE PORTLAND PERMITTING & DEVELOPMENT:
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
OVERVIEW OF PERMITTING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR:
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.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PERMITTING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR:
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Oversee permitting, inspections, development review, and compliance processes
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Guide implementation and enforcement of building and land use codes
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Lead strategic planning, change management, and modernization efforts
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Promote a culture of equity, innovation, and continuous improvement
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Manage a $80M budget with fiscal responsibility and transparency
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Collaborate with other bureaus to ensure coordinated citywide permitting
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Represent PP&D before City Council, media, and in public forums
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Foster strong relationships with community members and stakeholders
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Lead efforts to improve digital systems and service responsiveness
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PERMITTING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR:
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10+ years leading complex permitting or development organizations
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Degree in urban planning, public administration, or related field preferred
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Demonstrated success embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into operations and policy
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Strategic leadership experience in civic or public-sector transformation
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Skilled in change management, organizational development, and innovation
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Strong background in stakeholder engagement and inclusive community processes
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Expertise in land use policy, environmental regulations, and urban development
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Collaborative leader who can build consensus across bureaus and communities
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Commitment to public service, transparency, and cultural competency
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Familiarity with Portland’s zoning history and its impacts on communities of color is strongly valued
About Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc.
Founded in 2006, Motus is an award-winning recruiting and staffing firm in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in professional services and technology solutions. We are a group of people who not only recognize the importance of representation, but actively fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process. Our goal is to educate organizations on the importance of DEI when hiring, promoting, and supporting diverse employees. We are calling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to DEI by being intentional about who they hire.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.
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