Capital Division Director

King County•Seattle, WA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

King County Metro is seeking a visionary executive leader to serve as its next Capital Division Director. This is a significant opportunity to shape the future of a leading public transportation system during a period of transformation, including service expansion, major capital investments, new operating facilities, and technology modernization. The Capital Division Director will be instrumental in realizing Metro's vision, reporting directly to the General Manager and serving on the executive leadership team. This role involves leading the planning, delivery, and stewardship of billions of dollars in capital investments that will impact transportation in King County for decades. It's an opportunity to build a transportation system that expands opportunity, connects communities, advances climate goals, and supports regional growth. The ideal candidate will possess strategic vision, executive leadership, and a proven track record in delivering complex infrastructure programs. They should be adept at setting long-term direction, navigating public sector governance, cultivating partnerships, and leading large, multidisciplinary teams through change. The division oversees capital planning, project delivery, central services, fleet procurement, and transit-oriented development, ensuring alignment with agency vision and operational needs.

Requirements

Five (5) years in leadership roles overseeing large-scale capital programs and multidisciplinary teams.
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in transportation, capital planning, project delivery and/or public-sector infrastructure management.
A bachelor's degree in finance, business, engineering, architecture, construction management or a closely related field.
Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the role may be considered.
Deep subject matter knowledge in capital decision making, budget, internal and external policy and partnerships, and other processes to get things built.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations (such as FTA Capital Investment Grants and PMO requirements).
Knowledge about how organizations work and how to get things done both through formal channels and informal networks.
Ability to make complex decisions and to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably, in a capable and agile manner.
Ability to see clearly ahead, anticipate future consequences, effectively set priorities, and have broad knowledge, perspective, and the ability to articulate possibilities and spend time on what is important.
Experience with building effective teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue.
Experience and ability to develop and lead direct reports, furthering people's career goals, providing challenging and stretching tasks and assignments, and effectively developing all levels of staff.
Knowledge of how to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, as well as solve problems for the good of all.
Experience working with labor and the ability to develop and nurture strong, productive relationships with union leadership, respecting established processes, and fostering an environment of mutual respect.
An ability to communicate well, in both oral and written communications.
High integrity and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Good sense of self, knowing personal strengths, weaknesses, and biases and the impacts of these on others, particularly those you lead, possessing a commitment to continuously advancing this self-awareness.
Demonstrate transparency and build trust, courageously, and consistently acting upon a strong set of core values that are aligned with Metro's values.
Have the ability as a leader to facilitate difficult conversations, particularly related to race (and other protected classes), power, and privilege.
Have the leadership courage and ability to identify and take steps necessary to ensure that all have equitable opportunities to thrive.
Valid State Driver's License or alternate ability to travel to locations for which public transportation is not regularly available.

Nice To Haves

Public sector experience is highly desired.
Prior experience in transit or transportation is highly desired.
Desired experience with desired experience with (but not required): Public sector experience is highly desired. Prior experience in transit or transportation is highly desired.

Responsibilities

Set and articulate a clear, future-oriented vision for the capital division, aligned with King County Metro’s strategic objectives and regional growth.
Drive organizational change and foster a culture of innovation, safety, and continuous improvement.
Direct teams across planning, delivery, central services, fleet procurement and transit-oriented development, reporting to the General Manager.
Oversee planning, design, engineering, construction, and commissioning of complex, large-scale capital projects.
Implement best-in-class project management methodologies to ensure delivery on time, within budget, and to specification.
Develop, manage, and report on large capital budgets with transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Collaborate with other Metro leaders to innovate and develop funding strategies, including federal, state, local, and public/private partnerships.
Oversee a multi-billion-dollar capital program supporting transit system expansion, zero-emission fleet transition, and facility upgrades.
Ensure compliance with all procurement, documentation, and reporting requirements for public sector capital projects.
Build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues, cross-divisional teams, elected officials, regional jurisdictions and committees, community partners, and the public.
Build transparent, equitable engagement processes into the division’s planning, program and project decision-making to ensure community needs and equity goals are met.
Inspire, develop, and retain high-performing teams in planning and portfolio management, engineering, project controls, and project delivery.
Champion workforce development, diversity, equity, and inclusion and foster a learning organization.
Leverage technology and analytics (such as digital project management tools, AI, and performance dashboards) to optimize project delivery.
Drive the adoption of new tools and best practices to improve efficiency and manage risk.
Integrate sustainability and climate action goals into all phases of capital planning and project delivery.
Advance equity and social justice through project prioritization, community engagement, and impact mitigation.
Apply equity and social justice principles to all aspects of the work.