Deputy Executive Director-Strategic Partnerships

About the role

The Deputy Executive Director – Strategic Partnerships (DED) plays a pivotal role in positioning Sound Transit as a trusted voice locally, regionally, and nationally. This role involves leading the development and implementation of long-term public-facing partnerships and strategic initiatives, aligning with the agency’s overall external affairs strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements long-term public-facing partnerships and strategic initiatives in collaboration with executive leadership, aligned with the agency’s overall external affairs strategy.
• Led efforts to identify strategic opportunities that enhance and expand the agency’s reputation – approaches initiatives based on their substance, sustainability, and expected impact.
• Identifies, cultivates, and manages high-value partnerships with private sector organizations, academic institutions, and non-governmental entities aligned with Sound Transit’s mission, vision, and values.
• Establishes, develops, and sustains the programs and accountabilities within the division, including powerfully articulating its unique purpose, accountabilities, and goals, defining service offerings, and creating role clarity.
• Leverages creative thinking and a comprehensive understanding of multi-disciplinary communications functions to help lead Sound Transit to become a highly visible, trusted, and influential organization.
• Drives initiatives that build Sound Transit’s profile as an opinion leader, including executive visibility, speaking engagements, policy forums, and industry coalitions.
• Acts as a strategic leader within OSI to ensure efficient and high-quality execution of major external-facing initiatives, through efficient business processes, comprehensive planning, and collaborative decision making.
• Serves as key partner to the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) by recommending strategic direction and establishing goals, metrics, and priorities for the Strategic Partnerships Division.
• Supports and serves as key partner to the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) by recommending strategic direction and establishing goals, metrics, and priorities for the Strategic Partnerships Division.
• Manages and leads the day-to-day operation of the division, including responsibility for: budget development and performance, personnel management, overall strategic direction, work plan execution, and compliance with Agency policies and business practices.
• Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the department and all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary.
• Elevates and champions the work of the teams in the division; acts as a subject matter expert when representing the work of the group with peers; supports team leaders to grow, evolve, and adapt their functions to meet new needs and challenges with the organization.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in Communications, Public Affairs, External Affairs, or a business-related field.
• Ten years of progressive achievement in delivering complex cross-functional communication campaigns or external affairs initiatives; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience; including in progressively senior roles, in addition to experiences in developing and managing budgets; and designing and executing long-term strategic plans.

Qualifications

• Expertise in developing, executing, and evaluating strategic plans and bespoke initiatives.
• Expertise in process and program development for large complex organizations.
• Knowledge of social, political, and environmental issues influencing transportation programs.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of communications disciplines including marketing, brand management, storytelling, public relations, and thought/opinion leadership.
• Proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges using analytical and evidence-based reasoning.
• Ability to analyze information, interpret complex data, and make sound judgments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and functions.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Proficiency in managing multiple large, complex projects, timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Skills

• Experience working within the transit industry or other public sectors.

Benefits

• Sound Transit offers a competitive benefits package, including:
• 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% 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.
• 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.

Pay

Salary range is $157k to $297k, with a midpoint of $227k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity, and market.

Schedule

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