Chief Operations Officer

Metropolitan Public Defender; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 139,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or HSA

Life insurance

Short/Long-term Disability and AD&D

401(k) with 6% company match

PTO 24 hours upon hire, accrues up to

Holidays and Personal Equity Days

Mental Health Days

Sick Leave

Job summary

MPD, a nonprofit public defender organization in Portland, Oregon, seeks a Chief Operating Officer to oversee core internal operations, including finance, HR, IT, facilities, procurement, contracts and policy/data. The role reports to the Executive Director and drives strategic program implementation.

The position emphasizes leadership across departments, ensuring compliant, efficient daily operations and collaboration with department directors to meet organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in senior program management.
• Experience leading operations across finance, HR, IT and facilities.

Responsibilities

• Accounting/Finance: Monitor financial performance and ensure long-term viability.
• Accounting/Finance: Review payment requests and has signing authority.
• Accounting/Finance: Oversee procurement and contracts/grants.
• Human Resources: Monitor the department and contribute to personnel and risk management.
• Human Resources: Lead talent strategy and align recruitment, development, and performance with goals.
• Infrastructure: Oversee facilities, IT, case management systems and project management.
• Policy/Data: Lead internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance and risk management.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Financial oversight

HR leadership

IT & facilities oversight

Policy/data governance

Communication skills

Tools

ADP

NetSuite

Legal Server

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Chief Operations Officer

Executive Regular Full Time Senior Management Administration, Portland, OR, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1162

Salary Range: $139,319.40 To $175,887.66 Annually

MPD has been on the cutting edge of public defense since our inception in 1971. Formed as a non-profit law firm, MPD contracts with the State of Oregon for public defense services. MPD was the first public defender organization under this system. MPD is the largest single provider of trial level public defense services in the state of Oregon, with offices in both Multnomah and Washington counties.

Join our dynamic team and become part of MPD’s commitment to being a leader in public defense, which includes not just excellence in client representation, but a strong commitment to hiring and developing a professional staff of defenders. For more information on MPD and our work visit: www.mpdlaw.com

MPD is currently searching for a Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer will oversee core internal operational functions, including administrative systems, facilities, finance, human resources, infrastructure, information technology, and policy/data. This position will oversee procurement, State and County contracts, internal policies and procedures, and other projects as designated by the Executive Director. This position will also provide coordination for the Department Director teams and work with the Executive Director to implement programmatic strategies. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

This position pays $139,319.40 - $186,440.80 per year. Staff is an at-will employee. This is a full-time, in-office exempt position.

In addition to compensation, MPD also offers:

• Medical (choice of PPO or HDHP), Dental (choice of PPO Standard or PPO Enhanced) and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Basic Life, STD, LTD and AD&D – 100% employer paid
• 401(K) – MPD will contribute 6% of your annual salary with full vesting after the completion of 5 years of service
• PTO – 24 hours upon hire, accrues monthly up to 80 hours and increasing up to 120 hours starting at 24 months
• 10 paid holidays + 2 Personal Equity Days
• 4 Mental Health Days per year
• Sick Leave – 48 hours upon hire + accrues monthly after the completion of six months of employment

Duties/Responsibilities:

Accounting/Finance

• Monitor financial performance and ensure long-term viability through sound fiscal management.
• Review payment requests and has signing authority.
• Oversee procurement and contracts/grants.

Human Resources

• Monitor the department and contribute to personnel and risk management.
• Oversee talent strategy as a core enabler of program success, aligning recruitment, development, and performance management with organizational goals and fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and accountability.

Infrastructure

• Oversee facilities, information technology, case management systems, and other related areas including project management.

Policy/Data

• Lead and oversee internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance, risk management and coordination among departments. Assist in external policy development. Contribute to data collection and reporting.

Leadership

• Lead and partner with other department directors to ensure operations are functioning well and provide thought leadership and strategic guidance.
• Participate actively in management meetings, including formulation and implementation of goals and objectives.
• Ensure that MPD’s mission is being fulfilled through compliant, efficient, and well-managed daily operations.

Position Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, ADP, NetSuite, Legal Server or related software.
• Must have reliable transportation.

Position Preferences

• Experience in working public defense or comparable profession.
• Experience in senior program management.
• Experience in leadership/management in a direct services organization, particularly one with a complex array of programs.
• MPD fosters a work environment that is friendly, cooperative and respectful.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• This is an in-person/in office position.

Diversity and Inclusion:At MPD, we do not just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for all our staff.

MPD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, military status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law.

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 Human Resources in advance to request assistance.