Today, the City of Portland officially began its search for its first long-term city administrator, marking a significant step in the city’s newly reformed government structure. The city administrator will manage an $8.6 billion budget and oversee approximately 6,800 public employees who provide essential services across four key areas: public safety, public works, community and economic development, and city operations. In addition to being Portland’s executive leader, the city administrator will also act as a key advisor to the mayor.
While the role of city administrator is common in many municipalities, it is a new position for Portland. In 2022, voters approved a major overhaul of the city’s leadership election process, decision-making, and service delivery. Under this new framework, an expanded city council is responsible for setting policy and engaging with constituents, while the mayor handles daily operations with the assistance of the city administrator.
The position offers a salary ranging from $284,000 to $393,000. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by September 25, when the review process will commence. The selection will involve multiple rounds of interviews with city leaders, staff, and community stakeholders.
Ultimately, the decision will rest with Portland’s mayor, Keith Wilson, who expects to select a city administrator this fall and present the candidate to the city council for confirmation, as mandated by the city charter. The aim is for the new city administrator to begin their role in late 2025 or early 2026.
The incoming city administrator will succeed Michael Jordan, who plans to retire at the end of this year after guiding the city through its governmental transition. During his tenure, Jordan has focused on restructuring the city’s organization, delivering the first budget under the new government framework, and developing new collaborative models for working with the city council.
