Strategic Planning Manager II

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

King County’s Department of Local Services seeks a Strategic Planning Manager to lead the implementation, coordination, reporting, and metrics for strategic programs in unincorporated areas, partnering with the Roads Division to align projects with long-range plans.

You will guide data analysis, performance reporting, and interagency collaboration, while upholding equity commitments and engaging with executive leadership and community stakeholders. This is a current-employee-only opening.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field, and/or executive-level leadership experience.
• Senior leadership experience, partnering with executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Experience leading long-range strategic planning and data-driven performance systems.
• Experience coordinating with municipalities on capital projects and interlocal agreements.
• Strong commitment to equity and social justice in program delivery.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: manage implementation, coordination, reporting, and metrics for strategic programs.
• Coordinate with Roads Division to ensure timely delivery of projects and communications.
• Ensure operational planning, data analysis, and performance reporting run smoothly.
• Foster interagency coordination and cross-department collaboration.
• Promote equity, continuous improvement, and transparency across programs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Performance metrics

Intergovernmental coordination

Equity & social justice

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field

Job description

This position is only open to current King County employees.

The Department of Local Services Strategic Planning Manager will manage implementation, coordination, reporting, and metrics of strategic programs. This role will partner with the Roads Division in ensuring the delivery of specific projects, providing project-level communications, public outreach, and coordination needed. Role will ensure operational planning, data analysis and performance reporting occur smoothly. This role is contingent upon necessary budget approvals prior to hiring position.

About the Department of Local Services: King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, Road Services, and Permitting divisions, as well as long-range planning, code writing, subarea planning, community service area liaison, economic development and comprehensive planning teams. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas of King County.

Our Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.?

Applying the principles of equity and racial and social justice is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. You will apply these principles to all aspects of your work. Primary responsibilities include:

• Strategic Planning: Ensure the implementation, coordination, reporting, metrics, and communications for the overall KCTD/Connecting King County program, aligning programs across the department with King County long-range strategic and capital plans.

• Project Planning & Performance Management: Drive planning and performance management for transportation district deliverables, utilizing data-informed management tools, metrics, and key performance indicators to monitor, evaluate, and optimize service delivery and resource deployment.
• Interagency & Municipal Coordination: Coordinate and collaborate to inform and align Roads projects across the project portfolio, fostering collaboration, understanding of interlocal agreements, and shared infrastructure goals.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Partner with executive leadership, division directors, and external partners to establish operational standards, streamline interdepartmental workflows, and strengthen transparency and accountability.
• Equity & Continuous Improvement: Promote continuous improvement, innovation, and equity and social justice strategies across all departmental programs, projects, and workforce initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education & Experience:Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field, and/or any equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating executive-level leadership in strategic, operational, and capital program management within a complex public sector environment.
• Leadership & Executive Partnership: Proven experience in a senior leadership role (e.g., Deputy Director, Senior Executive Analyst) overseeing multidisciplinary teams, navigating organizational changes, and partnering directly with executive leadership, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Strategic Planning & Performance Systems:Demonstrated track record of leading long-range strategic planning, developing performance metrics, and implementing data-driven management systems to monitor capital/operational deliverables.
• Intergovernmental & Public Works Collaboration: Experience coordinating with municipal partners, public works/utility departments, or external jurisdictions on joint infrastructure projects, interlocal agreements, or policy initiatives.
• Commitment to Equity: Strong commitment to advancing equity, racial, and social justice within program delivery, workforce culture, and public service.

Desirable Qualifications

• Professional experience within King County or similar large regional local government structures (e.g., Department of Local Services, Permitting, Road Services, or Executive Offices).
• In-depth expertise in municipal capital improvement planning, transportation, utilities, and code enforcement/permitting operations.
• Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), or related field.

Interview Schedule

Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in an interview the week of 11/9/2026.

Who may apply

This recruitment is open to current King County employees only and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months.

Forms and materials

A completed King County Application is required. A resume and supplemental question responses are also required.

Selection process

Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.

Work schedule

The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work on the weekends, or outside of normal business hours. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Emergency Designation Status

This position has been designated Mission-Critical. Those employees who provide, maintain, and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.

For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

Union Membership

This position is not represented.

Teleworking Requirement

We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. The primary onsite location is at King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Work location

The employee will report to work at the King Street Center (201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104). Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities and may be required to report to offices in Unincorporated King County.

Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a King County-issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. King County has a robust collection tools and resources to support working remotely.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Janice Antonio at [e-mail].

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Janice Antonio, HR Analyst, by email at [e-mail], or by phone at 206-263-2003.