Project Program Manager III
King County, Seattle, WA, United States
Program/Project Manager III – Rail Division
King County Metro Transit's Rail Division is seeking a transformational Program/Project Manager III. The Program/Project Manager III will lead high-impact programs and projects focused on performance improvement, organizational transformation, and innovative system enhancements. This role will drive strategic priorities that support growth, strengthen partnerships, improve operations, and advance safety for both customers and staff.
About the Rail Division
King County Metro Transit manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33‑mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6‑mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, the system is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations.
Responsibilities
Manage complex, multi‑stakeholder projects independently.
Lead and coordinate project teams that span multiple Metro Rail Division and Sound Transit sections or departments.
Write complex analytical or program evaluation findings for decision‑maker guidance.
Use project management software to manage timelines and deliverables.
Apply a lens of innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement to all projects.
Collaborate with Performance Strategy Team members, including data analysts and the continuous improvement specialist, to meet project, team, and Rail Division goals.
Build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Sound Transit.
Work with external consultants, manage contracts, timelines, budgets, and ensure thorough execution of scope of work.
Identify key requirements for cross‑functional projects.
Work with other project and program managers to identify risks and opportunities across multiple projects.
Analyze, evaluate, and overcome program risks, and produce program reports for managers and stakeholders.
Facilitate discussions with diverse teams from across the Division, across Metro, and with partner agencies to ensure that program and project results are fully implemented.
Integrate social justice principles into strategic planning and desired outcomes.
Visualize information and data for decision making, assist in data collection and analysis, and make recommendations for improvements.
Serve as mentor to other staff to develop program and project management acumen across the organization.
Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of project or program management experience, including initiating, planning, executing, and closing out projects to achieve specific goals.
Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.
Proven ability to manage a wide variety of project types, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, organizing work assignments, and maintaining strong attention to detail.
Additional Competencies and Qualifications
Project Management Skills
Experience leading diverse program and project teams and working collaboratively with individuals from a variety of positions and backgrounds.
Experience leading projects involving internal and external stakeholders in a service‑delivery environment.
Experience identifying and implementing creative solutions to persistent problems.
Ability to roll up key project and team updates to the supervisor and make adjustments based on evolving priorities.
Skill in analyzing information, solving complex and analytical challenges, and making recommendations based on analysis.
Demonstrated experience managing and leading change, ensuring project execution and quality while successfully mitigating risk.
Comfortable working in environments with limited structure or evolving priorities.
High adaptability with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
Organizational and interpersonal savvy.
Communication Skills
Demonstrates clear, concise, and thoughtful verbal and written communication.
Actively listens and adapts messaging for internal and external stakeholders as well as technical and non‑technical audiences.
Experience facilitating meetings, leading discussions, and presenting complex information in an accessible manner.
Knowledge of equity and social justice principles and an ability to effectively communicate those principles in projects and initiatives.
Understands the impact of behavior and communication on others, especially in high‑stakes or sensitive environments.
Desirable Qualifications
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Familiarity with local transit and mobility systems, including the business model and practices of Sound Transit and/or King County Metro.
Experience with the public sector, either through consulting or employment within a government agency.
Knowledge of Lean methodology.
Experience working in a union environment.
Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research principles, methods, data collection, and analysis.
Work Schedule and Location
Position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. The work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, between 6:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., with some flexibility in start and end time. The role may require a flex schedule as necessary.
Work will be performed predominantly in a hybrid environment with a minimum of 3 days on site at one of the Rail Division locations. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various facilities. All employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to their worksite.
Location assignment is dependent on workgroup needs. Possible locations include:
Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central, 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA
Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) East, 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
Maintenance of Way North (MOW‑N), 920 N 137th St, Seattle, WA
Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104
Any future Sound Transit Link facilities
Special Requirements
Possession of a valid Washington state driver’s license (or ability to obtain one upon hire) or alternate ability to travel to off‑site locations.
Union Representation / Job Code / Grade
Represented by Protec17. Job Code 243303. Grade 64.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
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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King County Metro Transit's Rail Division is seeking a transformational Program/Project Manager III. The Program/Project Manager III will lead high-impact programs and projects focused on performance improvement, organizational transformation, and innovative system enhancements. This role will drive strategic priorities that support growth, strengthen partnerships, improve operations, and advance safety for both customers and staff.
About the Rail Division
King County Metro Transit manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33‑mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6‑mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, the system is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations.
Responsibilities
Manage complex, multi‑stakeholder projects independently.
Lead and coordinate project teams that span multiple Metro Rail Division and Sound Transit sections or departments.
Write complex analytical or program evaluation findings for decision‑maker guidance.
Use project management software to manage timelines and deliverables.
Apply a lens of innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement to all projects.
Collaborate with Performance Strategy Team members, including data analysts and the continuous improvement specialist, to meet project, team, and Rail Division goals.
Build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Sound Transit.
Work with external consultants, manage contracts, timelines, budgets, and ensure thorough execution of scope of work.
Identify key requirements for cross‑functional projects.
Work with other project and program managers to identify risks and opportunities across multiple projects.
Analyze, evaluate, and overcome program risks, and produce program reports for managers and stakeholders.
Facilitate discussions with diverse teams from across the Division, across Metro, and with partner agencies to ensure that program and project results are fully implemented.
Integrate social justice principles into strategic planning and desired outcomes.
Visualize information and data for decision making, assist in data collection and analysis, and make recommendations for improvements.
Serve as mentor to other staff to develop program and project management acumen across the organization.
Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of project or program management experience, including initiating, planning, executing, and closing out projects to achieve specific goals.
Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.
Proven ability to manage a wide variety of project types, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, organizing work assignments, and maintaining strong attention to detail.
Additional Competencies and Qualifications
Project Management Skills
Experience leading diverse program and project teams and working collaboratively with individuals from a variety of positions and backgrounds.
Experience leading projects involving internal and external stakeholders in a service‑delivery environment.
Experience identifying and implementing creative solutions to persistent problems.
Ability to roll up key project and team updates to the supervisor and make adjustments based on evolving priorities.
Skill in analyzing information, solving complex and analytical challenges, and making recommendations based on analysis.
Demonstrated experience managing and leading change, ensuring project execution and quality while successfully mitigating risk.
Comfortable working in environments with limited structure or evolving priorities.
High adaptability with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
Organizational and interpersonal savvy.
Communication Skills
Demonstrates clear, concise, and thoughtful verbal and written communication.
Actively listens and adapts messaging for internal and external stakeholders as well as technical and non‑technical audiences.
Experience facilitating meetings, leading discussions, and presenting complex information in an accessible manner.
Knowledge of equity and social justice principles and an ability to effectively communicate those principles in projects and initiatives.
Understands the impact of behavior and communication on others, especially in high‑stakes or sensitive environments.
Desirable Qualifications
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Familiarity with local transit and mobility systems, including the business model and practices of Sound Transit and/or King County Metro.
Experience with the public sector, either through consulting or employment within a government agency.
Knowledge of Lean methodology.
Experience working in a union environment.
Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research principles, methods, data collection, and analysis.
Work Schedule and Location
Position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. The work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, between 6:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., with some flexibility in start and end time. The role may require a flex schedule as necessary.
Work will be performed predominantly in a hybrid environment with a minimum of 3 days on site at one of the Rail Division locations. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various facilities. All employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to their worksite.
Location assignment is dependent on workgroup needs. Possible locations include:
Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central, 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA
Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) East, 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
Maintenance of Way North (MOW‑N), 920 N 137th St, Seattle, WA
Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104
Any future Sound Transit Link facilities
Special Requirements
Possession of a valid Washington state driver’s license (or ability to obtain one upon hire) or alternate ability to travel to off‑site locations.
Union Representation / Job Code / Grade
Represented by Protec17. Job Code 243303. Grade 64.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
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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