Deputy Executive Director-Activation & Commissioning

Sound Transit

Sep 7

Job
Full-time
Expert Level
Construction & Surveying
Engineering
Seattle

AI generated summary

You need a relevant degree, 10 years in project management, 8 years in leadership, experience with light rail activation, strong communication skills, and knowledge of project management principles.
You will coordinate rail activation phases, ensure readiness, manage stakeholder relationships, develop training plans, oversee budgets, and lead teams to support system launch and operational efficiency.

Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or Management, Transportation, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or closely related field
- Ten years in project management of large engineering and/or construction projects, including professional experience in project controls, project planning, and program management responsibilities
- Experience in activation and/or testing of new rail (preferably light rail) extensions
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience
- Valid state driver's license
- Managing and overseeing the progress and critical milestones of light rail and other major capital projects as a project moves from conceptual engineering through final design and construction to Operations and project closeout, applying advanced project management and program development techniques and principles
- Operations, safety certification, maintenance, services, and other requirements of light rail and major capital projects
- Federal and State requirements for testing, certifications, and approvals necessary to open a rail line or other major capital project
- Principles of leadership, management, and mentoring/training
- Critical and strategic problem solving and ability to identify and appropriately respond to sensitive community and organizational issues and concerns
- Strong, clear written and verbal communication
- Relationship management skills
- Ability to develop, manage, communicate, and administer a clear program framework, along with appropriately scaled policies and procedures
- Transit and transportation systems, operations, maintenance, facilities, and planning
- Applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations
- Advanced principles and practices of governmental and capital project budget preparation and administration
- Performing high-level negotiations and collaborating with Sound Transit departments and divisions and with federal and State oversight agencies
- Risk assessment and management
- Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to activation
- Principles of financial management (expenditure tracking, variance identification, and revenue tracking)
- Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities
- Activation and/or testing of new light rail extensions (preferred)

Responsibilities

Implement the rail activation and mobilization phases, ensuring that all necessary resources, personnel, and equipment are ready for the operational launch.
Adhere to Sound Transit guiding documents related to activation including the Rail Activation Plan and related framework documents, including Systems Integrated Testing to ensure that everything is functioning according to specifications.
Coordinating with external and internal stakeholders, facilitate communication, and ensure alignment.
Participate in developing strong project reporting tools to ensure that the mobilization is advancing safely on time, on budget, and compliant with readiness requirements.
Plan and coordinate all Pre-Revenue Operations and start-up efforts.
Provide expertise in logistics, planning, developing, coordination, and scheduling of all operational readiness activities at a portfolio level associated with new or expansion of transit systems and other facility improvement projects.
Work closely with several departments across the agency including Operation, Safety and Security, Asset Management, Quality Assurance, Capital Programs Delivery, Engineering, Customer Experience, Facilities, Passenger Experience, and outside parties including consultants, contractors, and jurisdictional partners to plan and deliver a coordinated program.
Assist the ED - ATO with presentations to ST executives, as required.
Participate in and support planning, ramp up, and execution of the various elements of transit system activation.
Coordinate and/or develop training plans.
Ensure individual system activation schedules are developed and integrated into Project Master Schedules.
Balance 3rd party operator resource requirements across expansion efforts in partnership with broader agency resource requirements.
Develop a comprehensive plan for transition of operations from existing to new facilities covering the areas of, but not limited to Facility Maintenance, Operations, Communications, Finance, Training, and Information Technology.
Work with subject matter experts in Training, Scheduling, Stakeholder Engagement, Testing, Safety and Security Certification, and Service Deployment.
Establish and maintain strategic relationships with senior representatives of key stakeholders including the internal departments of Operations, Safety & Quality Assurance, Capital Programs Delivery, Engineering, Passenger Experience, Facilities, King County – 3rd party operator, and outside parties including consultants, contractors, and jurisdictional to ensure all are engaged in the System Activation Program.
Focus on ensuring technical systems demonstrate readiness to meet their intended purpose.
Provide an effective framework to support staff operations and systematically track components of all systems.
Develop mitigation plans to address any issues or deficiencies in the systems along with corrective action plans.
Perform root cause analysis and continuously apply lessons learned to support continuous improvement.
Acts as a leader for the Asset Transition Office and as a part of the Program Management & Oversight Office reporting through the Program Management & Oversight Officer to the CEO.
Schedule and risk management of activation phase, including active management of an integrated schedule with resource management and forecasting.
Effectively manage relationships to influence achievement of near-term and long-term goals of the division, department, and agency. Includes managing and maintaining a key partnership with our operator, King County.
Empowers team members, removing roadblocks, and ensuring they have the resources needed to be successful, while creating an inclusive, empowered team.
Focuses on relationship building and leads collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders involved in all activities related to activation.
Addresses and resolves sensitive issues, challenges, and conflicts and enables agreement across stakeholders as projects move forward, leveraging influential leadership, and existing activation program structure and decision-making bodies.
Ensures adequate start-up budget and resources for activation activities is considered by PSO, Operations, and the Project teams and is included in all projects’ baseline budget.
Partners with ED - ATO on management of start-up costs and budget, Operations and the project teams; and is included in all projects’ baseline budget.
Leads and facilitates the Rail Activation Committee (RAC) and activation program structure and acts as the liaison between the RAC and the Executive Activation Group.
Serves as the single point of accountability and contact for executive leadership and Federal and State oversight of activation activities.
Provides strategic support to system expansion projects in the planning and design phases, to support future activation and commissioning activities.
Makes recommendation for revenue service date thru the ED - ATO.
Secures and manages consultant contracts if needed to support ST staff.
Provides support to the department, agency, and others on matters as directed.
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.

FAQs

What is the salary range for the Deputy Executive Director-Activation & Commissioning position?

The salary range is $160,000 to $280,000, with a midpoint of $215,000. New hires typically receive between the minimum and midpoint, but may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity, and market factors.

What benefits does Sound Transit offer?

Sound Transit offers a competitive benefits package that includes health benefits (medical, dental, and vision), long-term disability and life insurance, an employee assistance program, retirement plans (401a and 457b), paid time off, parental leave, pet insurance, an ORCA card, tuition reimbursement, and inclusive reproductive health support services.

What are the essential functions of the Deputy Executive Director-Activation & Commissioning?

Essential functions include implementing rail activation and mobilization phases, adhering to activation plans, coordinating with stakeholders, providing logistics expertise, and managing relationships across departments to ensure operational readiness and successful asset activation.

What qualifications are required for this position?

A bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Transportation, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field is required, along with ten years of project management experience in large engineering and/or construction projects, including experience in activation/testing of new rail extensions. Eight years of leadership and budget management experience is also necessary.

Is there any required certification for this role?

Yes, a valid state driver's license is required as this role includes performing inspections on active construction sites and driving an agency vehicle.

What skills are necessary for the Deputy Executive Director position?

Necessary skills include project management and program development, operations and safety certification knowledge, strong communication and relationship management skills, critical problem-solving abilities, and knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

What type of work environment should I expect in this position?

The work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment, with occasional exposure to dangerous machinery, extreme weather, and physical tasks associated with construction sites.

Will I be required to work on weekends or night shifts?

Yes, the position may require on-call work and weekend or night shifts to respond to situations in the field.

What is the role of the Deputy Executive Director regarding community engagement?

The Deputy Executive Director will focus on relationship building and collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders involved in activation activities, addressing and resolving sensitive issues, and ensuring stakeholder engagement throughout the activation process.

Does Sound Transit promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

Yes, Sound Transit champions and models core values related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to create an inclusive workplace in alignment with their Equity & Inclusion Policy.

Sound Transit

Connecting more people to more places.

Transportation

Industry

501-1000

Employees

1996

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Sound Transit is transforming how the Central Puget Sound region moves by planning, building and operating regional transit systems that give millions of riders an alternative to sitting in traffic. As the agency prepares for nearly a million new Central Puget Sound residents by 2040, transit services are expanding to meet today’s growing needs. Thanks to voter approval of the largest mass transit expansion in the region’s history, Sound Transit’s light rail system will grow to four times the size it is today. When complete, the 116-mile light rail system will stretch from Everett to Tacoma and connect major job and population centers in Seattle including South Lake Union, Seattle Center, Ballard and West Seattle. It will also extend east to Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah and Mercer Island. As Sound Transit grows, we seek innovative, technical and creative professionals who are ready to come on board and make a difference. Career opportunities include information technology, finance, construction management and engineering positions. Apply today at www.soundtransit.org/jobs.