Deputy Secretary for Highway and Multimodal Delivery

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

WSDOT is seeking a mission-driven leader to serve as Deputy Secretary and principal operating and delivery officer for the state’s multimodal and highway transportation system. As a key member of the Secretary’s executive leadership team, this role provides agency-wide leadership in developing and implementing strategies, policies, and performance objectives that guide the planning, delivery, and operation of transportation programs across a large, complex organization. The Deputy Secretary leads executive managers in executing WSDOT’s strategic plan, advancing the agency’s vision, mission, and values, and ensuring the transportation system is safe, reliable, and maintained in a state of good repair despite funding constraints. In partnership with executive leadership, this role oversees near-term operations while shaping a long-term vision that supports sustainable funding, infrastructure preservation, system modernization, and the integration of innovative technologies. The Deputy Secretary also ensures alignment with legislative and strategic goals, including advancing equity, economic development, and efficient, environmentally responsible transportation solutions, while promoting Lean practices to enhance organizational effectiveness. We are looking for a passionate, action-oriented leader with an innovative approach to operational management to fill this critical role.

Requirements

Executive Leadership & Organizational Management: Ability to lead a complex, multi-program organization by setting strategic direction, directing leaders and managers, building high-performing teams, and implementing effective and innovative operational approaches.
Strategic Agility & Innovation: Demonstrated the ability to identify emerging opportunities, adapt programs to changing conditions, and implement innovative solutions within complex and evolving organizational environments.
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development: Ability to serve as an effective spokesperson and build, sustain, and strengthen partnerships across governmental, tribal, non-profit, private sector, and community organizations to advance shared transportation and public-interest goals.
Transportation Systems & Infrastructure Knowledge: Working knowledge of multimodal transportation systems, capital project delivery, maintenance and preservation practices, and the intersection of transportation with land use, community, and economic development.
Financial & Fiscal Management: Ability to oversee complex program budgets and apply sound fiscal management practices, including budget development, resource allocation, and financial accountability across a multi-functional organization.
Data-Driven Decision Making & Performance Management: Ability to use data and performance metrics to inform priorities, communicate objectives, establish performance measures, and evaluate outcomes to drive continuous improvement.
Executive Communication & Influence: Ability to communicate clearly, persuasively, and effectively with diverse audiences, including elected officials, community members, and agency staff, through written, verbal, and facilitated communication.
Equity & Inclusive Leadership : Commitment to advancing equitable outcomes by engaging diverse partners, centering underrepresented voices, and reducing barriers to participation through inclusive leadership practices.
Process Improvement & Operational Excellence: Knowledge of and ability to apply process improvement principles, including performance management, efficiency strategies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Human Resource & Labor Relations Leadership: Knowledge of contemporary human resource practices, including workforce planning, performance management, and labor relations, with the ability to support and lead labor-management processes.
Adaptive Leadership & Change Management : Demonstrated ability to lead through change by adapting strategies, guiding organizational transformation, and implementing solutions in complex and dynamic environments.
Growth Mindset & Service-Oriented: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Takes action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Transportation Systems Expertise: Senior-level experience with and advanced knowledge of state or regional transportation systems, including highways, transit, active transportation, and freight, as well as the associated policy, regulatory, and funding frameworks.
Capital Program Delivery & Oversight: Experience overseeing or contributing to the delivery of large, complex capital programs (e.g., mega programs, corridor programs, or system-wide investments), including risk management, stakeholder coordination and regulatory compliance.
Executive Policy Advising: Experience advising elected officials or senior executives on complex, high-visibility policy, infrastructure or community issues, including navigating politically sensitive environments.
Emergency Management & Incident Response Leadership: Experience leading organizational response to emergencies, system disruptions or high-profile incidents, including coordination with multiple agencies and public communication.
Emerging Transportation Technologies & Innovation: Familiarity with emerging transportation technologies and innovations (e.g., intelligent transportation systems, electrification, data platforms or automation) and their application to system performance and user experience.
Advanced Analytical & Policy Expertise: Background in transportation planning, engineering, public administration, economics or a related field, or equivalent advanced analytical experience supporting infrastructure or public systems decision-making.

Responsibilities

Provide programmatic leadership and input for all strategic plan implementation processes.
Increase the focus of the organization on the use of transportation demand management, strategies and operational improvements that incorporate smart technology to maximize the operational efficiency and safety of the system.
Identify opportunities for WSDOT to leverage organizational strengths across agency programs to take advantage of new opportunities and/or to address organizational challenges.
Sponsor and champion workforce development and training programs to support staff development throughout the agency.
Lead, coach, develop, and retain WSDOT's high-performance senior management team with an emphasis on developing capacity in strategic analysis planning and program budgeting.
Prepare and submit, in partnership with the Principal Financial Officer, an annual operational budget and capital delivery plan update.
Foster a culture that promotes safety, employee satisfaction, and customer service.
Work to identify both internal and external opportunity gaps and bridge those gaps to reduce disparities.
Serve as a key external representative of WSDOT, building and maintaining strong partnerships with governmental entities, tribal governments, regional and local agencies and partner organizations to advance shared transportation goals.