Director, Engineering Project Management at Northwest Seaport Alliance

About the Department

The anticipated hiring range is between $151,083 - $177,744 depending on qualifications.

The Director leads multiple teams and engineering staff for engineering projects, including the most complex and politically sensitive issues consistent with the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s (NWSA’s) policies, strategic plans, key initiatives, and/or business objectives. This position will develop, coordinate, and direct several highly complex concurrent projects. Provides high level customer service to all stakeholders. Projects involve buildings, site development, waterfront structures, roads, habitat/mitigation developments, railroads, and utilities. Makes decisions with broad influence on the activities of the organization. Position is responsible for assigning, planning and developing projects, including scope development, cost estimates, and budgeting and is instrumental in the NWSA Capital Investment Plan development.

Makes authoritative decisions and recommendations that are conclusive and have a far-reaching impact on the organization and the long-term facility infrastructure. Approves or denies modification requests to existing infrastructure and approves changes to Port Standards-related to questions and issues presented by others.

Position Duties

• Supervises and prioritizes staff and projects related to assigned projects. This position is responsible for ensuring projects and teams are staffed, responsive, and accountable. Plans, coordinates, and assigns tasks for the workgroup, and is responsible for the leadership, performance management, training/development, mentoring, and work product of assigned staff. The Director will have oversight over at least one team (that may include Sr. Project Managers, and indirectly their staff and Project Managers), as well as other staff supporting projects. Responsible for the oversight of NWSA projects at the Port of Seattle, including the oversight of project managers without direct supervision. 
• Manages all aspects of projects that are the most complex projects that are generally a combination of the following: politically sensitive, multi-year timelines, significant visibility, major economic impact, complex funding or permitting requirements, innovative, volatile, and/or complex stakeholder/sponsor structures. This includes oversight and development of the project’s scope, budget, and schedule, consultant management and construction management. Will support the Sr. Director with Commission, Managing Member, and POT/NWSA leadership interactions where applicable.  
• Develops strategic key initiatives, projects, and program priorities in partnership with the Sr. Director to support the overall strategic objectives of the NWSA’s strategic plans, key initiatives, and organizational priorities. Support Sr. Director with program specific and departmental direction, oversight, recommendations, and decisions. Assists with the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) budget development by working with assigned team members and providing recommendations to the Sr. Director.
• Acts as key representative by providing input, insight, and recommendations to senior leadership, executives, elected officials, staff, and the public on projects as well as politically sensitive and/or highly visible issues. Ensures optimum solutions and compliance with policies, procedures, and industry best practices. Recommends and works with Sr. Director to create and implement policy and procedure changes for the department. Provides support related to organizational and business requirements including budget and finance, risk management, and maintenance.
• Evaluates NWSA facilities, including marine structures, and makes recommendations about the condition, use, and capacity of facilities and structures. Investigates, analyzes, and recommends solutions and methods of repair and correction in the maintenance and modification of facilities. This position will also act as an expert advisor and provide technical and professional consultation to business units and NWSA leadership and advises NWSA leaders and staff, business leaders, and tenants on risks, liabilities, benefits, and opportunities associated with Port and NWSA’s activities. Recommends and develops project specific solutions, options, recommendations, and budget insight. Assists the Sr. Director with the implementation and integration of project specific goals, initiatives, and requirements.
• Manages and directs the work of consultants to ensure high quality work products, including negotiating scope for contracts, approving invoices and managing amendments. Manages all aspects of construction projects including meetings, bidding, submittals, payments, change orders and directing inspectors.Develops and maintains a list of consultants and contractors, and their area(s) of expertise, for use in an emergent situation and maintains these networking opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or related field is required. A master’s degree in engineering or related field is preferred.

A Washington Licensed Professional Engineer or Architect certification is required, and a Structural Engineering license preferred.

A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in positions involving assignments in project management, engineering design, estimating, and construction management, including extensive experience in the supervision of staff in a division, unit, or department is required. Client management, complex project assignments, diverse service experience is desirable. Experience must also demonstrate skills in leadership, project management, construction management, cost estimating, clear and concise specification writing, preparation and understanding of contract documents and coordination and management of multi-discipline engineering teams and consultants.

Preferred experience in the Port and/or Maritime industry in the design and project management of marine facilities, including cargo terminals, docks, piers, wharfs, bulk cargo terminals and marine structures. Preferred experience managing project management and engineering professionals.

Other Qualifications

Knowledge

• Expert level knowledge of alternative contract delivery methods and best practices to manage multiple complex projects, budgets, and schedules. 
• Expert knowledge of site, commercial, and public works construction as well as engineering and architectural design principles, practices, and procedures. Including a strong foundation in best practices. 
• Knowledge of organization and cross-departmental business practices and strategies for their applicability to departmental work. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of supervisory principles and practices with effective leadership skills, including mentoring and coaching. 
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and related regulations, guidelines, and procedures as they relate to Port/NWSA projects. 

Skills

• Skilled in planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating the work of Engineers. 
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas and thoughts in a concise and easy to understand manner.
• Effective problem resolution skills that demonstrate a holistic organizationally focused perspective.  
• Highly effective negotiation and facilitation skills. 
• Advanced research and analytical skills along with excellent technical and mathematical skills. 

Abilities

• Ability to oversee and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and ensure proper integration. 
• Ability to apply advanced level knowledge in a holistic manner and consider systemic implications of actions on various aspects of multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Ability to serve as expert advisor. 
• Demonstrated ability to interact with executive leaders, project stakeholders, commission, local officials, and the general public to present and explain program information that may be politically sensitive. 
• Ability to inspire and motivate staff. 

Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands. 

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