Design Manager

SoundTransit; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sound Transit is seeking a senior Design Manager to lead and coordinate the delivery of design elements for light rail, heavy rail, and related transit projects within the Capital Delivery Department.

You will guide design consultant teams, coordinate with Operations, IT, and other departments, and ensure quality, compliance, and on-time delivery across civil, architectural, and urban design disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• Five years of experience in civil/structural engineering design and construction.
• Leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience, preferably in rail or transit.

Responsibilities

• Leads a technical team of subject matter experts and inspires creativity to solve design problems.
• Supervises, coaches, trains and motivates staff; supports workforce planning for the project.
• Manages multiple smaller scale transit-related designs across architecture, civil, traffic, track, and more.
• Provides coordination with Operations, Passenger Experience, PMO, and IT.
• Administers design consultant contracts, SCOPES OF WORK, design reviews, budgets, schedules, and risk assessments.
• Accountable for design submission resolution and collaboration with stakeholders.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Contract management

Communication

Public speaking

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general management of the Capital Delivery Department and reports to the Project or Design Director while leading, managing and coordinating the delivery of design elements of buildings, stations, and other light rail, heavy passenger rail projects or bus projects within the Capital Delivery Department. This leadership role requires providing oversight of and instruction to design consultant teams and close coordination with the Sound Transit Operations, Engineering, Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, Safety, third parties, and Quality Staff. Primary function ensures delivery of value and quality of design to fulfill the agency's mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Leads a technical team of subject matter experts and inspires creativity to solve design problems.
• Supervises, coaches, trains and motivates staff; Supports work force planning efforts for the project.
• Manages multiple smaller scale transit related designs including, architectural, civil, traffic, track, structural, geotechnical, landscaping, ventilation, station electrical, lighting, transit-oriented development, and urban design efforts, managing work teams and coordinating between work efforts of multiple design teams and multiple engineering subject matter experts.
• Provides cross departmental program, design and requirements coordination with Operations, Passenger Experience, the Project Management Office, and IT.
• Administration and management of design consultant contracts, including developing scopes of work for professional services, peer reviews, design reviews, contract packaging, schedules, budgets, construction support, and risk assessments.
• Accountable for technical resolution of milestone design submission comments through collaboration with project design teams and stakeholders.
• Supports the development, negotiation of agreements, and permits with third parties, including state and local agencies, utilities, and private property owners, as required for the delivery of the projects.
• Accountable for design support during construction including design contract management, recommendation of error and omissions, resolution of non-conformance issues related to design, and change management of design-related issues.
• Provides support to the department/division and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of internal boards, commissions, and committees.
• Prepares staff reports and other necessary correspondence to Sound Transit leadership including Board and Executive leadership.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings.
• Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.
• Ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, or Architecture, or related field. Five years of experience in civil/structural engineering design and construction; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience, preferably in a rail or transit related environment.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Professional Civil Engineer license or Professional Architect license issued by the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced understanding of principles and practices of managing profession design services and project design development.
• Strong knowledge of application of Federal, State, and local policies, laws and codes and regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of principles of project management.
• Operations, services, and activities of transit engineering, site civil and construction programs.
• Obtaining design consulting services and contracting methods including developing scopes of work, reports, studies, cost estimates, plans, and specifications.
• Contract and procurement strategies and alternative contract forms such as GCCM and (progressive) design-build and associated management principles.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to concisely and accurately convey technical information to others.
• Strong public speaking skills and the ability to represent the Agency at public meetings and Sound Transit Executive Leadership and Board meetings.
• Supervisory and team leadership skills.
• Performing negotiations and partnering with local jurisdictions and agencies, utilities, contractors, and community groups.
• Preparing, reviewing, interpreting, analyzing, and modifying complex engineering plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, and engineering reports for conformance to professional standards and approved budgets.
• Applying advanced project management and contract management techniques and principles.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Excellent ability to collaborate with others by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate effective time management skills.
• Ability to effectively manage, prioritize, and delegate workload among assigned resources.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines and adjust to changing priorities.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office a minimum of 3 days per week.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.