Business Operations Manager

The City Auditor is hiring a Business Operations Manager to lead the Operations Management Division and oversee human resources, budget and finance, and procurement functions. The Division's work includes budgeting, accounting, procurement, personnel-related activities, Human Resources policy development and administrative rule-making, and other administrative services.

The Auditors Office ensures open and accountable government by conducting impartial audits, investigations, and hearings and providing access to public information. It employs 47 full-time equivalent staff who work in seven divisions at three downtown locations: City Hall, the 1900 Building, and Portland Archives & Records Center. The Business Operations Manager supports the elected Auditor and Management Team and employees in the delivery of the Offices unique accountability and transparency services. The Auditor is directly elected by Portland voters and is independent from City Council, the Mayor, and the Citys leadership team. The Office has authority to set human resources policies and administrative rules for carrying out its duties.

The Auditors Office values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to foster a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion in delivering public services and everyday interactions in the workplace. The Auditor encourages candidates with experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply.

Successful candidates will have:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, including human resource management, procurement, and public records management.
• Knowledge of operations and functions associated with public-sector financial management, budgeting, and business operations issues and challenges.
• A desire to contribute to the teams effort as a working manager, leading human resource policy development and implementation and budget development and monitoring.
• Knowledge of project management and internal control principles and practices.
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility in problem-solving for complex or sensitive issues and problems.
• Ability to manage a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and;
• Ability to use the Citys enterprise software systems (namely BFM and SAP) and general office software.

Candidates must have any combination of education and experience equivalent to the following:

• Bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, human resources or related field .

AND

• Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience developing, implementing, and managing programs, projects, or personnel functions within an organizational unit, including two (2) years in a supervisory role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Management experience working for a public agency, preferably as a manager of a division, office, or a director or executive of a bureau, department or organization.
• Experience developing and implementing Human Resources policies or administrative rules.
• Experience with financial management and budget strategy and development at a public agency.

TO APPLY:

Submit three documents:

(1) A resume

List professional and other relevant experience and education.

(2) A cover letter

Describe how you meet the minimum qualifications below, which will be the basis on which a list of candidates eligible for an interview will be developed. Where possible, connect items from your resume to demonstrate how you meet these qualifications. It is advised that you use the numbered list in your letter to ensure you respond to each item. Skipping any of the items or failing to demonstrate how you meet them will disqualify your application from further consideration, so please complete the cover letter with care.

Minimum qualifications for cover letter (Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of organizational design and development, operational and strategic planning, public administration, and budget preparation and administration.
2. Knowledge of principles of management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
3. Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances, and the ability to analyze, interpret, explain, and apply them.
4. Ability to apply analytic and problem-solving skills to independently develop sound decisions, conclusions, and recommendations.
5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively to elected and appointed public leaders or officials.
6. Ability to manage a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices in support of the Offices services.
7. Ability to use City-specific technology (e.g. SAP) and general office software.

(3) A brief writing exercise

In addition to the cover letter and resume, please submit an essay (one page or less) describing 1) your experiences or participation with any of the following, and 2) what you learned from them:

• exposure to racial inequities and actions you took to help resolve them;
• steps taken to make workplaces and/or public spaces inclusive;
• experiences as a member of a historically underrepresented group in government decision-making;
• experiences living, working with, and/or interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities; OR
• experiences ensuring equitable and inclusive workplace operations and/or program outcomes.

If your experiences are different from those listed and you have a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, please explain how you will manifest that commitment in this position.

Applicants must submit their resume, cover letter, and writing exercise through the City of Portland's online application system no later than 11:59 p.m. on the closing date. Emailed, mailed, or faxed applications will not be accepted. Please do not include materials not requested.

Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

Applications accepted: July 21 August 11, 2025

Applications reviewed: August 12 22, 2025

First interviews: August 25 29, 2025

Second interviews: September 2 4, 2025

Job offered: September 12, 2025

Interview Accommodations

All candidates in consideration for any role can request accommodations throughout the application and scheduling process. If selected for an interview, you will be presented with the option to request a reasonable accommodation. A reasonable accommodation includes any adjustment or change to the application or hiring process, the way the job is done or to the work environment that allows a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of that job and enjoy equal employment opportunities.

Examples of reasonable accommodations during the interview process include (but are not limited to):

• Breaks during the interview
• Sign language interpreter
• Closed captioning turned on during virtual interviews
• If feasible, the option of an in-person vs virtual interview
• Interview questions printed out for the interview, or posted on screen if virtual

Additional Information

Salary range/Pay equity: Per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, individual salaries are determined based on the experience and education listed in a candidates resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure an offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.

Language pay differential: Auditors Office employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive additional compensation if they qualify and use their language skills to assist the community.

Employee benefits: The City of Portland is committed to offering medical, dental, vision, basic life, and long-term disability coverage that provides quality care, support and value to eligible employees and their family members. Additional benefits such as flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance and employee assistance program coverage are available to ensure employees have the appropriate tools to safeguard themselves and their family. The City of Portland participates in PERS, the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System. Find more information on the City of Portland's benefits here: .

Civil Service: This position is in the Classified Service and subject to Civil Service provisions. It also is subject to the Human Resources Administrative Rules for the Auditors Office, City Charter, and Code.

Work status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

Work location: The position is based in City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave. The Auditors Office is currently operating in a hybrid schedule of in-person and remote work.

Veterans preference: If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of your DD214 and/or Veteran's Administration letter stating your disability to your profile (if applicable), as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veteran's Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for. Veteran's Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

Equal employment opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.

Disability, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability, are pregnant or nursing, or observe a religious practice(s) and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, contact Title II Coordinator, Arianna Gazca, at ... .

Technical assistance: If you have questions about how to apply or require any assistance in submitting your application, please contact Administrative Specialist Andrew Bryans at ... .

For more information about the Auditors Office, visit: