Transportation Operations Division Director (Executive 2) bei City of Seattle, WA
City of Seattle, WA · Seattle, Vereinigte Staaten Von Amerika · Onsite
- Senior
- Optionales Büro in Seattle
About the Department
Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!
At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.
With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.
Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.
We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!
Position Overview:
The Transportation Operations Division (TOD) Director (under the City's classification title of Executive 2) is a key member of SDOT’s Senior Team, responsible for aligning Seattle’s transportation operations with the City’s safety, equity and land use goals. This role combines transportation engineering expertise with political strategy, coalition building, and public policy leadership.
With oversight of a $30M annual budget and a 130+ person division, the Division Director advances Vision Zero, manages citywide operations through the Transportation Operations Center (TOC), and delivers reliable, multimodal mobility solutions. The position also serves as a senior policy advisor, bridging technical transportation management with elected official engagement, interagency collaboration, and community trust-building.
Position Duties
Strategic Leadership & Policy Guidance
Serve as a trusted advisor to SDOT executives, the elected officials, providing strategic planning and policy guidance on mobility, safety, and infrastructure priorities.
Translate complex technical and operational issues into policy solutions that balance safety, equity, fiscal responsibility, and public accountability.
Guide implementation of Seattle’s transportation plan, the Vision Zero Action Plan, and other citywide transportation strategies.
Inspire teams and stakeholders with a visionary approach to transportation, aligning efforts toward long-term goals and a future-ready network.
Stakeholder Engagement & Political Strategy
Represent SDOT in high-stakes forums with elected officials, business associations, and community partners, building coalitions that secure public trust.
Anticipate and resolve operational challenges through cross-functional collaboration, preventing project delays and achieving cost savings.
Inspire teams and stakeholders with a visionary approach to transportation, aligning efforts toward long-term goals and a future-ready network.
Serve as a spokesperson and senior representative in public and intergovernmental forums, demonstrating cultural competency and diplomacy in sensitive situations.
Fiscal & Operational Oversight
Manage a $30M budget and ensure efficient, transparent, and accountable use of public resources.
Oversee operations of the Transportation Operations Center (TOC), delivering real-time multimodal traffic management and emergency response.
Direct arterial and residential street operations, intelligent transportation systems, traffic signals, and commercial vehicle enforcement.
Approach challenges with creative problem-solving, developing innovative solutions to optimize operations and improve outcomes.
Workforce & Organizational Leadership
Lead a division of 130+ staff, including represented employees, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace with strong accountability systems.
Implement performance management systems to achieve operational excellence, staff development, and measurable safety improvements.
Mentor and coach staff to foster professional growth and develop future leaders within the organization.
Build high-performing, collaborative teams that thrive in dynamic environments and align with SDOT’s equity and inclusion goals.
Innovation & Systems Integration
Advance deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to optimize corridor operations and provide real-time information to the public.
Integrate multimodal data into decision-making, ensuring Seattle’s transportation network is future-ready and resilient.
Coordinate with regional partners including Sound Transit, King County Metro, and WSDOT to ensure seamless mobility across jurisdictions.
Demonstrate adaptability and resilience in managing shifting priorities and unforeseen challenges.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Urban/Transportation Planning, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related field.
- Seven (7)+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in transportation, infrastructure, or public policy
- Five (5)+ years managing/leading large teams and budgets.
- Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
OR: A combination of education, training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background to perform the job.
Your success in this position will depend on your ability and/or experience in the following:
- Ability to secure community support for major infrastructure projects through coalition-building and stakeholder engagement.
- Proven record of fostering trust and transparency in politically complex environments.
- Experience managing large budgets and delivering cost savings through cross-functional collaboration.
- Strong background in policy development, legislative engagement, and regional planning.
- Ability to operate effectively in complex political and community environments, managing sensitive issues with diplomacy.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing elected officials and boards.
- Demonstrated emotional intelligence, active listening, and conflict resolution skills to navigate interpersonal dynamics and build positive relationships.
- Exceptional time management skills to balance competing priorities and deliver results under tight deadlines.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
- Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment with hybrid options at this time.
- May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
- Overnight travel may be required.
Other Qualifications
Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including potential background check.
Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The full salary range for this position is $64.56- $106.52 per hour.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.
Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.
The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
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