McDermott & Bull has been exclusively retained by the Portland Development Commission (PDC), Portland’s urban renewal and economic development agency, to find its next Executive Director.

PDC has played a major role in making Portland one of America’s most livable cities. PDC investments have given Portland many of its most iconic places, from Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland’s “living room”, to the Eastbank Esplanade along the Willamette River, to the Pearl District, one of the most vibrant downtown neighborhoods in the country.  Today the agency’s focus encompasses working directly with communities to create more widely-shared prosperity for all residents of Portland.

PDC’s accomplishments have contributed to a city that’s nationally recognized as an incredible place to live and one of the most innovative cities in the U.S. (CNN Money).

Parks and nature abound, as do books and beer. It’s bikeable, busable, walkable, drivable, beautiful, creative and casual. The food is fantastic. Good coffee is everywhere.  Nationally, It’s a top 10 city for fiscal fitness, family safety, and lack of stress (Sperling’s Best Places); it’s Forbes’ #3 pick among Best Places for Business and Careers.

The next PDC Executive Director has a rare opportunity: to guide the city in its aspirations and steer Portland’s course toward becoming one of the most competitive, equitable, and healthy cities in the world.

The PDC Executive Director represents the agency as a member of the Mayor’s portfolio of city bureaus and ensures accountability to the public and City Council. The successful candidate will be instrumental in realizing Portland’s distinctive vision to create equality, economic growth, and opportunity for all Portlanders.

Essential functions of this role include but are not limited to:

1) Leading implementation of PDC’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan which places broadly shared prosperity and equity as the agency’s central goals over the next five years.

2) Overseeing all aspects of agency operations, including programmatic, financial, budgetary, systems and legal matters.

3) Serving as champion of PDC’s internal and external equity goals as well as convener and leader of the PDC Board-approved PDC Equity Council.

4) Guiding staff through the planning and implementation of redevelopment and economic development projects and programs in a manner that benefits all Portlanders.

5) Ensuring that open and transparent community engagement practices are utilized for all PDC work.

6) Taking direct action to secure the long term future and financial sustainability of the agency.

To apply in confidence, please submit your resume and cover letter electronically at: steven@mbsearch.com