Deputy Director-Transformation Program and Project Performance

Salary range is $125k to $230k, with a midpoint of $170k. 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.
• 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:

The Deputy Director will lead program and project reporting, performance metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs) within the Capital Delivery Department's Transformation Office. This position is responsible for developing and implementing reporting strategies, tracking performance metrics, and ensuring compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations while aligning with strategic goals and objectives. This position will work closely across the project teams implementing the next phase of Sound Transit's capital program, with a value over $60 billion. This role will work closely with senior leadership to manage performance, ensure transparent and accurate internal and external reporting, and support alignment with overall organizational goals, regulatory standards, and high operational excellence.

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.

• Program & Project Reporting - Oversee the development, implementation, and management of reporting systems for all capital projects. Ensure compliance with FTA guidelines and federal reporting requirements, delivering timely, accurate, and comprehensive reports on project status, progress, risks, issues, and outcomes.
• FTA Compliance - Ensure all internal and external reporting aligns with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements, including financial reporting standards, project tracking, and National Transit Database (NTD) compliance.
• Metrics and KPIs Development - Lead the creation and refinement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics to track program and project success. Establish benchmarks to measure capital delivery effectiveness while ensuring adherence to FTA standards.
• Data Analysis and Decision Support - Leverage data analytics tools and methodologies to provide insights and decision support to senior leadership.
• Process Improvement - Identify areas for process improvements within the project and project delivery lifecycle. Drive initiatives that improve efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and FTA compliance across the Capital Delivery Department.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Serve as a liaison between the Transformation Office and internal stakeholders, including Project Managers, Operations, Finance, and Executive Leadership. Ensure alignment on project goals, reporting standards, and FTA compliance.
• Leadership and Team Development - Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to team members. Develop training materials on KPIs and performance metrics to ensure alignment with evolving reporting and compliance requirements.
• Internal & External Presentations - Deliver clear and effective presentations to leadership and external stakeholders. Communicate project status, KPIs, and data-driven insights to support decision-making and strategic alignment.
• Relationship Building - Foster strong relationships across departments and with external stakeholders to ensure clear communication and alignment on project goals, reporting expectations, and performance metrics.
• Reporting and Partnership - Regularly report KPIs and progress updates to the Account Officer (AO), ensuring strong collaboration and alignment on performance management and reporting.
• External Engagement - Represent the organization in meetings with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and other external bodies. Strengthen relationships to maintain compliance with regulatory and reporting standards.
• Compliance & Best Practices - Ensure adherence to industry best practices, FTA regulatory requirements, and evolving standards for project performance tracking and reporting. Stay informed on industry trends and advancements in reporting technologies.
• 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: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business or related field; Six years of experience in the AEC industry with a demonstrated background in program management, project delivery, reporting, and performance metrics; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Four years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management. Experience in public sector infrastructure projects is highly desirable.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Project Management: PMP certification or equivalent is preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Compliance Knowledge: deep understanding of reporting requirements, including compliance with the external requirements.
• Leadership: Proven experience in leading teams, including the ability to inspire, develop, and manage a high-performing team
• Technical Skills: Expertise in project management tools, data analytics platforms, and reporting software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Tableau, Power BI, etc.)
• Strong Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex data in a clear, concise manner to a variety of stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking: Ability to assess and address complex challenges and provide innovative solutions to improve program and project outcomes.
• Knowledge of Metrics & KPIs: Strong understanding of the development and implementation of KPIs, metrics, and performance tracking systems within capital project delivery.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Understanding FTA requirements or similar is a plus.
• Understanding of key performance indicators, responsibility for tracking and measuring is a plus.
• Financial proficiency related to project budgets, forecasts and estimates.
• Understanding of design and construction schedules.
• Able to track contractor safety performance.
• Ability to write detailed and complex reports and performance data.
• Create presentations on program performance and present internally and externally.
• Synthesize and collect raw data to create meaningful metrics.
• Create dashboards for transparent reporting.
• Stays audit ready and performs all duties following document control requirements.
• Collaborates across agency departments.
• Experience working across multiple project teams to gather data and create performance metrics.
• Creates trending reports to forecast performance.
• Uses historical performance data to inform forecasts.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• 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.