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.  

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

 

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

About King County Metro Transit

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans. The Executive Branch includes employe...es in the Executive branch, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

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