Capital Division Director

King County Metro is seeking a visionary executive leader to serve as our next Capital Division Director—a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of North America’s leading public transportation systems.  Metro is in the midst of a transformational period. We are expanding service, delivering major capital investments, opening new operating facilities, modernizing technology and preparing our system to meet the needs of a rapidly growing region. The Capital Division Director will play a central role in turning that vision into reality. 

Reporting directly to the General Manager and serving as a member of Metro’s executive leadership team, the Capital Division Director leads the planning, delivery and stewardship of billions of dollars in capital investments that will define how people move throughout King County for decades to come.  

This is more than a capital delivery role, it is an opportunity to help build a transportation system that expands opportunity, connects communities, advances climate goals and supports one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. 

The successful candidate will combine strategic vision, executive leadership and a proven record of delivering complex infrastructure programs. They will be equally comfortable setting long-term direction, navigating public-sector governance, cultivating partnerships and leading large multidisciplinary teams through change and growth. 

The Capital Division Director oversees the teams responsible for planning, prioritizing, delivering and managing Metro’s capital portfolio, ensuring that critical investments in facilities, fleet, technology and infrastructure align with the agency’s long-range vision and operational needs. This division includes: 

• Capital Planning & Portfolio Management leads the development and stewardship of Metro’s Capital Improvement Program, ensuring investments in fleet, infrastructure and technology are strategically prioritized and aligned with service, operational and sustainability goals.  
• Capital Project Delivery Section delivers Metro’s growing portfolio of capital projects, overseeing planning, design, construction and implementation while partnering closely with operational and maintenance teams as well as external partners to ensure projects meet business needs and customer expectations. 
• Capital Central Services Section provides the standards, systems, data and organization support that enable efficient, accountable and sustainable delivery of Metro’s capital program.  
• Transit Fleet Procurement & Contract Management leads the acquisition and lifecycle management of Metro’s vehicle fleet, including buses, passenger vessels, support vehicles and emerging transportation technologies.  
• Transit Oriented Development (TOD) advances innovative partnerships and development opportunities that maximize the value of Metro’s assets, support community development and create lasting public benefit. 

What you’ll lead: 

As Capital Division Director, you will help guide Metro through one of the most ambitions periods of investment in its history. You will work alongside agency leadership, employees, labor partners, elected officials, community organizations and regional stakeholders to:  

• Deliver a multi-billion-dollar capital program that supports a growing transit system. 
• Develop and modernize transit bases, facilities and supporting infrastructure.  
• Build and support high-performing teams capable of delivering complex programs. 
• Advance equity, safety, accessibility, sustainability and economic opportunity across King County. 

Why King County Metro 

Metro is recognized nationally for innovation, operational excellence, sustainability leadership and a deep commitment to serving communities. Every day, our employees connect hundreds of thousands of people to jobs, education, healthcare and opportunity.  

The next Capital Division Director will have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy—not only through the projects they deliver, but through the communities they connect, the workforce they develop and the future they help create.  

This recruitment will be used to fill 1 Career Service position. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, Special Duty Assignment, TLT (Term Limited Temporary) or STT (Short Term Temporary) vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Strategic Leadership & Vision 

• Set and articulate a clear, future-oriented vision for the capital division, aligned with King County Metro’s strategic objectives and regional growth. 
• Drive organizational change and foster a culture of innovation, safety, and continuous improvement. 
• Direct teams across planning, delivery, central services, fleet procurement and transit-oriented development, reporting to the General Manager. 

Capital Project & Program Management 

• Oversee planning, design, engineering, construction, and commissioning of complex, large-scale capital projects. 
• Implement best-in-class project management methodologies to ensure delivery on time, within budget, and to specification. 

Financial Stewardship & Budget Oversight 

• Develop, manage, and report on large capital budgets with transparency and fiscal responsibility. 
• Collaborate with other Metro leaders to innovate and develop funding strategies, including federal, state, local, and public/private partnerships. 
• Oversee a multi-billion-dollar capital program supporting transit system expansion, zero-emission fleet transition, and facility upgrades. 

Regulatory & Funding Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with all procurement, documentation, and reporting requirements for public sector capital projects. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication 

• Build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues, cross-divisional teams, elected officials, regional jurisdictions and committees, community partners, and the public. 
• Build transparent, equitable engagement processes into the division’s planning, program and project decision-making to ensure community needs and equity goals are met. 

Talent Development & Team Leadership 

• Inspire, develop, and retain high-performing teams in planning and portfolio management, engineering, project controls, and project delivery. 
• Champion workforce development, diversity, equity, and inclusion and foster a learning organization. 

Innovation, Technology, & Data-Driven Decisions 

• Leverage technology and analytics (such as digital project management tools, AI, and performance dashboards) to optimize project delivery. 
• Drive the adoption of new tools and best practices to improve efficiency and manage risk. 

Sustainability & Equity Leadership 

• Integrate sustainability and climate action goals into all phases of capital planning and project delivery. 
• Advance equity and social justice through project prioritization, community engagement, and impact mitigation. 
• Strong focus on climate action and equitable community outcomes. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

High level management experience: 

• Five (5) years in leadership roles overseeing large-scale capital programs and multidisciplinary teams. 
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in transportation, capital planning, project delivery and/or public-sector infrastructure management. 
• A bachelor's degree in finance, business, engineering, architecture, construction management or a closely related field. 
• Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the role may be considered. 

Capital industry leadership through: 

• Deep subject matter knowledge in capital decision making, budget, internal and external policy and partnerships, and other processes to get things built. 
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations (such as FTA Capital Investment Grants and PMO requirements). 
• Knowledge about how organizations work and how to get things done both through formal channels and informal networks. 
• Ability to make complex decisions and to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably, in a capable and agile manner. 
• Ability to see clearly ahead, anticipate future consequences, effectively set priorities, and have broad knowledge, perspective, and the ability to articulate possibilities and spend time on what is important. 

People leadership experience, which demonstrates: 

• Experience with building effective teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue. 
• Experience and ability to develop and lead direct reports, furthering people's career goals, providing challenging and stretching tasks and assignments, and effectively developing all levels of staff. 
• Knowledge of how to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, as well as solve problems for the good of all. 
• Experience working with labor and the ability to develop and nurture strong, productive relationships with union leadership, respecting established processes, and fostering an environment of mutual respect. 
• An ability to communicate well, in both oral and written communications. 

High integrity and a commitment to continuous improvement and who: 

• Have a good sense of self, knowing personal strengths, weaknesses, and biases and the impacts of these on others, particularly those you lead, possessing a commitment to continuously advancing this self-awareness. 
• Demonstrate transparency and build trust, courageously, and consistently acting upon a strong set of core values that are aligned with Metro's values. 
• Have the ability as a leader to facilitate difficult conversations, particularly related to race (and other protected classes), power, and privilege. 
• Have the leadership courage and ability to identify and take steps necessary to ensure that all have equitable opportunities to thrive. 

Desired experience with (but not required): 

• Public sector experience is highly desired. 
• Prior experience in transit or transportation is highly desired. 

Necessary Special Requirements: 

• Valid State Driver's License or alternate ability to travel to locations for which public transportation is not regularly available. 

Required Application Materials 

1. An online employment application
2. Resume 
3. Cover letter 
4. Answers to all supplemental questions

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or file review.
 

Work Location 
This is a hybrid position. The main work site for this position is King Street Center, 201 S Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104.

This team works in a hybrid model, with 3 days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.

Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

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