Executive Project Director

Salary range is $150k to $260k, with a midpoint of $200k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, the Executive Project Director leads a team responsible for planning, directing, managing and overseeing plans to deliver all phases of Sound Transit's Maintenance Facilities portfolio. This portfolio includes the development of new facilities such as OMF South, OMF North, Maintenance of Way North and where required, major capital changes to existing OMF infrastructure. The objective of this role is to optimize the development and implementation of a network of maintenance facilities to support the efficient and effective delivery of maintenance across the Sound Transit Link network.

The responsibilities include final design, construction, start-up/testing, and rail activation involving high-risk heavy civil construction combined with the installation of state-of-the art systems such as signals, communications, and traction electrification for a fully-integrated high-capacity transit system; assists the department Executive Director in strategic oversight including planning, directing, and managing of activities and operations of the Capital Delivery Department (CDD).

The Executive Project Director will work with all other Executive Project Directors to deliver work consistently and successfully as well as leverage lessons learned and share best practices. The Director shall be a subject matter expert in collaborative delivery and specifically progressive design build and act as a progressive design build subject matter expert within the Capital Delivery department.

Leadership responsibilities include managing and leading staff, this entails training and mentoring, creating growth opportunities, and assessing performance at the individual and team level. This will include establishing KPIs and other metrics and tools as well as driving capital delivery mission and vision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Fully responsible (directs, leads, manages and oversees) for delivering Sound Transit's Maintenance Facilities portfolio. Performance includes scope, budget, schedule, risk, safety, security, and quality for all phases of the project that includes final design, construction, start-up/testing and rail activation; leads the Link Operations and Maintenance Facility organization to deliver this complex Project.
• Takes full responsibility and accountability to ensure that this project is designed and constructed in accordance with Sound Transit's (ST) policies and procedures and takes responsibility to ensure that this project is delivered to ST Operations as a safe, secure, and reliable high-capacity transit system.
• Leads the program delivery from start to finish and is responsible for all areas of the program from cost controls to schedule management through to implementation efficiencies. Applies new delivery methods and continuously improves the overall delivery approach for capital delivery.
• Develops the delivery team through coaching, mentorship and personal development. Applies a high level of leadership acumen and can foster a collaborative, collegial, and supportive environment. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Embraces agency values in activities and focuses on internal and cross-departmental collaboration to reach successful outcomes on matters that impact the OMF Program and other agency projects.
• Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the department and all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures when appropriate/necessary.
• Assists the CDD Executive Director and senior management team in the oversight of strategic planning and implementation of activities and operations of the CDD department; and performs other duties as directed by the CDD Executive Director. Leverages new tools such as Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) and other innovative technology to support project and performance reporting. Creates a culture of open communications and actively reports on issues and solutions to Senior Management.
• Actively participates in ST's Senior Management Team and assists in the planning and implementation of strategic business priorities.
• Maintains effective working relationships and communications with ST Board, federal- state- and local-officials, project partners such as Washington State Department of Transportation, FTA, FHWA, PMOC, and AGC, and key community stakeholders.
• Develops, administers, maintains, and oversees the annual budget for the Project; makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; and reviews and approves department expenditures and implements adjustments.
• Provides support to the department and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group and industry meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or closely related field and eight years of experience in engineering and/or construction management that includes project management of large, complex projects; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience, preferably in a rail or transit related environment.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Washington state driver's license. This role will perform inspections on active construction sites, stations, and facilities, including locations that are not currently served by transit. Driving an agency vehicle will be necessary to monitor construction tasks and respond to emergent situations at any time of day, within assigned projects and project corridors.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Professional Civil Engineer license issued by the State of Washington
• Design-build Institute of America (DBIA) Certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Principles and standards of architecture, civil, mechanical, electrical and systems (e.g. signals, communications, traction electrification, light rail vehicles) and deep experience with light rail transit operations and maintenance facilities including but not limited to technical and integration requirements for the development new maintenance facilities, optimization of functional requirements across a network of facilities, and development of maintenance practices.
• Strong commercial background in Progressive Design Build and able to act as a subject matter expert in this area in order to develop (teach, coach, mentor) and grow the Agency's expertise in this area. Demonstrable experience in all areas of commercial and contract management for large (1B+) projects.
• Transit or related operations (e.g. practices and procedures) related to intermodal transit or related projects.
• Strategic policy management (principles and practices).
• Relevant federal, state, and local regulations (including applicable laws and codes).
• Applied principles and practices in project control.
• Applied principles and practices in cost estimating, budget preparation, and schedule performance for multi-billion dollar transit projects.
• Standards and codes that govern construction in Washington State, Public Works contracting law, construction safety manuals, and contract plans and specifications and general industry practices.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Policy and procedure development.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Developing, managing, and directing assigned division's programs, and functional areas.
• Performing negotiations and partnering with local jurisdictions and agencies, utilities, contractors, and community groups.
• Presentation development and public speaking skills.
• Applying appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, contractors, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Applied principles and practices in partnering with contractors, designers, local jurisdictions, public/private stakeholders, and community groups.
• Applied skills/experience in construction management for civil facilities (both heavy civil and building trades) and systems (signals, communications, traction electrification, light rail vehicles).
• Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Applying advanced project management and program development techniques and principles.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
• Developing and monitoring divisional and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office and field environment.
• Employees working in field, shop, warehouse, and/or transit vehicle environment may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Working on active construction sites are subject to bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, grasping, sitting, standing, walking, and carrying and lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.