Deputy Director of Operations (Business Operations Administrator 2)

• Initial Posting Date: 10/16/2026
• Application Deadline: 11/03/2026
• Agency: Department of Early Learning and Care
• Salary Range: $10,569 - $16,363
• Position Type: Employee Position
• Title: Deputy Director of Operations (Business Operations Administrator 2)

Join the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) as our next Deputy Director of Operations (Business Operations Administrator 2) and help lead the systems, people, and strategies that make a difference for children and families across Oregon.

As a key member of our executive leadership team, you will turn strategic vision into action by strengthening the systems, teams, and operations that make our mission possible.

Your leadership will help ensure that children, families, and early learning and care professionals across Oregon have access to coordinated, culturally responsive, and family-centered services that support their ability to thrive.

This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both in the office (Salem) and at an alternate location (home). In office work and/or travel is anticipated on at least a quarterly basis, with more frequent travel occurring during legislative sessions.

About the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC)

At DELC, we are dedicated to helping Oregon’s young children and families learn and thrive. As the state agency responsible for early learning programs, child care licensing, and family support services, we play a crucial role in shaping the future of Oregon’s children from birth to kindergarten.

We administer state-funded early learning programs, including home visiting and site-based infant, toddler, and preschool services. We also develop coordinated systems through Early Learning Hubs and collaborate with Child Care Resource and Referral organizations to provide training, coaching, and quality improvement opportunities for early learning providers.

With over 242,000 young children in Oregon, we have a unique opportunity to transform early childhood support systems, creating a brighter future for families across the state. Research shows that investing in early childhood has lifelong benefits, and now is your chance to be part of an agency making a lasting impact for generations to come.

Why Join Our Team?

We are passionate about equity in early childhood education. At DELC, we value dedication, integrity, and collective wisdom, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace where all employees can thrive.

We challenge ourselves to lead with courage, refine practices, and drive meaningful change for children and families statewide.

What We Offer

• Low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, plus optional benefits like life and disability insurance, deferred compensation, and flexible spending accounts.
• 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 1 special day, monthly sick leave, and vacation accruals that increase every 5 years.
• Potential federal loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments.
• A diverse, welcoming workplace committed to equity and continuous improvement.

What you will do

• Adjise the Director and executive leadership team on agency priorities, policy, operations, and strategic planning.
• Represent the agency in high-level meetings with state and federal partners, legislators, and other leaders as needed.
• Manage the Operations Division, overseeing operational functions, data, information technology, and budget planning to support effective, efficient, and reliable agency services.
• Monitor progress toward strategic goals, evaluate and guide operational effectiveness, identify risks and barriers, and guide solutions that improve agency performance and outcomes.
• Supervise and support operational leaders, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and ensure employee goals align with agency priorities, performance measures and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with agency leadership to advance equity, strengthen inclusive organizational practices, and support community engagement and communication efforts that reflect the needs of Oregon’s diverse communities.
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Desired Attributes

• Strategic communicator and executive advisor: Clearly conveys complex operational, fiscal, and policy information to diverse audiences with varying levels of expertise, including executive leadership, legislators, and community partners. Builds trust and shared understanding of strategic priorities, performance expectations, and operational risks through transparent, confident communication.
• Decisive, adaptive systems-level leader: Makes timely decisions that balance operational realities, policy goals, and fiscal responsibility. Demonstrates calm, professional leadership in high-pressure environments and adjusts strategy as statewide priorities, budget conditions, and program needs evolve.
• Expertise in governmental management and resource stewardship: Understands and applies budgetary procedures, personnel management, supervisory practices, and governmental structures to ensure agency’s operational infrastructure is strong, compliant, and aligned with DELC’s statutory responsibilities.
• Operational strategist focused on accountability, and efficiency: Identifies opportunities to strengthen organizational efficiency, support transparent resource allocation, fiscal integrity practices, and data-driven continuous improvement.
• Leader of multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams: Provides clarity, alignment, and direction across research, data, IT, fiscal, grant, and contract staff. Synthesizes diverse perspectives to support informed decision-making, strategic prioritization, and coordinated execution of agency goals.
• Highly ethical, transparent, and disciplined steward of public resources: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and responsible management of public resources. Ensures high standards of fiscal responsibility, audit readiness, transparent reporting, and compliance with state requirements.
• Strategic forward-looking organizational leader: Anticipates future operational needs, identifies system gaps, and drives innovation to strengthen long-term capacity to delivery high-quality services. Aligns operational strategy with agency goals and vision. Applies innovative problem‑solving and adapts proactively within an evolving decision-making environment.
• Visible, engaged role model for staff: Encourages a safe, respectful, inclusive, and diverse work environment. Actively develops staff, fosters a culture of engagement and belonging, and ensures operations support equitable outcomes for children and families.
• Community-aware and culturally responsive connector: Builds trust and strong relationships across Oregon’s diverse communities. Ensures operational decisions and resource allocation promote equitable access to services statewide.
• Collaborative partner across agencies and jurisdictions: Effectively navigates federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as multijurisdictional partners, to advance shared goals, promote coordinated service delivery, and align operations with statewide systems.
• Experienced leader of organizational change and modernization: Navigates complex transitions, including restructuring, modernization, culture shifts, and strategic transitions while maintaining employee support, transparency, and operational stability.

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications)

• Seven years of management experience; OR four years of management experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Eligibility and Compliance

• This position is subject to both a Child Protective Services and Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) check, including FBI fingerprinting, and will be required to enroll in the Central Background Registry. Both of these checks must be completed and approved prior to starting with the agency. The results can take 1-3 weeks to get back. Adverse background data will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
• This position will require travel to field offices and for meetings, therefore, a valid driver license and acceptable driving record is required, unless the successful applicant can provide a satisfactory alternate mode of transportation.
• Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard Servicemembers who meet the qualifications will be given Veterans' preference.
• The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care does not offer visa sponsorship.
• Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.
• The Department is an E-Verify employer.
• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT) on the close date.
• You must respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce.

We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Candidates of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as bilingual/multicultural individuals, are encouraged to apply.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our desired attributes listed.

We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities.

From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”