Senior Project Manager chez Oregon Metro

About the Department

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

Metro’s Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and highly organized professional to join our Strategic Initiatives team as a Senior Project Manager.

This role supports high priority, cross-functional initiatives critical to Metro’s future, ranging from urgent deliverables to long-term transformational efforts. It’s designed for someone who thrives in complexity and understands how systems, people, and decisions intersect.

You’ll partner closely with senior leaders and teams across the agency to bring clarity to ambiguity, translate analysis into executive-level briefings, and help navigate cross-functional challenges. Strong collaboration and trust-building, with both internal and external stakeholders, is core to the role.  

If you’re known for your judgment, calm presence, and ability to synthesize complexity into actionable next steps – we’d love to hear from you.

 As a Senior Project Manager on our team you will:

• Develop and maintain project workplans and timelines for complex, high-priority initiatives.
• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration, surface risks and help resolve issues that span across teams or functions.
• Analyze and synthesize information to align projects with agency priorities and deliver actionable recommendations.
• Oversee consultant scopes of work, deliverables, and contracts, ensuring alignment with agency goals.
• Design and facilitate stakeholder engagement strategies that reflect Metro’s values and embed diversity, equity and inclusion best practices.
• Translate complex information into clear reports, updates, and executive-ready presentations.
• Ensure equity considerations are integrated into project planning, decision-making frameworks, and communications strategies.

Attributes for success:

• Strong project management experience, including scoping, planning, and execution.
• Proven ability to distill complexity into clear, actionable insights for executives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages to different audiences.
• Skilled facilitator who can support collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• Systems thinker who can navigate ambiguity, navigates cross-organizational impacts, and raise risks early.
• Resourceful, with strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate sensitive or confidential matters.
• Commitment to Metro’s values of public service, racial equity, and organizational effectiveness.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action 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 in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or professional certifications in related field, and, either a related advanced degree or professional certification and
• Six years of directly related and progressively responsible experience, or
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.

Working conditions

This position requires the ability to perform activities necessary to complete the essential functions of the job, either with or without reasonable accommodation. Duties are primarily performed in an office environment, while sitting at a desk or computer. 

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply 

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.  

Hybrid Telework 
At this time, this position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The manager will work with you to identify a schedule that balances the operational needs of the department and your needs. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. 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. 

• Experience managing or coordinating high-visibility, cross-functional initiatives in a complex organization.
• Familiarity with public sector, nonprofit, or mission-driven environments, including working with executive teams or elected officials.  
• Experience designing or implementing strategic communication and/or stakeholder engagement strategies that center equity, inclusion, and transparency.
• Training in human-centered design or facilitation approaches that support inclusive planning and problem-solving.
• Training or certifications in project management or change management.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A resume that includes the following details for each employer:
  • Name of employer, 
  • Working title,  
  • Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time, 
  • Number of employees supervised, if applicable,
  • Summary of your responsibilities
• A one page cover letter addressing the following:
  • Why you are interested in this position and what draws you to Metro’s mission, values, or work
  • How do your experience, skills, or approaches align with the responsibilities and qualities we’re seeking in this role
  • What perspectives or strengths would you bring to the team
• Complete responses to the additional supplemental questions 

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $105,734.64 to step 7: $141,694.69 annually. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $105,734.64 to the equity range step 4: $122,401.66 annually.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Senior Program Analyst position.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann

Email: [email protected]

Other Qualifications

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
 

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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Metro 

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.