Executive Project Director-State of Good Repair

Salary range is $165K to $315 with a midpoint of $240K. 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.
• 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 (EPD) leads a cross-disciplinary team responsible for planning, design, procurement, permitting, construction, and closeout of State of Good Repair (SOGR) projects and other projects and programs. The role oversees the SOGR (light rail, bus rapid transit, commuter rail, facilities, etc.) project portfolio and the Sounder (commercial rail) project portfolio as assigned from environmental and preliminary engineering through final design, heavy civil construction, systems integration, and turnover to go into operation. The EPD ensures consistent delivery practices across all projects and provides strategic oversight for scope, budget, schedule, risk, quality, and public accountability. Projects range from small to medium in size ($5,000 to $10,000,000) and complexity, with a total portfolio of over $1,000,000,000 , including transit systems, civil works, infrastructure, upgrades and enhancements. In addition to SOGR and assigned Sounder projects, the sele

This position reports to the Executive Director of Capital Delivery and is expected to drive innovation in delivery approaches, including but not limited to design-build, CMGC, CMAR and progressive design-build-while ensuring strong collaboration across internal departments, external partners, and stakeholders.

The responsibilities include staffing, budget, final design, construction, start-up/testing, and the installation of state-of-the art system upgrades such as signals, communications, and traction electrification to restore or improve systems for reliable transit operations. The selected candidate will assist the 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 Executive Project Director shall be a subject matter expert in collaborative delivery, specifically progressive design build, and act as a progressive design build subject matter expert within the Capital Delivery department. The Executive Project Director will work with the Service Delivery department to set project priorities, verify budget allocations, provide feedback on expected timelines and resources, provide budget expenditure and project tracking information on a regular basis. Additional duties include the oversight of Sounder construction projects for system improvement and enhancements in accordance with voter approved programs, AHJ agreements, and general condition assessments. These system upgrades and repairs can be on crossings, platforms, signals, track, etc.

A strong leadership acumen is needed to create strong relationships and trust throughout the Capital Delivery department as well as with Service Delivery and partners throughout the agency. Leadership responsibilities include managing and leading staff, this entails training and mentoring, creating growth opportunities, and assessing performance at the individual and team level. Leadership qualities to include excellent communication skills and the ability to present to the CEO and board in a professional and informative manner. 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.

• Directs, oversees, and is responsible for the performance of assigned projects including scope, budget, schedule, risk, safety, security, and quality across all phases-final design, construction, start-up/testing, and rail activation. Leads the project organization to deliver complex projects in complex sites and conditions, and ensures it is designed and constructed in accordance with Sound Transit (ST) policies and procedures, and delivered to ST Operations as a safe, secure, and reliable high-capacity transit system. Assist in project definition and scope development in addition to budgets and schedules as projects are identified. Ability to assign staff resources to include PM and CM resources. Performance tracking and reporting is required on an ongoing basis as well as robust document control.
• Manages staff and plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned to staff; assigns activities, manages schedules and programs; provides feedback; evaluates work; and offers constructive suggestions and recommendations.
• Embraces agency values and prioritizes internal and cross-departmental collaboration to achieve successful outcomes for the assigned project and other agency initiatives.
• Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates or provides training; manages employee relations; prioritizes projects and monitors departmental performance; provides guidance; develops individual work plans; and implements or recommends disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Assists the Capital Delivery Department (CDD) Executive Director and senior management with strategic planning and implementation of department activities and operations; performs other duties as assigned.
• Participates in departmental initiatives and supports the planning and execution of strategic business priorities.
• Maintains effective working relationships with external partners that may include federal, state, and local officials, project partners (e.g., WSDOT, FTA, FHWA, PMOC, AGC, ACEC, BNSF), and key community stakeholders.
• Develops, administers, and oversees the project's annual budget and lifetime budget and cashflows; forecasts future funding needs for staffing, equipment, and supplies; and reviews and approves expenditures, implementing adjustments as necessary.
• Provides departmental support on assigned matters; may serves on working groups and committees; prepares and presents reports and correspondence; participates in professional and industry groups; monitors and integrates relevant trends and developments; and ensures consistent and effective application of policies and compliance with laws and regulations.
• Participates as SME in decisions and selection criteria to prioritize SOGR projects for eventual handoff to Service Delivery. Fully responsible for delivering portions of Sound Transit's SOGR portfolio project allocation, including final acceptance review, design, construction, start-up/testing, and activation. Oversees scope, budget, schedule, risk, safety, security, and quality. Leads the project team in delivering complex projects.
• Takes full accountability for ensuring compliance with Sound Transit policies and procedures and for delivering the project as a safe, secure, and reliable high-capacity transit system to ST Operations.
• Leads program delivery from initiation through implementation, managing cost, schedule, and efficiency. Applies innovative delivery methods and continuously improves capital delivery practices.
• Experience leading teams delivering all phases of capital projects.
• Develops and mentors the delivery team; fosters a collaborative, collegial, and supportive environment; and exercises strong leadership acumen.
• Supports the CDD Executive Director and senior management in strategic oversight; leverages tools such as Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) and innovative technology for reporting; fosters open communication and reports on issues and solutions.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors 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. Ten years experience in engineering and/or construction management that includes project management of complex projects of varying sizes and types. Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

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

Preferred Licenses and 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 engineering (signals, communications, traction electrification, and light rail vehicles), with extensive experience in light rail transit planning, design, and delivery.
• Strong understanding of system integration and interface management across disciplines and project phases in complex, multi-billion-dollar rail programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of traditional and collaborative contract delivery models, with demonstrated experience in commercial and contract management for large-scale ($1B+) projects; able to mentor and develop agency expertise in this area.
• Applied experience in cost estimating, scheduling, and project controls for complex infrastructure programs, including earned value management and risk-based forecasting.
• Knowledge of relevant construction codes, public works contracting laws, industry standards, and construction safety practices applicable in Washington State.

• Strategic planning and policy development for major public capital programs.
• Development and administration of multi-year program budgets and project-level financial controls.
• Application of advanced project and program management principles, including scope, risk, and quality management.
• Construction management of civil (heavy civil and vertical) and systems (signals, communications, traction electrification) infrastructure for transit projects.
• Experience partnering with designers, contractors, utilities, third parties, local jurisdictions, and community stakeholders through design, permitting, and construction.

• Strong presentation, public speaking, and facilitation skills for a range of audiences including the public, elected officials, partner agencies, and internal leadership.
• Ability to navigate and resolve complex stakeholder issues through negotiation, diplomacy, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Applied communication techniques to convey complex technical and policy information to a wide variety of audiences in both oral and written forms.
• Principles of supervision, leadership, coaching, and performance evaluation.
• Experience developing and directing multidisciplinary teams and managing consultants across multiple phases of project delivery.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and adjust to changing political, financial, or technical conditions.
• Skilled in preparing and analyzing data, reports, schedules, and program metrics to inform executive decision-making.
• Proficiency in project management software, Microsoft Office Suite, and data analysis tools used for tracking costs, schedules, and performance.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and administer policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid 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.
• Position may require on call to respond to project needs such as safety incidents, etc.
• 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.