Senior Program Manager - Strategic Initiatives

Salary range is $87k to $191k, with a midpoint of $139k.  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 Project Management Office (PMO) is a headquarters-style department at Sound Transit and houses key agency functions including enterprise quality, safety, controls, internal audit, engineering, and asset transition. Under general direction from the Chief of Staff – PMO, the Senior Program Manager leads high-impact, cross-departmental initiatives to strengthen the department’s impact and organizational culture. This role serves as strategic advisor to the Deputy CEO and Chief of Staff team. 

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for leading projects and strategic initiatives that advance cultural transformation, executive communications, organizational health and vibrancy, and leadership effectiveness. Working with the Chief of Staff team and department leaders, this role supports defining, aligning, and integrating work across all divisions to maximize organizational efficiency and ensure a clear strategic focus for the department. 

The Senior Program Manager operates with a high degree of autonomy, discretion, and visibility, managing complex projects and partnerships that span multiple divisions. As a trusted partner to the department’s Deputy CEO and Chief of Staff, this role aligns department initiatives with agency priorities and fosters a connected, inclusive, and high-performing organization.

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.

• Lead the department’s communications and reporting strategy, including to the Board of Directors (and Committees of the Board), CEO Office, and peer departments. This work includes implementing and developing a comprehensive communications strategy, such as finessing report language, presentations, speaking points, and managing deliverables.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to Deputy CEO and Chief of Staff on department change management best practices and strategies to drive organizational adoption including leadership alignment, culture transformation, and leadership team development.
• Serve as partner to the department Chief of Staff team by providing candid, high-level advice, and policy recommendations on a wide variety of programs, issues, and initiatives requiring Deputy CEO attention or decision. 
• Partner with Chief of Staff team Business Manager(s) to oversee and advise process consistency, audits, and task order management and processing.
• Participate and provide direction on agencywide initiatives, such as business process improvement or new system implementations; represents PMO process requirements to ensure compliance including internal contr