Continuous Improvement Manager - Office of the COO

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity. Pay Range: $85,774.23 - $131,454.21 Annual Department: County Chair Job Type: Regular Non-Represented Exemption Status: United States of America (Exempt) Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): April 19, 2026 The Opportunity: Overview Multnomah County is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to promote Multnomah County's commitment to operational excellence and strategic advancement within the office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Continuous Improvement Manager is a member of the County’s new SPARK (Strategic Planning, Performance, Agility, Reinvention and Knowledge) Unit. In the Office of the Chief Operating Officer and under the supervision of the Director of Strategic Initiatives, the SPARK Unit will be the catalyst for countywide transformation, driving strategic focus, continuous improvement and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our communities. Building on the work of the updated mission, vision and values, the unit will develop a countywide strategic plan in partnership with County departments with an emphasis on key performance indicators and a one-county view. Who we are seeking: You're a leader, self-starter, with keen attention to detail, a dedicated work ethic and project management in your DNA. You’re an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, and have a desire to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. Unflappable, you are able to keep yourself solutions oriented and collaborative in your focus - even when the demands from multiple projects get complex. You’re the person who can communicate challenges into opportunities and influence others to get on board. As a motivated and high energy change agent, you lead with humility, engender trust and value service to others. This individual champions process improvement and efficiency across the County, utilizing expertise in process improvement methodologies, such as Lean, TPS and Six Sigma, tailoring the approach to the needs of a given project and the values of Multnomah County. The Continuous Improvement Manager will collaborate with diverse teams in support of the Countywide Strategic Plan, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, reduce waste and optimize service delivery for the community. In partnership with the Evaluation and Research Unit, the role uses data analysis to evaluate progress toward outcomes, assists in turning County strategic goals into actionable metrics and formulating strategies to improve business processes and enhance productivity. The responsibilities of this role: Continuous Improvement One County Operating System Design: Lead a group of SME’s in the design, testing and implementation of the One County Operating System (Strategic Planning system, Work Design system, Improvement system and Leadership Development system). Process Improvement Leadership: Lead project teams in the analysis, mapping, and redesign of existing processes, applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other appropriate methodologies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and quality. Data-Driven Analysis: Gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify root causes of inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and service delivery challenges. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate effectively with County departments, staff at all levels, and external stakeholders to understand operational needs, facilitate process improvement workshops, and build consensus on approaches and solutions. Change Management: Guide teams through the implementation of process changes, providing training, coaching, and project management support to ensure successful adoption and sustainability. Knowledge Sharing: Develop and deliver training materials on process improvement methodologies, tools, and best practices to build capacity within the County. Strategy Support Strategic Planning: Support the Director of Strategic Initiatives, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Operating Officer with Countywide priorities, including the development of a new strategic planning process. Strategic Alignment: Contribute to the development and execution of the Multnomah County Strategic Plan by ensuring that process improvement initiatives support the county's overall goals and objectives. Metrics and Reporting: Recommend and assist in the design of countywide performance metrics, tied to the goals set in the strategic plan. Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of process improvement initiatives, reporting on results to the Director of Strategic Initiatives and other County leadership. COO Team Projects: Other COO Team projects as assigned. About us: Multnomah County, the most populous county in Oregon, is home to over 800,000 residents and responsible for providing a wide array of services to our diverse communities in an equitable and inclusive way. At the County, we operate to foster safety, trust and belonging for our community throughout the work, services, and programs we provide. In order for our employees to best serve the people, we recognize that as an organization, we must cultivate a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion - fostering a workplace where all staff can flourish and grow professionally and personally. The 2024-2028 Workforce Equity Strategic Plan was unanimously approved by the Board on March 14, 2024. This renewal of equity efforts builds on the infrastructure, practices and other improvements established in accordance with the first plan. To Qualify We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: A Bachelor's Degree - in lieu of a degree, will we consider equivalent years of related experience Three (3) to six (6) years of increasingly responsible leadership experience, including at least two (2) years of senior level consulting experience or project management Knowledge of principles and practices of administration in the public sector including methods used in project management, policy analysis and strategic planning Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills. Ability to interact and work with a diverse group of people at all levels of the organization Knowledge and understanding of equity and empowerment frameworks for policy, program and organizational decision-making Ability to analyze and make sound recommendations on highly complex and sensitive County issues Ability to create and present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively in meetings and before internal and external groups Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex situations Ability to work under tight deadlines and multiple competing priorities *Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position. Screening and Evaluation The Application Packet: Your completed application must include the following items: A completed online application. A resume that contains your relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, and if applicable the number of employees under your supervision. A cover letter that expands on your resume and addresses Why you are interested in this position and; Demonstrates how your experience and skill set aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed. Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, addressing how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualification listed, as these materials may be scored and determine if you move forward in the process. The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows: Initial review of minimum qualifications: We may do an additional preferred review, phone screen, and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified. Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position. Reference / Background Checks: All finalists must pass professional reference checks and some departments may require a criminal records check. Additional Details This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions. Unclassified Position: This is an executive unclassified position. Unclassified employees serve at the pleasure of the Department Director and may be subject to discharge at any time. This salaried position is exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Hybrid Telework: This position can be designated as “hybrid telework”, which allows the capability of working both remotely (from home) and in the office at least three days per week. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is the Multnomah Building: 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214. Schedule: Monday - Friday; There may be some flexibility with scheduling, and daily start and end times. Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range. Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website. In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials. Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals. Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply. Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711. Questions? Recruiter: Jessi Rhodes Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (971) 8650407 Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice. Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. Job Profile: 9714 - Management Analyst Senior Current Multnomah County employees must apply within Workday We're glad you are considering a career that gives back and supports the community. Working for Multnomah County means having the opportunity to make a real difference in the community, no matter what position you hold. We provide a wide array of essential services including health, community justice, roads, elections, libraries, jails, bridges, tax and assessment, marriage licenses, animal services, mental health and addiction services and more. Our organization’s top priority is to meet the many needs of our residents. Learn more about who we are, what we do, and why it matters. Veterans The Selection Process Jobs Home Interns