Executive Director – Oregon Convention C…

**Salary displayed is the range for the position. Starting pay for this position is typically near the beginning of the pay range.

Successful leaders don’t rest on past accomplishments. They continually seek to engage, communicate, create and connect – to build forward momentum for organizations to become even greater. If this description describes and resonates with you, we’d like to hear from you.

Metro, the regionally elected government for the Portland, Oregon, tri-county metropolitan area, is seeking an Executive Director to oversee our Oregon Convention Center. The Oregon Convention Center (“OCC”) is managed among a family of Metro-owned and/or operated visitor venues, including the P’5 Centers for the Arts, the Portland Metropolitan Exposition Center and the Oregon Zoo.

The OCC Executive Director will bring exceptional leadership in the management of public facilities, a solid business background, sales and marketing expertise, entrepreneurial experience, a passion for sustainable operations, a commitment to advancing equity through leadership and management practices and proven performance as a motivator and team player to Metro’s visitor venue management team.

It is an exciting time at OCC! In partnership with Mortenson Development and Hyatt Corporation, construction of a 600-room Hyatt Regency Hotel at the center will begin this year. Construction of the hotel will attract more national conventions and lifestyle events, bring visitors to the area and create and sustain jobs – all of which will generate new and increased spending and revenues for the center and our community. Additionally, OCC is about to embark on a major renovation to upgrade exterior landscaping, entrances and interior finishes.

About the Oregon Convention Center

The Oregon Convention Center is the largest convention facility in the – Pacific Northwest, annually hosting over a half million visitors at roughly 500 events and contributing an average of over $700 million in regional economic impact each year. The industry leader for its sustainability practices, the OCC was the first in US to be both certified LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Existing Building) and recertified LEED-EB Silver. The facility is now certified LEED Platinum. In operation since 1990, the OCC has earned international recognition for numerous achievements and honors, including the prestigious Venue Excellence Award in 2010.

For more information about the Oregon Convention Center go to: http://www.oregoncc.org/

Application requirements

In addition to completing the electronic application and supplemental questions, please provide 1) Electronic application, 2) answer to supplemental questions, 3) resume and 4) cover letter describing your qualifications as they relate to the duties of this position.

Essential Job Duties:
An employee in this position must be able to perform all of the essential job duties listed below with or without reasonable accommodation; however, this list is not intended to include all of the specific tasks which an employee in this position may be expected to perform.

Reporting to the General Manager of Visitor Venues, the successful candidate will manage a highly skilled staff of professionals, serve on the Metro Senior Leadership Team, and interact with and serve as the primary representative to clients, appointed and elected officials, community partners and industry stakeholders.

The Executive Director is responsible for identifying, implementing, and directing business strategies that ensure sound, service-oriented day-to-day management, building maintenance and operations and long-term financial success while consistently attracting inter/national convention and meeting clients and exceeding visitor expectations.

Lead a management team, including sales/marketing, operations, events and guest services, and food/beverage services, to effectively staff and oversee the short and long-term development and maintenance of the Oregon Convention Center; direct and oversee budgeted capital construction projects; plan for and make financial and operational decisions to support long-term operational success of large, complex public assembly venues; and ensure that venue and infrastructure maintenance is consistent with all standards applicable to public assembly venues, such as, public safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

Partner with state and local convention and tourism bureaus, destination marketing organizations and/or association sales and management groups to build upon inter/national convention and meeting client base.

Work with other visitor venues and Metro departments to develop effective, long-term coordinated organizational strategies and plans to ensure business continuity.

Represent facility to other visitor venue facilities, departments, clients, elected officials, outside agencies and members of the community; serve as spokesperson to news media as directed by the General Manager; promote, explain and represent venue programs, policies, initiatives and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant and controversial issues.

This position provides essential support and specialized industry advice to the Metro Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC) and also represents the OCC and/or MERC as a member, active participant and leader among peers at the International Association of Venue Managers and/or other industry associations, including those pertaining to tourism, hospitality, destination marketing, association management and meeting planning.

Plan, organize, direct and evaluate the performance of managers, supervisors or leads reporting to the Executive Director and their assigned staff. Responsibilities include hiring, terminating, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving performance or other work-related issues.

Provide leadership and management oversight to address and accomplish established long-term goals, objectives and strategies related to programs and projects of the facility and/or the umbrella agency, Metro,; direct short and long-range plans to assure cost-effective and efficient operations; assess, review and manage the delivery systems throughout the facility to assure efficient and effective building services to clients and guests; assess needs and prioritize resources toward achieving department role and responsibilities.

Establish and maintain effective communications with and between the General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Metro Exposition Recreation Commission and Metro Council regarding strategic direction, performance, and progress of facility programs and projects.

Oversee and manage all accounts, contracts, labor and financial issues related to the facility and its various departments and divisions.

Promote respect for diversity, equity and inclusion as a key organizational value through leadership and decision making process.

Oversee and support OCC’s implementation of the Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

During the Hyatt Regency Hotel construction project, the Executive Director will provide oversight to pursue diversity goals for the project and ensure a continuous focus on providing job opportunities for women and people of color.

Become knowledgeable in Metro’s First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA)program in order to ensure economically disadvantaged residents living near the Oregon Convention Center have first opportunity to apply to positions at OCC and the Hyatt Regency Hotel project. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. This position falls under the Executive Director – OCC classification (click to read the full classification).

Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree with major course work in business administration, public administration, marketing, hospitality, or related field, and a minimum of eight (8) years of public assembly facility and/or hospitality management experience with a minimum of five (5) years in a senior management position, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training that would provide the knowledge, skill and ability required for the successful performance of the essential job duties may be considered. A candidate with public sector experience, specifically in a union environment is preferred.

Knowledge skills and abilities:
Proven record in effectively managing a public facility within the context of the convention/ exhibition/meeting, hospitality and/or tourism industries to consistently meet or exceed annual sales goals and building maintenance and operational standards.

Knowledge of fiscal management, including budget preparation and expenditure control; management theory and the principles and practices of supervision; and major business and specialized computer software programs.

Ability to build consensus among diverse groups; plan, organize and oversee assigned programs and projects; analyze and evaluate operations; and develop and implement corrective action.

Ability to communicate successfully with elected officials, the media, the public, and various interest groups regarding sensitive and/or complex issues. Knowledge and commitment to identifying, implementing and developing sustainable operational and business practices.

Knowledge of capital project development and management as it related to facility renovations, construction, equipment replacement and fiscal planning.

Knowledge of operational characteristics, services and activities of a convention center or similar facility.

Executive level knowledge of the principles and practices, and the legal requirements, regulations, and laws applicable to area of assigned responsibility.

Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.

Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, policies and regulations.

Excellent organizational, communication and leadership skills.

Strong analytical skills to evaluate plans, programs, policies and operations.

Skill in public speaking and presenting information and ideas to individuals and in group settings both internally and externally.

Ability to create and maintain a work environment that is inclusive of all aspects of diversity

Ability to advance equity through leadership and management practices

Ability to work effectively with computerized facility event management systems, and adapt quickly to system changes and updates.

Ability to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional and technical staff.

Ability to develop, implement and administer goals, objectives and procedures.

Ability to prepare and administer large and complex budgets and to allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.

Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with all levels of staff, other departments, Commission members, elected officials and outside stakeholders.

Ability to work various hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Additional Information:
Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.

Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources at 503-797-1570.

Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): New employees will pay the employee portion of the PERS contribution.

Representation/classification: This position not represented and is classified as an Executive Director – Oregon Convention Center.

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.

Criminal background check: In order to protect the wellbeing of its employees, the public and agency assets, Metro may conduct criminal background checks on candidates selected for Metro positions. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be considered on a case by case basis. A background check will only be conducted if you are selected as a finalist for a position. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted by Human Resources prior to the initiation of a background check.

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, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer