Capital Program and Franchise Manager

City of Issaquah•Issaquah, WA

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

The City supports work/life balance through a generous 3 days remote/2 days in office schedule after the initial training period. Candidates must live in Washington State or be planning to move to Washington State. Looking to lead? Ready to share your subject matter expertise and orchestrate a high-performing capital program that an entire community can be proud of? Join our department’s leadership team and steer our capital program and franchise management toward perfection. We’re looking for someone who would excel at facilitating the Public Works Department’s utility and transportation capital improvement portfolio. This non-engineering, management position will work closely with division and project managers to monitor the execution of our capital program, improve processes, and report out on performance. In addition, this position will be responsible for management of the City’s utility and telecommunication lease and franchise program. We are looking for candidates who have great diagnostic skills, who love to organize information and processes, who want to mentor and work with an unbeatable team, who thrive in resolving challenges, and who want to boldly shape and lead this City function. Under general supervision and in coordination with other managers, the incumbent ensures the effective delivery and close out of Public Works projects, consistent with City and community goals. This leadership position coordinates efforts across divisions and teams, makes recommendations, and directs the development and reporting of the department’s Capital Improvement Program. The incumbent develops needed system improvements such as robust planning processes, creating and utilizing performance metrics and tools, increasing inter- and intra-departmental coordination, providing higher-level coordination of grant funding, and driving procedural changes that could enhance on-scope, on-time and on-budget success. The City maintains utility franchise agreements within City ROW and maintains and manages telecommunication towers and facilities renting space on City-owned sites. As the franchise program manager, the incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of complex professional tasks that require extensive analysis, negotiation, interpretation, and administrative skills. Typical tasks require reviewing and interpreting contract language, coordinating approval of new contracts, negotiating new or renewed franchise agreements, defining and managing fees, and resolving disputes. First review of applications: June 22, 2026. EQUITY STATEMENT The City of Issaquah strives to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We value a variety of perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state and local laws. We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to the success of our City operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, project management, or related field.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in project or program management.
Valid WA State driver’s license and a driving record that meets City standards.
Or any combination of training and experience that would provide the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of government project, program, contract and lease management including scope, schedule, budget, performance and risk management; quality assurance and control; and decision-making.
Public speaking principles and techniques for effective presentations.
Negotiation and dispute resolution techniques.
Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Public engagement strategies and how to strategically apply them in a neighborhood, program or project-specific setting.
Policies, functions and responsibilities of local government or public jurisdictions.
Public decision-making and approval process, including committee and City Council action.
Customer service principles and practices.
Proper English usage, grammar, punctuation, spelling and diction.
Principles and practices of record keeping and records management.
Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, invoice processing software, presentation software, and spreadsheets.
Skill in: Analysis to comprehend, interpret, and explain rules, regulations, contract specifications, lease conditions, legal requirements, and applicable rules, policies and standards; evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations based on findings.
Oral and written communication and presentation; ability to develop clear and concise written policy or other information summarizing technical and legal issues to a general audience.
Organization to assemble and monitor work plans and accountability measures, prioritize competing tasks, and track specific project and program details.
Interpersonal interactions Negotiating contracts, leases and franchise agreements.
Problem solving, including anticipating problems and creating solutions.
Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines, while assuring compliance with Department and City goals and objectives.
Using computers and applicable software programs.
Ability to: Effectively apply program and project management principles to monitor and manage programs, requirements, performance metrics, budgets, and schedules within a team environment.
Prioritize projects and activities within the program to meet the overall objectives of the program.
Work independently to identify federal, state and local issues and opportunities related to franchise utility services and telecommunication leases and the control and use of public rights-of-way.
Develop written analysis, reports and recommendations for review by Department, City Attorney, City Administration, elected officials, and others.
Build and maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively with employees, elected officials, utility and telecommunication companies, leasees, and the general public.
Exhibit positive leadership skills and inter- and intra-departmental cooperation.
Mentor, coach, train, and/or supervise professional and administrative staff.
Remain flexible to changing priorities.
Analyze problems, identify solutions, and predict and minimize risks.
Mediate disputes and facilitate resolutions.
Make presentations on complex and/or sensitive issues; communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
Prepare and maintain accurate records and files.

Nice To Haves

Project Management Professional certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads the process of the department’s CIP program development, coordinates inter- and intra-departmental collaboration, facilitates workflow and communication between departments, assists with prioritization of projects, and makes recommendations for process improvements.
Monitors capital portfolios for project delivery performance issues (quality control and quality assurance, e.g., budget, schedule, scope), evaluating trends, identifying risk factors, communicating findings, and recommending corrective actions.
Performs assessments of overall capital program performance, including public engagement efforts, accuracy of cost-estimating and project accounting/reconciliation, commitments and change order use.
Develops and implements systems to track performance measures related to project performance.
Manages special projects and process improvement efforts designed to increase program performance.
Prepares capital program and project status reports and other communication means for a variety of audiences, including City Council and the public.
Attends project planning meetings to understand objectives, plan and scope.
Assists with the preparation of grant applications and reporting. Including supporting the development of grants, performing some quality assurance and quality control tasks for grant submittals, monitoring reporting, identifying necessary documentation, and facilitating City Council action.
Works with project managers on grant submittals and may maintain an inventory of applicable grants.
Coordinates, manages and maintains City franchise utility agreements and telecommunication lease agreements, fees and related information.
Reviews and interprets contract language.
Negotiates new or renewed franchise agreements and telecommunication leases and coordinates approval of contracts.
Resolves disputes related to franchise agreements, contracts and leases.
Monitors the status and accuracy of franchise and lease payments to the City.
Acts as the City's primary contact for franchise utility companies for all purposes other than construction permits.
Researches and develops recommendations supporting the most coordinated and efficient utility company public rights-of-way use.
Identifies and documents issues that may affect the City and community relating to franchise utility services and agreements.
Works with other departments to develop and maintain an appropriate right-of-way compensation program.
Develops a framework for negotiations and renewal of utility franchise and telecommunication lease agreements.
Addresses new franchise utility applications, researches and develops initial franchise proposals for negotiating new franchise agreements.
Coordinates with capital project managers, as needed, on utility location or relocation projects.
Responds to inquiries from the public, City staff, and others, interpreting and explaining utility franchises, ordinances, policies and procedures pertaining to compliance.
Assists City Attorney's Office on franchise utility issues involving potential litigation.
Prepares materials such as presentations, memos and agenda bills for the Department Director, City Administration and City Council’s consideration.
Monitors state and federal legislation, regulations and rules related to franchise utility services and local management of public rights-of-ways.
Provides recommendations and maintains awareness of managed competition issues and opportunities for franchise utility services.
Drafts and maintains department policies and procedures.
Represents the City and the department as assigned.
Provides mentoring and coaching to build the capacity and capability of project managers and administrative teams.
Prepares training opportunities for staff.
Makes presentations to elected and appointed officials, community groups, and the general public on the capital program.
May facilitate public engagement meetings.
May perform other duties as assigned by the department director.