Director of Programs

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Remote; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking a Director of Programs for the Office of Equity to drive policy and systems change across agencies, guiding high-impact programs and teams. This remote role requires travel within Washington and ensures delivery on strategic equity priorities within statutory requirements.

The successful candidate will oversee complex programs, partner with tribal and legislative teams, and align initiatives with the state’s equity goals and operational needs.

Qualifications

• Embed a strategic vision and lead transformational change with significant internal and external coordination, collaboration, and impacts.
• Navigate Washington state budget, contracting, legislative, and interagency processes.
• Lead and supervise others by providing direction and mentoring.
• Manage multiple, complex competing projects or programs simultaneously, with a track record of on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Design or administer programs serving historically marginalized communities with a demonstrated commitment to equity principles.
• Facilitate multiparty governance bodies with competing interests or priorities.
• Translate complex policy and program information into plain language for diverse audiences.
• Build or operate within a formal project management system.
• Take action to learn and grow.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement internal program and projects systems and workflows that navigate policy, community, legislative, and tribal collaboration and engagement, data, communications, accessibility, and program delivery.
• Lead a team of program managers to effectively and successfully manage programs and projects and ensure organizational success.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with community members and organizations and state employees and leaders to ensure effective collaboration and organizational and program success.
• Engage as a member of the Equity Leadership Team, providing expert consultation, analysis, partnership, and advocacy regarding organizational and program effectiveness and success, risk management, collaboration, and office alignment.
• Coordinate with the Leadership Team to collaborate, strategize, and set direction for the office.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy navigation

Program management

Equity focus

Stakeholder governance

Plain language communication

Project management system

Team development

Change coordination

Job description

Note: This recruitment is open until 10/12/2026. Applications will be reviewed daily. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible.

Join Us!

This position is exempt from civil service rules. Exempt recruitments may close at any time without prior notice. It is in your best interest to apply as soon as possible. For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.

As a Director of Programs for the Office of Equity, you will drive policy and systems change to help Washingtonians thrive by working with communities and partners across agencies and sectors to build efficient, effective systems that move Washington for All forward. You’ll lead the team that brings this mission to life by overseeing high-impact, complex programs and guiding a talented group to deliver projects that are timely, strategic, and aligned with statutory requirements and core Equity priorities. This is an exciting opportunity to shape transformative change statewide!

The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $139,992-$150,000 annually.

This is a remote position with schedule flexibility that requires travel in Washington State for meetings, events, and on-site work. The frequency of on-site work varies based on business and operational needs. The Governor’s Office may choose, but is not required, to employ individuals who reside outside of Washington on a case-by-case basis.

Who We Are

The Office of Equity advances policy and systems change (RCW 43.06D.040) to promote a Washington for all. We believe Washingtonians are stronger together and that Washington can be a state where everyone has access to the opportunities, power, and resources (RCW 43.06D.020) they need to thrive. We believe a government of, by, and for the people, where government does its work with people instead of to them, is possible. We exist to advance a government that meets the unique needs of every community in Washington state by collaborating across agencies, branches, and sectors to create efficient and effective systems that advance a Washington for All.

Our Vision

Everyone in Washington State has full access to the opportunities, power, and resources they need to flourish and achieve their full potential.

Our Mission

To promote equitable access to opportunities, power, and resources across state government that reduce disparities and improve outcomes statewide.

Our Values

• Access: Barrier-free environments so all can participate.


• Belonging: Acceptance and support from all, for all.


• Dignity: Honor for the sacred nature of every person.


• Equity: Access to opportunities, power, and resources.


• Justice: Treating people fairly, making things right.


• Love: Selfless and giving, seeking to serve and give to others.


• Ubuntu: I am because we are. We are interconnected.

Duties (Primary Functions)

Design and implement internal program and projects systems and workflows that navigate the intersections of policy, community, legislative, and tribal collaboration and engagement, data, communications, accessibility, and program delivery.

• Develop, implement, evaluate, and improve program, project structure, and process for consistent program and project management that can be tailored to meet specific needs.


• Manage ambiguity, competing deadlines, and multi-partner governance processes, while articulating the long-term vision for EQUITY’s external impact.

Lead a team of program managers to effectively and successfully manage programs and projects and ensure organizational success.

• Lead, direct, and manage program managers in meeting mandates, building long-term strategies that advance project and program metrics, goals, and outcomes through data-driven performance measurement, and ensuring success in achieving the long-term vision and strategic implementation for the program or project.

Establish and maintain effective relationships with community members and organizations and state employees and leaders to ensure effective collaboration and organizational and program success.

• Build effective relationships with agency partners to address concerns, eliminate bureaucratic barriers and siloes, and ensure program success.


• Build and grow relationships with community leaders and partners to ensure programs are built with community voice and priorities.


• In collaboration with the EQUITY Tribal Director, establish genuine relationships with Tribal governments to ensure adherence to government-to-government mandates and agreements.


• In collaboration with the EQUITY legislative team, establish strong relationships with the Washington Legislature to ensure programs meet legislative intent and requirements and ensure organizational success.

Engage as a member of the Equity Leadership Team, providing expert consultation, analysis, partnership, and advocacy regarding organizational and program effectiveness and success, risk management, collaboration, and office alignment.

• Coordinate with the Leadership Team to collaborate, strategize, and set direction for the office.


• Develop strategic work plans and manage workload demands, capacity, and distribution.


• Facilitate collaboration and cohesion within and across teams.

Qualifications

All combinations of experience and higher education relevant to the position, including lived experience, volunteer (paid or unpaid) experience, or professional experience that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work, will be considered.

Fundamental (Required)

You must have the lived, volunteer, or professional experience and/or education that demonstrates your ability to:

1. Embed a strategic vision and lead transformational change with significant internal and external coordination, collaboration, and impacts.


2. Navigate Washington state budget, contracting, legislative, and interagency processes.


3. Lead and supervise others by providing direction and mentoring.


4. Manage multiple, complex competing projects or programs simultaneously, with a track record of on-time, on-budget delivery.


5. Design or administer programs serving historically marginalized communities with a demonstrated commitment to equity principles.


6. Facilitate multiparty governance bodies (ex., advisory boards, work groups, or interagency committees) with competing interests or priorities.


7. Translate complex policy and program information into plain language for diverse audiences.


8. Build or operate within a formal project management system.


9. Take action to learn and grow.


10. Take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition, to be a leader on the Equity Team, you must demonstrate your ability to:

1. Educate others on the underlying context of systemic oppression (past and present) and respond to resistance in a clear and direct manner.


2. Lead change to remove barriers in policies, processes, and practices with unwavering principles and without regard for personal comfort.


3. Advocate for the lived experiences, perspectives, and needs of others to improve government services and their impact on people and communities.


4. Model cultural competence, humility, and responsiveness and cultivate a culture of belonging where each person feels their authentic self is accepted, respected, and reflected.

Added Value (Preferred)

Additional lived, volunteer or professional experience and/or education that demonstrates your ability to:

1. Comfortably manage ambiguity, shifting priorities, and competing partner demands without losing sight of long‑term goals.


2. Demonstrate sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive community or interagency matters.


3. Work effectively across agencies on politically sensitive, high‑visibility issues.

If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

All applicants will be notified of their status in our process. The Office of Equity will contact the selected individuals directly to engage in our hiring process. For questions about this recruitment or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email Jon Woodbury at [e-mail]. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

The Office of Equity is an equal opportunity employer. We work to create a workplace environment that honors and respects the sacred nature of each individual’s personhood. Racial and ethnic members of the global majority, women, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and Vietnam-era veterans or veterans who are disabled are encouraged to apply. If you need accommodations, assistance with the application process, or would like to receive this job announcement in an alternative format, please call 360-725-0158 or dial 711 to reach the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf system.

This position is exempt from civil service rules. For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.