Job Details

Deputy Director

If you are an experienced leader that enjoys solving complex problems and building diverse coalitions to strategically move an organization forward, the Deputy Director position with the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System may be the position for you!

The Public Employees Retirement System is recruiting for one (1) Deputy Director (Deputy/Chief 5) position.

This is a full-time, limited duration position for a short-term transition period and is expected to become permanent on or after 1/1/2026. This is a hybrid position based at our headquarters in Tigard, Oregon, and the successful candidate may need to work 1-2 days in the office depending on the weekly business need. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy. This position is an executive service supervisory position and is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement.

The mission of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) is to serve the people of Oregon by administering public employee benefit trusts to pay the right person the right benefit at the right time.

The Legislature established PERS, the agency, to administer the retirement system in partnership with approximately 900 public employers, including school districts, special districts, cities, counties, community colleges, universities, and state agencies. PERS is required to administer the retirement system for participating public employers and must follow all relevant state and federal laws when determining and administering benefits. PERS engages with more than 415,000 current and former public employees or their beneficiaries and maintains important data about their public employment service, salaries, and other information. PERS also administers a health insurance program for retirees (PERS Health Insurance Program) and a 457(b) voluntary deferred compensation program (Oregon Savings Growth Plan).

Director's Office

The Director's Office is responsible for duties assigned by the legislature or delegated by the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Board and assures that the system meets its planned goals and objectives; conducts its business on a sound and prudent basis within the scope of current Board policy. This work includes representing PERS to the system membership, state, local, and federal government agencies and bodies, other retirement systems, the news media, and the general public.

Central Administration

Central Administration provides enabling services necessary to achieve the agency's key goals in support of the Agency's mission, vision, and core values and operating principles. Services from Central Administration are provided to all departments in the agency. Central Administration supports the Director's Office and other key areas and plays a key role in making and implementing critical agency decisions.

What you will be doing

The primary purpose of the Deputy Director is to oversee, plan, approve and administer the policies and procedures for the following areas of operations: communications, human resources, and central business support.

In the absence of the Director, this position is accountable for assuming the Director's duties including those assigned by the Governor, PERS Board and/or legislature. At the statewide enterprise level, the Deputy Director implements strategies, goals and objectives mandated by the Governor, PERS Board, legislature, state and federal law, and state policy. The Deputy understands, supports, and actively participates in decision-making and consensus driven activities at the statewide level and represents the agency at a variety of public sector work groups or forums.

What Are We Looking For?

Minimum Qualifications

Six (6) years of management experience in a public or private organization which included responsibility for each of the following: (a) development of program rules and policies, (b) development of long- and short-range goals and plans, (c) program evaluation, and (d) budget preparation.

Preferred Attribute: Minimum 2 years of Executive experience.

Candidates who are the most competitive will possess the following skills, background, and areas of experience:

• Leadership experience working with executives and board members, combined with a strong business acumen.
• Strategic thinking with excellent problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and oral and written communications skills. Ability to disaggregate strategies into divisional tactics and operational goals.
• Experience leading enabling business units (Human Resources, Communications, Procurements, Facilities, etc.) and an active learner who continually evaluates best practices that may have a positive impact on achieving results that matter to PERS.
• Experience building a coalition of diverse stakeholders and the ability to navigate complex socio-political contexts and solicit and value diverse viewpoints.
• Experience analyzing complex and sensitive issues and situations, identifying alternative solutions, and forecasting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of strategic organizational goals, plans and policies.
• Ability to collaborate across organizations and work together to streamline systems and services across multiple communities and programs.
• Strong knowledge of the principles and process of budgeting and financial management as it relates to agency planning and program delivery.
• Experience promoting a culturally competent and diverse work environment that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution.
• Knowledge of public pension system governance and retiree pension and health administration would be an asset.

Benefits of Working for the State of Oregon & the Public Employees Retirement System

Our team focuses closely on collaboration to support fellow teammates, while ensuring safety and looking for ways to innovate. Additional benefits include:

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.
• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.
• Hybrid work option.

Application Instructions & Requirements

Current State of Oregon Employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.

External Applicants: Apply via the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage.

• Fill out the application or submit a resume. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume should include the beginning and end dates (mm/dd/yyyy) for each employer.
• Attach a cover letter. In your cover letter, please make sure that you clearly explain, in detail, how your previous experiences make you the best candidate for the role of Deputy Director. Be sure to clearly state how your experience aligns with the desired attributes and, where applicable, give concrete examples of how you have experience in fulfilling the responsibilities of this role. Your cover letter should be a maximum of two pages.
• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are an employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will come before the public records request and gender identity questionnaire tasks.

Additional Details:

• Visa Sponsorship: Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three (3) days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.
• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources, or call Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-###-####. NOTE: If claiming veterans' preference please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your "My Applications" section.
• The information in your application will be used to complete a pay equity assessment to determine salary placement upon hire. Please see the link here to our Pay Equity Project.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%.
• Finalists may be subject to a criminal history check. Criminal records are compared against the needs of the position and if found to conflict then may lead to disqualification.
• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

Learn more about PERS

Learn more about Oregon

For additional information you may contact the recruiter by e-mail at ...@pers.oregon.gov or by phone at 503-###-####.

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