Chief Quality & Audit Officer

Sound Transit•Seattle, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general direction from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Program Management Officer, the Chief Quality & Audit Officer provides strategic leadership and vision while directing and leading the Sound Transit Quality and Internal Audit team. This position is responsible for bringing a continuous improvement mindset to the work of ensuring that Agency, state, and federal requirements, guidelines, and regulations are consistently applied through effective, proactive, data-driven quality management and internal audit services. The Chief Quality & Audit Officer serves as a transformational change management leader to ensure consistent quality outcomes across the agency, including agency-level promotion, policies, assurance, and risk management. The Quality and Internal Audit team is part of the Program Management Office (PMO) within the Executive Department led by the CEO, and this position receives management support and guidance from the Chief Program Management Officer. This position will hold the responsibility to escalate issues directly to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors on emerging issues. This position serves as Sound Transit’s chief audit executive and reports directly to the CEO with regular direct communication with the Finance and Audit Committee. This role requires excellent communication, decision-making, and influential leadership skills, and a leader passionate about supporting, promoting, and driving continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability throughout the organization. In addition to serving as a key strategic partner to the CEO, Chief Program Management Officer, and agency leaders, the Chief Quality & Audit Officer is the executive leader for the Quality and Internal Audit team and demonstrates Agency values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Quality Management, Audit, Construction Management, Project Management, Process Improvement, or closely related field.
Twelve years in capital project management and delivery, engineering, construction management, audit, or manufacturing experience, preferably in the public sector; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ten years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience.
Valid state driver's license.
Demonstrated experience establishing, strengthening, and/or maintaining internal audit and a quality culture within a complex, asset-intensive organization, ideally within the transportation field.
Demonstrated experience establishing and implementing a quality management system compliant with international standards, with preference toward ISO 9001 Standard Requirements for Quality Management Systems and the Federal Transit Administration Guidelines for Quality Management Systems.
Building trusted relationships with peers or others with whom one does not have positional authority.
Understanding the nature of quality management and internal audit activities in a construction environment.
Leading and empowering teams of diverse staff to navigate complex organizational structure and deliver thoughtful outcomes under pressure.
Strong leadership, relationship-building and management, and ability to positively influence the work of others.
Knowledge of FTA’s 15 Elements of a Quality Program and general knowledge of requirements and standards of the FTA, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), American Public Transportation Association (APRA), or other regulatory standards.
Experience working in a fully functioning quality management program, ideally within the context of FTA and/or FRA guidelines.
Demonstrated understanding of how to engage leadership and staff in processing non-conformance, audit issues, addressing root causes, corrective actions / audit findings and actions to prevent recurrence, and solving quality issues.
Experience working with audit professionals, preferably in a public agency, to implement the intent of the Global Internal Audit Standards.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations for auditors and international best practices for auditing, including Institute of International Auditors (IAA) standards and Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), or a commitment to swiftly complete training.
Demonstrated ability to lead, improve, integrate, and strategically transform business processes, driving organizational and culture change.
Knowledge of, interpreting, and applying applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Independent judgment, strategic thinking, and problem resolution.
Risk assessment and management, and strategic planning.
Forecasting potential quality trends by leveraging data.
Data gathering, analysis and visualization for reporting, decision making, and transparency of decisions.
Presentation development and public speaking skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and active listening.
Developing and overseeing complex programs that interface with multiple parts of the agency simultaneously.
Principles of management, training, and performance evaluation.
Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration; public sector budgeting and administration.
Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing and competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.
American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence or ASQ Certified Quality Auditor.
Project Management Institute (PMI) Certified Project Manager.
Completion of FTA-sponsored quality management training.
Lean Six Sigma training.
Policy and procedure development and implementation, along with interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
Contract and procurement strategies and management principles.
Experience with using management systems and regulated audit program.
Experience with design, construction, operations, safety programs, activities, and services of a regional transit authority.

Responsibilities

Developing and overseeing the implementation of a robust, integrated, and comprehensive agency framework for quality and audit, including an FTA compliant quality management plan.
Advancing the vision of quality and internal audit management through the lens of continuous improvement, and provides strategic thought leadership across the Agency, in partnership with the CEO, Chief Program Management Officer, and agency leaders.
Directing and reviewing the Quality and Internal Audit team’s work, including developing annual work plans in conjunction with agency leadership and the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Leading the Agency’s Quality and Internal Audit program and ensures the assigned leaders and staff establish and implement the appropriate management structure, staffing, programs, policies, plans, and processes to reflect agency needs, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
Providing leadership and guidance to assigned directors, along with timely and constructive feedback.
Leading organizational design, staffing, and recruitment for the Quality and Internal Audit team.
Providing leadership and mentorship to the Quality and Internal Audit team for how to promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
Setting the direction with quality and internal audit team leaders to expect collaboration across the agency.
Coaching, training, and motivating team leaders to manage day-to-day staff work; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and directs the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of assigned staff.
Maintaining accountability and compliance with all applicable Agency, state, and federal requirements, guidelines, and regulations.
Ensuring key performance indicators are developed to ensure quality outcomes and monitors trends to ensure continuous improvement on KPIs; champions design of new processes, programs, initiatives, and efforts to meet targets and Agency goals.
Partnering with colleagues across the Program Management Office to ensure that agency risk management builds the foundation for quality management and internal audit.
Developing and maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders including peer leaders, consultants, contractors, Agency partners, federal, state, and local officials, and Sound Transit Board members as needed.
Serving as an internal consultant to executive leadership, in the areas of quality management, internal audit, and regulatory compliance.
Translating Agency organizational goals and strategies into team goals and objectives with action plans.
Developing and providing recommendations to Agency executive leadership regarding various issues and reports on outcomes.
Leading and championing continuous improvement efforts across the division, department, and Agency.
Maintaining awareness of latest industry trends and development in the quality management and internal audit fields and explores incorporation of new developments and standards of excellence as appropriate.
Evaluating and documenting the effectiveness of the quality management system and leads changes/advances to improve outcomes.
Championing and modeling Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
Contributing to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
Following Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities.
Integrating sustainability into everyday business practices.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health Benefits: 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.
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 discount.
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.
Work-life balance.
Opportunities for professional development.
Recognition from your colleagues.