Executive Project Director - Ballard Link Extension

Salary range is $165K to $315K with a midpoint of $240K. Total compensation includes project-based premiums that reflect project complexity, political sensitivity, size, and strategic importance. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint of the base range, however, we may go 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 activation of the Ballard Link Extension (click here for more details about ST3 projects including Ballard).
The role oversees project development from environmental and preliminary engineering through final design, heavy civil construction, systems integration, and turnover to operations for revenue service readiness. The EPD ensures consistent delivery practices across all extensions and provides strategic oversight for scope, budget, schedule, risk, quality, and public accountability.
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 stakeholder communities.
The responsibilities include staffing, budget, 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.

Directs and oversees performance of the assigned Link Extension Light Rail Project, 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 this complex project 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.
Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned 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.
Actively participates in ST’s Senior Management Team and supports the planning and execution of strategic business priorities.
Maintains effective working relationships and communication with the ST Board, federal, state, and local officials, project partners (e.g., WSDOT, FTA, FHWA, PMOC, AGC, ACEC), and key community stakeholders.
Develops, administers, and oversees the project’s annual budget; forecasts future funding needs for staffing, equipment, and supplies; and reviews and approves expenditures, implementing adjustments as necessary.
Provides departmental support on assigned matters; serves on various boards, commissions, 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.
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.
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.
Fully responsible for delivering portions of Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail portfolio, including final design, construction, start-up/testing, and activation. Oversees scope, budget, schedule, risk, safety, security, and quality. Leads the project team in delivering complex light rail projects.
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 and ten 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. Eight 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 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.