Director, Program ​/ Project Manager, Government

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.

The Metro Housing Director leads the implementation and oversight of regional initiatives to address the rising gap in affordable housing and the increasing number of housing insecure and homeless residents. At a time when housing affordability, homelessness, and public accountability are at the forefront of regional priorities, this role offers a rare opportunity to shape policy, steward major public resources, and deliver lasting impact for residents.

The 2018 Affordable Housing Bond and the 2020 Supportive Housing Services measure work together to provide homes for households with low incomes, along with programs and services to prevent or end episodes of homelessness. This senior‑level role oversees the fiscal and programmatic integrity of these investments, collaborating closely with local government partners and other key stakeholders to create equitable housing and homelessness solutions for the region.

This highly visible and politically sensitive role requires exceptional judgment, integrity, and a demonstrated commitment to public service, good governance, and advancing equitable outcomes. The Director oversees complex programmatic and operational functions, applying analytical rigor and sound decision‑making to ensure public investments improve outcomes and reduce disparities in alignment with voter intent. They are accountable for developing policy, allocating resources, and setting clear strategic direction while balancing competing priorities, navigating shared authority, and fostering collaboration across departments, jurisdictions, and external stakeholders.

This leader must bring high emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex political and interpersonal dynamics in an environment where needs far exceed available resources, priorities compete, and racial disparities continue to grow. They must communicate with clarity and purpose, manage conflict constructively, and build trust across diverse stakeholders while making difficult, equity‑informed tradeoffs. As a trusted advisor and problem‑solver, the Director applies strategic insight, creativity, and sound judgment to navigate high‑stakes decisions, strengthen relationships, and deliver sustainable outcomes that advance the public interest and reduce disparities over time.

This is more than a department director role—it is a chance to shape the future of housing stability and homelessness response for the region. The Director of Housing will help ensure that public investments deliver real, measurable outcomes, strengthen trust in government, and improve the lives of thousands of residents. As the region looks ahead to potential new funding measures and evolving community needs, this leader will be central to charting a path forward.

• Lead the regional implementation of large‑scale housing and homelessness investments, ensuring alignment with voter intent, policy goals, fiscal requirements, and equity commitments.
• Translate policy direction into clear strategies, frameworks, and accountability systems that guide program delivery across multiple jurisdictions.
• Assess progress, identify system challenges, and support course corrections to improve outcomes over time.

• Serve as a key policy advisor to elected officials and executive leadership on housing affordability and homelessness trends, needs, and solutions.
• Help prepare the organization and region for future ballot measures or funding initiatives, including long‑range planning, stakeholder engagement, and implementation readiness.

• Provide executive oversight of departmental operations, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and procurement activities.
• Steward hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds with rigor, transparency, and accountability, working closely with local implementation partners.
• Est…