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Executive Director - Government & Community Relations
Executive Director - Government & Community RelationsST Public Branding • Seattle, WA, US
Executive Director - Government & Community Relations

Executive Director - Government & Community Relations

ST Public Branding • Seattle, WA, US
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Executive Director - Government & Community Relations

Salary range is $200k to $450k, with a midpoint of $325k. 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 : Under general direction from the Chief Executive Officer and Agency Chief of Staff, the Executive Director - Government & Community Relations plans, directs and manages the activities of the Government and Community Relations (GCR) Team, designs and performs strategic outreach and advocacy with Sound Transit Board members, other government representatives and external partner organizations to further advance the mission and goals of Sound Transit. Manages and develops GCR team members for advancing system expansion, service delivery, and programmatic engagement. Acts as an advisor and strategist to the CEO, Agency Chief of Staff, and department directors and teams on matters regarding local, tribal, regional and national government affairs, and external relations and serves as an Agency representative. Works very closely with Communications and Board Administration team leadership in order to advance Sound Transit's mission and reputation.

Essential Functions :

  • Directs and manages the work of the Government and Community Relations team, including coordinating and ensuring consistency of strategy, message, and approach related to external engagement in support of the agency's mission, services and capital projects, system expansion and service delivery programmatic engagement.
  • Supports the Chief Executive Officer, Agency Chief of Staff, senior management, ST Board members and ST staff / project teams by providing strategic guidance on emerging issues of political significance as they relate to the Agency's strategic goals.
  • Directs and manages inter-Departmental relationships to ensure deep collaboration with work teams; consistency in leveraging resources to support agency leadership, programs and services; and collecting and surfacing external stakeholder perspectives in support of effective Agency decision-making.
  • Directs the agency's Tribal, federal, and state government relations programs to ensure Tribes, state legislators and staff, Governor's office, WSDOT, and Congressional offices in all corridors stay informed about Sound Transit projects and services, and work to bring the perspectives and interests of those key partners into ST decision-making.
  • Ensures that a robust engagement strategy with Tribal, federal, state, regional and local representatives, community leaders and advocacy groups, is planned and implemented in collaboration with senior management and in alignment with the agency's external engagement, communications and public relations strategies.
  • Ensures that Government Relations functions are strategically aligned to meet agency objectives for capital project delivery, service activation and community relations in operating corridors.
  • Plans, directs and manages the work of assigned staff; may assign work activities and coordinate schedules, projects and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
  • Represents the agency in venues across the region.
  • Supports the agency's work on regional policy matters, including service integration, fares, equity, access and TOD through internal collaboration and strategic external engagement.
  • Oversees and directs the work of the Government and Community Relations team to engage elected officials at various levels of government, their staffs and key regional partners and groups to keep them well-informed of agency activities and priorities and advocate in support of Sound Transit priorities with these partners, under the strategic guidance of the Agency Chief of Staff, the CEO, and senior management.
  • Coaches, trains and supervises staff; coordinates and encourages staff training; manages employee relations and performance reviews; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures performance of the assigned staff and takes appropriate action when necessary; provides direction and counsel to staff; works with the Agency Chief of Staff to develop the work program for the division.
  • 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 Political Science, Public Affairs, Public Administration or closely related field; Twelve years of experience in a political or legislative environment that includes responsibility for public policy, communications, engagement or serving as a policy advisor; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Ten years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

    Required Knowledge and Skills :

  • Operational characteristics, services and activities of Local Puget Sound Government and Community Relations, as well as external engagement in support of capital programs.
  • Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
  • Local, regional and state policy issues.
  • The political and policy arena of the central Puget Sound and Sound Transit's role in the region.
  • Principles and practices of policy development and public administration.
  • Research and analysis on specific political and technical issues related to transportation policy and project development.
  • Analysis of media dynamics and understanding of the role news media plays in public policy.
  • Managing a complex set of projects and issues.
  • Understanding of key ethics and elections rules and laws, which dictate how Government & Community Relations staff can do their job in a dynamic political environment.
  • State and federal environmental law, as they apply to regional transportation projects; how local governments and state governments develop and pass laws; and intricate knowledge of various legal and political processes.
  • Understanding of local codes, motions and ordinances, taxes and taxing authorities and jurisdictions and financial analysis.
  • Applying policy analysis and government relations techniques with specialized knowledge of the transit industry.
  • Ability to use good judgment and adapt to rapidly changing political environment.
  • Ability to produce high quality work quickly, and to work on several projects simultaneously.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cooperatively with other Sound Transit staff and diverse groups and individuals.
  • Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
  • Strong English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
  • Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and statistical databases.
  • Understanding how public policy processes relate to local governments.
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
  • Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
  • Having the willingness to take initiative in the absence of clear direction, and ability to juggle multiple tasks.
  • Using good judgment and adapting to rapidly changing political environment.
  • Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
  • Managing a complex set of projects and issues.
  • State and federal environmental law, as
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