Description

Sound Transit is hiring a Senior Program Manager - Strategic Initiatives.

The Project Management Office (PMO) is a headquarters-style department at Sound Transit and houses key agency functions including enterprise quality, safety, controls, internal audit, engineering, and asset transition. Under general direction from the Chief of Staff – PMO, the Senior Program Manager leads high-impact, cross-departmental initiatives to strengthen the department’s impact and organizational culture. This role serves as strategic advisor to the Deputy CEO and Chief of Staff team.

Salary range is $87k to $191k, with a midpoint of $139k.  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:

The Project Management Office (PMO) is a headquarters-style department at Sound Transit and houses key agency functions including enterprise quality, safety, controls, internal audit, engineering, and asset transition. Under general direction from the Chief of Staff – PMO, the Senior Program Manager leads high-impact, cross-departmental initiatives to strengthen the department’s impact and organizational culture. This role serves as strategic advisor to the Deputy CEO and Chief of Staff team. 

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for leading projects and strategic initiatives that advance cultural transformation, executive communications, organizational health and vibrancy, and leadership effectiveness. Working with the Chief of Staff team and department leaders, this role supports defining, aligning, and integrating work across all divisions to maximize organizational efficiency and ensure a clear strategic focus for the department. 

The Senior Program Manager operates with a high degree of autonomy, discretion, and visibility, managing complex projects and partnerships that span multiple divisions. As a trusted partner to the department’s Deputy CEO and Chief of Staff, this role aligns department initiatives with agency priorities and fosters a connected, inclusive, and high-performing organization.

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.

Lead the department’s communications and reporting strategy, including to the Board of Directors (and Committees of the Board), CEO Office, and peer departments. This work includes implementing and developing a comprehensive communications strategy, such as finessing report language, presentations, speaking points, and managing deliverables.
Serve as a strategic advisor to Deputy CEO and Chief of Staff on department change management best practices and strategies to drive organizational adoption including leadership alignment, culture transformation, and leadership team development.
Serve as partner to the department Chief of Staff team by providing candid, high-level advice, and policy recommendations on a wide variety of programs, issues, and initiatives requiring Deputy CEO attention or decision. 
Partner with Chief of Staff team Business Manager(s) to oversee and advise process consistency, audits, and task order management and processing.
Participate and provide direction on agencywide initiatives, such as business process improvement or new system implementations; represents PMO process requirements to ensure compliance including internal controls.
Manage complex cross-functional projects involving multiple divisions, including planning, facilitation, execution, and follow-up on programs and projects sponsored by the Deputy CEO office.
Ensure that matters and materials requiring the attention of the Deputy CEO are thoroughly developed, researched, and evaluated; respond to routine inquiries as directed. 
Develop and maintain cross-agency partnerships to advance PMO priorities, influence organizational outcomes, and ensure alignment across executive functions.
Lead or support special projects and initiatives as assigned.
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.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or related field. Five years of experience in performing high-level strategic project/program support to executive leaders; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in organizational development, strategic planning and/or communications, or culture transformation/change management preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Strategic high-level program and project management across complex and diverse stakeholder environments.
Executive-level communication, discretion, judgement, and ability to influence without formal authority.
Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and advise on functional alignments, operating models, and efficiencies. 
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, execute complex work, and drive results across multiple concurrent initiatives. 
Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through, ensuring reliable delivery in fast-paced environments. 
Strong interpersonal and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and constituencies and adapt to evolving demands. 
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and values-based leadership.
Strategic thinking and planning with knowledge of Sound Transit’s goals, objectives, structure, and operations.
Strong active listening, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills, proficiency in using self-assessment and self-management skills to participate effectively and constructively as a team member to ensure collective success over individual goals.
Clear, direct, and respectful verbal and written communication that balances accountability with concern for people.
Develop and monitor divisional and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
Ability to identify, analyze, and address a wide variety of issues and problems in a mature and highly professional manner in a high-intensity environment.
Professional maturity, self-awareness, curiosity, and a strong interest in personal and professional growth and learning.
Ability to create, compose, and edit correspondence and other written materials in English with attention to usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Ability to research, synthesize data, and translate insights into clear written reports to inform decision-making.
Fluency with MS tools, including Word, One Note, Teams, Sharepoint, PowerPoint and Excel.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
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.