Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Administrator

State of Washington; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Interstate Bridge Replacement Program seeks an accomplished executive to lead a bi-state transportation megaprogram with Washington and Oregon partners. The role directs strategic planning, budgeting, risk management, and policy alignment across agencies and stakeholders.

The successful candidate will steward a multibillion-dollar investment, build durable partnerships, and deliver transparent outcomes for the public, ensuring equity and continuous program improvement across jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Executive-level leadership experience for large, complex infrastructure programs.
• Ability to translate strategy into program execution and governance.
• Proven track record managing multi-agency partnerships with public accountability.
• Strong political acumen and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience applying data, metrics, and risk tools to guide decisions.
• Commitment to equity, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the bi-state IBR Program, ensuring delivery within scope, schedule, budget, and policy requirements.
• Direct comprehensive program management across planning, budgeting, controls, and performance monitoring.
• Lead bi-state governance and policy coordination, advancing legislative engagement and policy implementations.
• Guide complex decision-making across legal, environmental, engineering, financial, social, and political domains.
• Represent the program to elected officials, tribal governments, communities, industry, and the media.
• Oversee contractor and risk management, including large-scale professional services and construction-related agreements.
• Coordinate personnel and processes across WSDOT, ODOT, partner agencies, and blended delivery teams to achieve objectives.
• Build and lead a high-performing, inclusive organization with a culture of transparency and accountability.

Skills

Executive program leadership

Major capital program delivery

Strategic planning

Governance & policy coordination

Data-driven oversight

Intergovernmental leadership

Job description

The original close date for this job posting may be extended to ensure we establish a competitive applicant pool.

The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program

The Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program is one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the country. This bi-state mega program will transform five miles of the I-5 corridor between Washington and Oregon. As the only continuous north-south freeway on the West Coast connecting Canada to Mexico, this crossing carries more than $71 million in freight every day and serves as a critical link for regional and national commerce. The program will replace the aging bridge, reconfigure seven interchanges, extend light rail across the Columbia River, and enhance active transportation, transforming mobility for generations.

The Opportunity

The Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation (WSDOT and ODOT) are seeking a strategic executive leader with strong political acumen, financial discipline, and the ability to build durable partnerships across jurisdictions to lead the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program. The IBR Program Administrator serves as the primary executive for one of the nation’s most complex bi-state transportation megaprograms, providing strategic direction and full operational oversight.

Accountable to both WSDOT and ODOT leadership, this role guides a $6+ billion investment through planning, policy development, funding strategy, risk management, and eventual construction to ensure delivery with transparency, fiscal stewardship, and alignment with federal, state, and bi-state requirements. The Program Administrator leads multidisciplinary teams, oversees significant public funds and consultant contracts, shapes legislative and policy strategy, and serves as the program’s primary ambassador to elected officials, community leaders, industry partners, and the public.

Guided by a rare bi-state governance structure that includes both Governors, state legislatures, transportation agency leaders, cities, transit agencies, ports, and metropolitan planning organizations, IBR stands at the intersection of infrastructure delivery, public policy, and economic vitality. Far more than a bridge project - IBR is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape how two states connect, move, and grow.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Program Administrator will:

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the bi-state IBR Program, defining objectives and ensuring delivery aligned with scope, schedule, budget, statutory requirements, and megaprogram best practices.
• Direct comprehensive program management, including transportation planning, budgeting, fiscal oversight, project controls, performance monitoring, and strategic resource allocation across multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams.
• Lead bi-state governance and policy coordination, identifying regulatory or policy barriers, advancing legislative and Transportation Commission engagement, and overseeing development and implementation of IBR policies and procedures.
• Guide complex decision-making and problem-solving across legal, environmental, engineering, financial, social, and political domains to maintain program momentum and public trust.
• Serve as the primary representative and spokesperson for the program, building durable partnerships with elected officials, tribal governments, community organizations, industry leaders, and the media.
• Oversee consultant, contract, and risk management functions, including large-scale professional services and construction-related agreements, mitigation strategies, and coordination with legal counsel.
• Ensure effective coordination of personnel, systems, and processes across WSDOT, ODOT, partner agencies, and blended delivery teams to achieve program objectives.
• Build and lead a high-performing, inclusive organization, exercising supervisory authority, promoting workforce development and accountability, and fostering a culture of transparency, equity, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

• Executive Program Leadership:Ability to provide executive-level leadership and strategic direction for large, complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure programs operating under significant fiscal, operational, and public accountability. Demonstrates the ability to lead diverse teams, promote equity and inclusion, respond effectively to stakeholder concerns, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Major Capital Program Delivery:Experience in directing or overseeing major capital infrastructure programs through environmental review, design, construction, and implementation while maintaining alignment with scope, schedule, and budget.
• Strategic Planning & Governance:Demonstrates the ability to develop and implement strategic plans, policies, procedures, and organizational frameworks that guide program execution and ensure statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Data-Driven Program Oversight:Demonstrates the ability to apply performance metrics, financial analysis, and risk assessment tools to guide program direction and support transparent decision-making.
• Multi-Agency & Intergovernmental Leadership:Experience in leading multi-agency coordination efforts or intergovernmental partnerships involving high levels of public oversight and political sensitivity.
• Political Acumen & Executive Engagement