Assistant General Counsel

The Position

The Port of Portland is hiring an Assistant General Counsel!

At the Port of Portland, the work we do moves our region forward. Our Legal Department plays an important role in making that work possible. This team provides practical, thoughtful legal guidance while helping the Port manage risk, navigate public-sector requirements, and deliver on its mission of shared prosperity.

As Assistant General Counsel , you'll be a hands-on legal partner focused on the contracts and procurement work at the heart of the Port's operations. You'll dig into the details of complex agreements, draft and negotiate terms, advise on solicitations and public contracting requirements, and work alongside business partners to find solutions that work. The work spans construction, professional services, goods and services, technology, and other commercial-style agreements, all within the unique legal landscape of a public agency. In addition, you'll continuously look to improve and streamline Port contracting processes, including creating toolkits, playbooks and incorporating technology solutions.

This is a role for a lawyer who likes getting into the details: reading the fine print, asking the right questions, spotting issues, and turning complexity into clear, workable agreements. You'll join a highly collaborative Legal Department and work closely with Port teams and senior leaders to deliver practical legal counsel and continuously improve how we contract.

Essential Job Duties

Contracting & Procurement

• Provide senior-level legal counsel throughout the procurement process, including sourcing, solicitation strategy, RFPs, awards, protests, and contract administration.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements across construction, professional services, goods and services, technology, licensing, and intergovernmental contracting.
• Develop practical legal strategies that balance risk, operational needs, and organizational goals.

Legal Counsel & Strategy

• Advise business leaders and senior executives on complex legal issues, risk assessments, legal interpretations, and organizational recommendations.
• Lead special legal initiatives and cross-functional projects requiring senior-level legal judgment.
• Provide legal guidance on public agency requirements, policies, and other matters affecting Port operations.

Legal Operations & Collaboration

• Support the Deputy General Counsel in improving legal workflows, technology, playbooks, policies, and other tools that strengthen how the Legal Department serves the Port.
• Lead departmental and cross-functional initiatives, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, with demonstrated expertise across relevant legal practice areas.
• 5+ years of leadership, supervisory, and significant advisory experience.
• Experience with complex contracting and procurement, including construction, professional services, goods and services, technology, or other commercial-style agreements, strongly preferred.
• Expertise in legal operations and innovation, contract lifecycle management and process improvement preferred.

License & Certification

• License to practice law in the State of Oregon.

Demonstrated Skills & Abilities

• Advanced contract drafting and negotiation, legal research, analytical, problem-solving, communication, negotiation, and judgment skills.
• Ability to provide practical, solutions-oriented legal guidance and influence decisions across a complex organization.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage competing priorities, resources, and deadlines in a high-stakes public-sector environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal departments, external agencies, partners, and stakeholders.
• Experience identifying and executing on opportunities to improve legal or business processes, technology, and ways of working.

Supplemental and Selection Information

Working Conditions
The Port supports a flexible hybrid work schedule, with work performed in both office and remote environments based on business needs. Regular in-office work is required; currently, members of the Legal Department are expected to work onsite Tuesday through Thursday , with flexibility to work remotely on other days.

Selection Process (dates subject to change):

1. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources the week of October 19th.

2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials including any responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

3. Our goal is to schedule initial remote screening interviews with candidates that successfully passed the SME evaluation week of October 26th. Successful candidates will then be invited to in-person panel interviews the week of November 2nd.

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

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Safety: The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io.

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