Director-Capital Delivery Standards & Governance

SoundTransit; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 276,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

Long-Term Disability and Life Ins.

Employee Assistance Program

Retirement Plans

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Pet Insurance

ORCA Card

Tuition Reimbursement

Inclusive Reproductive Health Support

Compensation Based on Market Rates

Job summary

Sound Transit in Seattle seeks a senior leader to direct Capital Delivery policies, governance, and continuous improvement across project lifecycles.

You will partner with PMIS teams and senior stakeholders to ensure standardization, compliance, and alignment with agency objectives, driving consistent, high-quality project delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Eight years of progressively responsible experience in capital program delivery, project controls, standards development, policy and procedure administration, governance, or related functions.
• Six years of progressively responsible leadership experience managing staff, consultants, cross-functional teams, governance initiatives, or major capital program support functions.

Responsibilities

• Direct development, governance, maintenance, and improvement of Capital Delivery policies, standards, and templates.
• Lead the creation and updates of governance documentation and process improvement initiatives.
• Oversee Division 01 specifications, general conditions, SOPs, and related standards.
• Coordinate with PMIS and other stakeholders to integrate policies into project delivery.
• Monitor compliance and drive actions to improve delivery outcomes.
• Present forecasts, status updates, and recommendations to executive leadership.

Skills

Policy governance

Stakeholder collaboration

Leadership

PMIS awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

PMIS

Job description

Salary range is $160k to $276k with a midpoint of $218k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer 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. We also observe 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.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction of the Capital Delivery Department's Transformation Division Executive Director, directs and oversees the development, implementation, governance, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Capital Delivery Department (CDD) policies, procedures, standards, specifications, templates, governance frameworks, and supporting business processes that enable consistent and effective delivery of the Agency's capital program.

Serves as the Department's authority for standards, governance, and continuous improvement, providing leadership for Project Controls Policies and Procedures (PCPPs), Division 01 Specifications, General Conditions, standard operating procedures, and related Capital Delivery standards. Ensures departmental practices are standardized, consistently applied, and aligned with Agency objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Partners with Capital Delivery leadership, Transformation Division functions, Project Management Information System (PMIS) teams, and other Agency stakeholders to integrate policies, procedures, standards, governance requirements, and supporting tools into project delivery processes. Represents Capital Delivery before executive leadership, governance committees, FTA and PMOC representatives, and other stakeholders as required.

Provides highly responsible and complex strategic, technical, and administrative support to the Executive Director of Capital Delivery Transformation.

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.

• Directs the development, implementation, governance, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Capital Delivery Department policies, procedures, standards, manuals, templates, governance frameworks, and business processes supporting the planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout of capital projects.
• Responsible for Department-wide standards, policies, procedures, governance documentation, technical manuals, workflow documentation, process maps, RACI matrices, templates, and process improvement initiatives. Leads and manages the development, implementation, maintenance, and periodic update of these materials across Capital Delivery.
• Serves as the Department owner and steward of Project Controls Policies and Procedures (PCPPs), ensuring policies remain current, effective, compliant, and aligned with agency, state, federal, and FTA requirements.
• Directs the development, maintenance, implementation, and periodic update of Division 01 Specifications, General Conditions, standard operating procedures, templates, guidance documents, governance documentation, and other Capital Delivery standards.
• Establishes and administers governance processes for the creation, review, approval, publication, revision, and retirement of departmental policies, procedures, standards, specifications, and supporting documentation.
• Partners with PMIS leadership, Program & Project Performance, Program & Project Controls, Scheduling/Estimating/Risk/VE, Document Controls, and other business stakeholders to ensure policies, procedures, standards, governance requirements, decision workflows, stage gates, dashboards, reporting requirements, and business processes are effectively integrated into PMIS solutions and supporting business systems.
• Monitors and evaluates implementation of departmental policies, procedures, standards, and governance requirements to ensure consistent interpretation and application across Capital Delivery programs and projects. Ensures any necessary modifications or corrective actions are implemented to mitigate organizational risk and improve delivery outcomes.
• Develops and maintains performance metrics, dashboards, reporting tools, and key performance indicators related to policy compliance, process effectiveness, governance requirements, organizational performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Directs, manages, and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, standards, governance frameworks, and priorities supporting Capital Delivery and larger Agency strategic goals.
• Coordinates with respective CDD divisions, Legal, Procurement, Finance, Program Management Office, Transit Operations, Office of Planning and Development, Quality, and other agency departments and divisions to ensure policies, procedures, standards, specifications, and contractual requirements remain aligned and consistently implemented.
• Maintains centralized repositories, document management systems, knowledge management resources, and departmental platforms that provide access to approved policies, procedures, standards, templates, specifications, guidance documents, and supporting materials.
• Leads Department-wide standardization initiatives to improve consistency, efficiency, transparency, compliance, and project delivery performance across all Capital Delivery programs and projects.
• Develops and administers lessons learned, continuous improvement, and process enhancement programs for Capital Delivery; coordinates, as required with the Program Management Office (PMO) and their Continuous Improvement group (i.e. STEP program) on these related activities.
• Facilitates workshops, assessments, and stakeholder engagement activities to identify and implement improvements to departmental policies, procedures, standards, and business practices.
• Represents Capital Delivery regarding policies, procedures, standards, governance frameworks, business processes, and continuous improvement initiatives. Provides technical expertise and professional judgment regarding the application and implementation of departmental standards and requirements.
• Champions the adoption and effective implementation of Capital Delivery standards, policies, procedures, templates, and governance frameworks across the Department. Influences leaders, project teams, and business partners to promote consistent application of established practices, improve organizational maturity, and support successful project delivery.
• Establishes and administers Capital Delivery governance processes (as required), including decision-making authorities, stage gate reviews, approval workflows, and escalation pathways that support consistent project oversight, accountability, and timely executive decision-making.
• Develops, maintains, and continuously improves Capital Delivery governance frameworks, including decision-making authorities, approval workflows, and escalation pathways. Partners closely with the PMO to align governance frameworks with stage gate reviews and project lifecycle requirements, supporting consistent project oversight, accountability, quality, compliance, and effective project delivery.
• Develops and oversees processes to monitor compliance with departmental policies, procedures, standards, and governance requirements. Evaluates the effectiveness and quality of departmental business processes, identifies systemic issues, recommends corrective actions, and drives continuous improvement to strengthen organizational performance and project delivery outcomes.
• Serves as a primary departmental liaison with FTA representatives, PMOC representatives, consultants, and external agencies regarding policies, procedures, standards, governance frameworks, compliance activities, and process improvement initiatives, unless otherwise directed by the Executive Director.
• Identifies and communicates organizational risk issues and develops recommendations, mitigation strategies, and implementation plans associated with complex business, governance, and project delivery challenges.
• Supports community relations and public information efforts applicable to the Department, Division, and Agency; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Prepares and delivers presentations, briefings, recommendations, and status updates to executive leadership, governance committees, steering committees, review boards, FTA representatives, PMOC representatives, Board committees, and other stakeholders as requested.
• Presents and provides training to diverse audiences including project teams, technical staff, consultants, contractors, and executive leadership regarding policies, procedures, standards, governance requirements, business processes, and supporting tools.
• Directs consultant services supporting standards development, policy administration, governance initiatives, PMIS integration, process improvement, organizational transformation, and related professional services, including scope development, procurement support, contract administration, performance management, and deliverable review.
• Conducts active outreach and participates in industry organizations, forums, conferences, and professional associations focused on project delivery, governance, process improvement, standards development, and organizational excellence. Maintains awareness of emerging industry trends and implements improvements as appropriate.
• Prepares and presents forecasts of funds needed for staffing, consultant support, support services, technology investments, and other resources required to support the Department's standards, governance, and continuous improvement functions.
• Provides support to the Department, Division, and Agency on matters as directed; serves on boards, committees, working groups, and task forces; prepares and presents reports and correspondence; attends and participates in professional meetings; maintains awareness of emerging trends and developments relevant to assigned responsibilities; and ensures policies, procedures, standards, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.
• Provides leadership and direction to assigned staff, consultant resources, and cross-functional working groups responsible for the development and implementation of Capital Delivery policies, procedures, standards, governance frameworks, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• 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 Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Organizational Development, or a related field; and eight years of progressively responsible experience in capital program delivery, project controls, standards development, policy and procedure administration, governance, business process management, PMIS implementation, organizational transformation, or related functions. Six years of progressively responsible leadership experience managing staff, consultants, cross-functional teams, governance initiatives, organizational change efforts, or major capital program support functions required.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Program Management Professional (PMP).

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced principles, practices, and tools related to capital delivery governance, policy administration, technical standards management, and business process management.
• Development, implementation, and administration of Project Controls Policies and Procedures (PCPPs), standard operating procedures, technical manuals, templates, and governance frameworks.
• Administration and management of Division 01 Specifications, General Conditions, technical standards, and supporting contract and delivery documentation.
• Business process mapping, workflow development, process improvement, and organizational standardization methodologies.
• PMIS implementation, business process integration, reporting frameworks, dashboards, and supporting enterprise systems.
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) oversight requirements and Project Management Oversight Contractor (PMOC) coordination practices.
• Operations, services, and activities associated with large-scale capital programs, heavy civil infrastructure, and transit project delivery.
• Advanced principles and practices of program development, governance, administration, and continuous improvement.
• Contract, procurement, and consultant management principles, including administration of professional services agreements.
• Policy, procedure, and standards development and administration.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and adjust to changing organizational needs.
• Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and enterprise applications such as document management systems, PMIS platforms, spreadsheets, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Principles of supervision, training, coaching, and performance evaluation.
• Facilitating collaboration, negotiation, and partnering internally and with local jurisdictions, consultants, contractors, oversight agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with executive leadership, project teams, department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Building consensus among diverse stakeholders with competing priorities.
• Interpreting and administering policies, procedures, standards, specifications, and governance requirements sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other stakeholders.
• Enterprise document management, records