Deputy Executive Director-Community Development Office

Salary range is $171,000 to $325,000, with a midpoint of $248,000. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity, and market.

Benefits

• Health Benefits: Two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan 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% employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit.
  • 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee-only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: 25 days annually, increasing at four, eight, and twelve years of service. Additional days for director-level employees and above. 12 paid holidays, up to 2 paid floating holidays, and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: Free for all full-time employees.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.

About the Role

Under general direction of the Chief Planning and Development Officer, leads and administers Sound Transit’s Community Development division, including setting strategic direction for its transit-oriented development (TOD), joint development, community activation, and related programs. Oversees the development and disposition of the agency’s excess property portfolio and executes transit-oriented, joint development, and other real estate transactions using Sound Transit properties.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the staff work of the Community Development Office, including TOD and Joint Development teams, community activation, and other efforts; assigns work activities, coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work.
• Supports the Chief Planning and Development Officer in developing strategic direction for and oversight of the agency’s Community Development workplan; directs TOD and joint development programs and property disposition functions to ensure compliance with equitable TOD policy and federal, state, and Sound Transit policies.
• Ensures active, ongoing coordination with Sound Transit staff on capital delivery projects to maximize TOD and related community development outcomes within the capital program.
• Supports local government and community partners in achieving TOD and related outcomes around Sound Transit stations and services, leveraging staff and consultant expertise to align local zoning and development regulations with TOD outcomes.
• Oversees the agency’s community partnerships around TOD and maintains strong working relationships with planning and economic development leaders across the region.
• Advances community development projects to increase transit ridership, revenue generation, economic development, and vibrant station areas with diverse housing options, prioritizing affordability and mixed uses.
• Ensures integration of program priorities into project development at the corridor level; provides technical support and participates in local, regional, and state initiatives to improve land use and transit connectivity.
• Provides independent, strategic advice to Sound Transit leadership on planning and real estate issues; directs market studies and feasibility analysis; summarizes findings and provides recommendations to leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Oversees preparation of program reports for executive leadership, the state legislature, the agency’s Board of Directors, and external audiences; implements the Community Development Office’s TOD Strategy by identifying the development pipeline, establishing annual goals, and reporting on metrics.
• Coordinates with and provides strategic support for real estate functions, including market capacity, appraisal, acquisition, and property or asset management.
• Administers and manages consultant assignments in support of the Community Development Office and for a variety of internal clients; participates on agency or external committees to address broader initiatives.
• Negotiates complex real estate and development transactions for property on and adjacent to Sound Transit facilities (stations, auxiliary spaces, guideways, and rails), including obtaining rights needed for long-term operations and maintenance.
• 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.
• Follows agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Integrates sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Real Estate, Urban Geography, or a closely related field.
• Ten years of progressive experience managing complex real estate, planning, and TOD projects and programs, including hands-on expertise with real estate development types, capital projects, right-of-way acquisition, project negotiation, community planning, and building construction.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience.

Skills

• Practicing understanding of core principles of urban planning and urban land economics, including development planning, transportation planning, and equitable community engagement.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of transit-oriented and joint development real estate project transactions, real estate acquisition, relocation, property management, and disposition.
• Real estate property principles and practices related to appraisal, acquisition, management, and sale or lease of public real property assets.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration, economic development, and project management.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Negotiation principles and practices.
• Principles of business letter writing, report preparation, and customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and software programs for compiling databases, spreadsheets, and reports.
• Contract management and administration.
• Managing large, complex projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Best practices in managing a diverse staff, including performance management, maintaining confidentiality, and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.
• Developing and monitoring program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.

Schedule

Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in the office a minimum of 3 days per week.