Cascadia Director of Operations (WMS Band 4)

State of Washington•King County - Seattle – Other, WA

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a forward-thinking leader to serve as Cascadia Director of Operations in the Seattle area. The role helps shape regional transportation by advancing Cascadia High-Speed Rail and the Interstate 5 (I-5) Program. These long-term initiatives aim to improve the movement of people and goods, strengthen connections between communities, and improve the performance of the region’s transportation system. The I-5 Program spans the corridor from the Canadian border to the Oregon border, while Cascadia High-Speed Rail envisions a connection between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The work involves planning and development across transportation studies, funding strategies, environmental reviews, design, construction, and future operations, in collaboration with regional, state, and international partners. The role also considers how emerging air mobility options may interact with the broader transportation network and supports WSDOT’s legislative commitments and federal grant obligations. The Director oversees a broad range of operational and program functions, including business and finance management, project controls, reporting and schedule assessment, strategic planning, risk assessment, agreements, document controls, public disclosure requests, tolling, legal support, office and facility management, and right-of-way management. The position provides strategic advice and executive-level oversight, frames issues for decision-making, and supports implementation of decisions. It develops plans, risk mitigation strategies, goals, performance objectives, tools, training, and processes to monitor results and improve performance, quality, and delivery. The Director works with WSDOT headquarters divisions, other regional offices, transit agencies, jurisdictions, and UMAM divisions to build partnerships necessary to deliver the Cascadia Program.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience proactively identifying, analyzing, and resolving highly complex, high-risk, and politically sensitive policy, engineering, interagency, and public-facing issues with significant organizational or public impact.
Working knowledge of public-sector finance, budgeting, programming, project delivery processes, and legislative and governmental decision-making frameworks.
Ability to navigate decisions affecting policy direction, funding, public trust, safety, or operational outcomes with sound judgment; make strategic and tactical decisions; and adapt to new information.
Demonstrated experience solving complex engineering or programmatic problems requiring integration of technical, regulatory, financial, and stakeholder considerations.
Demonstrated experience conducting high-level negotiations and partnering with entities with differing and complex objectives, such as contractors, consultants, agencies, and local communities.
Demonstrated experience developing, interpreting, and implementing policy, governance frameworks, and strategic plans, and translating them into measurable objectives and accountable execution across complex organizations.
Commitment to learning and growth.
Service-oriented approach and willingness to act to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Executive-level communication skills, including shaping and delivering complex technical, financial, and policy messages to elected officials, executive leadership, stakeholders, and media in high-visibility environments.
Success leading high-stakes negotiations and influencing outcomes among competing governmental, tribal, jurisdictional, and private-sector interests to achieve strategic WSDOT objectives.
Sophisticated management skills to ensure high-quality, efficient performance of professional WSDOT and consultant staff, and ability to reassess strategy and delivery approaches as information, risks, or political context change.
Leadership driving continuous improvement, innovation, and organizational change across large, multidisciplinary teams while maintaining collaboration, accountability, and delivery discipline.
Success establishing and maintaining public trust through transparent governance, ethical decision-making, and responsible stewardship of public resources in politically sensitive environments.
Effectiveness leading, coaching, and empowering senior managers and professional staff to sustain high performance, accountability, and leadership succession.
Professional-level knowledge of transportation and civil engineering principles, land use, practices and standards, and transportation laws and regulations.
Advanced knowledge or expertise in a relevant field acquired through an advanced degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience.
Ability to manage or lead large-scale transportation programs involving significant geographic reach, financial resources, multiple technical disciplines, and diverse stakeholders with competing priorities.
Experience leading or managing transportation, engineering, infrastructure, or other complex programs, including coordinating technical teams, overseeing program delivery, and aligning project activities with organizational objectives.
Ability to lead large teams and complex organizational functions, establish strategic direction, guide managers and multidisciplinary teams, allocate resources, and maintain accountability for program performance and outcomes.

Responsibilities

Oversee business and finance management, project controls, reporting and schedule assessment, strategic planning, risk assessment, agreements, document controls, public disclosure requests, tolling, legal support, office and facility management, and right-of-way management.
Provide strategic advice, identify issues and barriers to success, suggest solutions, frame issues for decision-making with the Program Administrator, and ensure decisions are implemented.
Provide executive-level oversight and support for program and financial management plans, legal issues, special disclosure requests, and special projects.
Lead strategic planning and decision-making; develop comprehensive risk and mitigation strategies, clear goals and performance objectives, and tools, training, and processes to manage and monitor results and improve performance, quality, and delivery.
Work with Headquarters divisions, other Region offices, transit agencies, other jurisdictions, and UMAM divisions to build partnerships for successful Cascadia Program delivery.
Coach, motivate, train, and empower employees.