Contracts Transit Section Manager

Summary Come make a difference and join team Metro! King County Metro Transit’s Finance and Administration Division is seeking an experienced procurement and contracts leader to serve as our next Contracts Transit Section Manager. The Section Manager of King County Metro’s Contract Management group is responsible for leading and overseeing Metro’s contract lifecycle management, and contract portfolio management functions. This role ensures the effective acquisition of goods and services, end‑to‑end contract administration, strong portfolio governance, and delivery of best value to the organization. The Section Manager provides strategic leadership, manages a team of contract professionals, and drives continuous improvement across all contracting practices. As Metro’s operational and organizational needs evolve, this role will guide the development, integration, and oversight of additional contracting portfolios and emerging service requirements. Location This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week onsite to support team collaboration, coaching, and in‑person leadership presence. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104. Work Schedule The position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday. Job Duties Lead, supervise, and develop King County Metro’s new Contract Management section, including performance management, workforce planning, and staff training and development. Oversee and support the full procurement lifecycle: sourcing strategies; solicitations (RFPs, RFQs, IFBs, waivers); evaluations; negotiations; awards; and vendor selection. Provide effective contract portfolio management, ensuring centralized visibility and governance, risk management and compliance, cross‑functional collaboration, data‑driven decision making, and value optimization across Metro’s goods and services contracts. Guide and oversee the complete contract lifecycle, including drafting, negotiation, execution, administration, amendments, renewals, and closeout. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, King County policies, and ethical procurement standards. Develop, implement, and maintain procurement and contract management policies, procedures, templates, and internal controls. Strengthen department staff capabilities in modern procurement, contract management, and portfolio governance practices. Collaborate with internal partners (King County Procurement, Legal, Finance, Operations, Project Management, and divisions across Metro) to align procurement and contracting strategies with organizational objectives. Identify, assess, and mitigate procurement and contractual risks; resolve escalated issues and disputes. Develop tools to monitor supplier and contract performance, ensuring service levels, deliverables, and financial obligations are met. Support audits, reporting, and internal reviews related to procurement and contract activities. Develop, approve, and monitor the budget; determine and allocate resources. Leverage procurement, contracting, and portfolio management systems to improve efficiency, transparency, and data‑driven decision‑making. Lead integration of new procurement portfolios and functions as organizational needs expand, including operational, capital, and technical acquisition categories. Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including cost savings, process optimization, and supplier performance enhancements. Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Law, Public Administration, or a related field. Five (5) years of progressive experience in procurement, contract portfolio management, or contract lifecycle management. Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience managing or leading teams. An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required skills, knowledge, and abilities. Strong knowledge of contract portfolio management, contract lifecycle management, and procurement principles; fundamentals of contract law; and risk management practices. Demonstrated experience negotiating complex contracts and supplier agreements. Excellent communication, analytical, and stakeholder engagement skills. Proficiency with procurement, portfolio, and contract management systems and tools. Knowledge of budget development, management, and monitoring. Knowledge of short and long‑range strategic planning techniques and principles. Knowledge of the management techniques for a large, complex, multidisciplinary organization. Knowledge of human resources management, supervision techniques and principles, and federal, state and local laws related to employment, civil rights, and affirmative action. Highly Competitive Candidates (Desired) Master’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Law, Public Administration, or a related field. Experience with frameworks such as the World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC) or the NCMA Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK®). Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPP, CPCM, CFCM, CCM, or equivalent. Experience in public‑sector procurement or delivery of public goods and services. Familiarity with regulatory or compliance‑driven procurement environments. Professional experience and certifications in process improvement or organizational change management, such as Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or PROSCI. Additional Managerial Skills Demonstrated experience building effective teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue. Interested in and inspired 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. Driven to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, and solving problems for the good of all. Experience working with labor and ability to develop and nurture strong, productive relationships with union leadership, respecting established processes and fostering an environment of mutual respect. Excellent communicator, in both oral and written communications. Strategic industry leader knowledgeable about how organizations work and how to get things done both through formal channels and informal networks. Able to make complex decisions and to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably, in a capable and agile manner. Able 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. Skilled in process management and can quickly see the steps to accomplishing a task. Exhibit composure and practice attentive and active listening. Has 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 King County Metro Transit's values. Has the ability as a leader to facilitate difficult conversations, particularly related to race (and other protected classes), power, and privilege. Has the leadership courage and ability to identify and take steps necessary to ensure that all have equitable opportunities to thrive. Benefits Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options. Life and disability insurance. Retirement: pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan. Transportation program and ORCA transit pass. 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays. Generous vacation and paid sick leave. Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves. Flexible Spending Account. Wellness programs. Onsite activity centers. Employee Giving Program. Employee assistance programs. Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position. Training and career development programs. Equal Employment Opportunity 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr King County, WA