Employee Experience Project Manager bei King County, WA

About the Department

King County Metro Transit’s Employee Services Division is seeking a dynamic and visionary Employee Experience Project Manager to lead high-impact, cross-functional initiatives that elevate HR service delivery and drive organizational excellence. This strategic role goes beyond traditional project management—it’s about transforming how Metro engages, supports, and empowers its workforce. The ideal candidate is a creative thinker and self-starter with a strong foundation in project and program management, deep familiarity with HR operations and compliance, and a passion for designing inclusive, efficient, and people-centered solutions.

As a trusted advisor and collaborative partner, you’ll work closely with agency leadership, HR functional teams, and employees to align workforce strategies with Metro’s broader mission. From leading enterprise-wide HR initiatives and streamlining processes to championing equity and driving change management, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping a workplace where people thrive and systems work smarter.

This is an exciting time to work at King County Metro Transit. We are the 10th largest transit system in the Country (per FTA), serve the fastest-growing transit market in the nation, enjoy a 93% customer satisfaction rate, and are creating an array of innovative mobility services for our riders. Click here to see why it's worth working for King County Metro Transit.

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service position. In addition, this recruitment selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, Term-limited Temporary, and Special Duty Assignment positions that may occur in this classification. 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. 

The Employee Experience Project Manager is a Project/Program Manager III classification.

Position Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As the Employee Experience Project Manager, you will:  

• Partner with agency leadership to understand workforce needs and develop HR solutions that support business objectives, including consultative guidance on workforce planning, performance management, and organizational change initiatives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to managers, balancing operational needs with employee advocacy and compliance, while promoting equity, inclusion, and consistency in the application of HR policies and practices.
• Lead HR-related projects and programs using Project and Program Management principles, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Facilitate cross-functional project teams and collaborate with HR partners such as Disability Services, Leaves, Labor Relations, Compensation, Talent Acquisition, and Learning & Development to ensure cohesive and integrated processes.
• Develop and implement standardized HR processes and workflows across functions ensuring they are efficient, compliant, and accessible to all employees and managers.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and create solutions that reduce redundancies and enhance employee and manager experience.
• Track project milestones, measure success metrics, and report progress to stakeholders and leadership through clear documentation and presentations.
• Provide guidance and training to supervisors and staff on policy application, process adoption, and HR best practices.
• In partnership, design and execute communication and change management strategies to support successful rollouts of new HR initiatives.
• Engage with employees to gather feedback on HR services and recommend improvements that elevate the overall employee experience.
• Use HR data and analytics to identify trends, measure program effectiveness, and provide actionable insights for decision-making.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

We value the diverse experience, skills, and abilities our candidates bring to this important role. Candidates who do not possess all the qualifications listed below should still consider applying! You are encouraged to translate life experiences to show how they meet the required experience, knowledge, education, and skills below.

We are looking for candidates who have the following minimum qualifications:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive HR experience and five (5) years of HR specific project/program management experience in large, complex working environments OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work. 
• Experience developing and implementing HR processes, policies, or programs that enhance efficiency and employee experience.
• Strong knowledge of human resources laws, compliance, principles, and practices.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex, multi-stakeholder HR projects with the ability to prioritize and oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, roles, and organizational levels—including leadership, internal teams, and external partners—while fostering collaboration and mutual success.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver formal and informal presentations of complex materials clearly and effectively to diverse audiences such as frontline workers, leadership, and external stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to approach projects, problem-solving, and negotiation with collaboration, strategic thinking, and data-informed decision-making to ensure compliance.
• Strong political and organizational savvy, with the capacity to navigate diverse stakeholder perspectives and build consensus across varying viewpoints.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with additional experience using collaboration tools such as Teams, Zoom, and project management software.

Highly competitive candidates will also have (desired, but not required): 

• Experience using NEOGOV and PeopleSoft.
• Professional certification such as PMP, PHR/SPHR, or SHRM-CP/SCP.
• Experience working in a unionized, public sector, or transit environment.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in project management principles, methodologies, and processes.

Other Qualifications

Who may apply: We are accepting applications from all qualified candidates including current King County employees and the general public.

How to apply and Selection Process: If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact Talent Advisor, Sarah Ottele at [email protected].

Applications will be screened to determine whether eligible candidates meet the minimum qualifications, as well as for competitiveness, completeness, and responsiveness to the required application materials information below. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and/or other selection process elements. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as internal record review or reference check.

Required Application Materials: Applications submitted without the following required application materials will be deemed incomplete and be removed from consideration:

1.  An online King County application updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history with job duties going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary). 
2.  Completed supplemental questions answered thoroughly and accurately.
3.  A cover letter no longer than 2 pages describing how your background, professional experience, and skill set make you qualified for this specific position. Please highlight your experience with HR partnerships, project/program management, leadership of cross-functional initiatives, and/or working experience in the public sector or large, complex environments similar to Metro Transit.

NOTE: Additional documents (such as resumes) will not be reviewed if attached to your application. Please ensure all relevant work history and experience is provided and up to date on your King County application and do not attach additional documents outside of the required cover letter.

Position Details: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday.

Classification / Job Code / Grade / Union: Project/Program Manager III / 243301 / 63 / Non-Represented (Z3)

Work Schedule Details: Typical work hours are comprised of a 40-hour workweek Monday through Friday.

Teleworking Requirement: This position will work in a hybrid model, with 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. Currently this position will be expected to report onsite one time per week. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104).  

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Forbes 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.

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.

Jetzt bewerben