Deputy Director-Program Controls

Description

Salary range is $129k to $237k with a midpoint of $183k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction of the Director of Program Control Services within the Transformation Division of the Capital Delivery Department, the Deputy Director of Program Control Services provides executive-level leadership, oversight and coordination of professional project controls staff and consultants in performing a full range of project control professional duties. This position is responsible for ensuring consistent application of project controls policies, procedures and standards for major programs and system-wide projects and contracts of different scope, size, complexity. Additionally, this position will serve as technical lead related to project controls systems, tools and procedures and serve as a technical advisor for process improvement initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provide leadership and functional management oversight of project control staff to ensure consistent interpretation and application of project controls policies, procedures and standards, and meet both internal and FTA compliance requirements.
• Oversee project control functions for various programs including, but not limited to, Right of Way, Art, Permits administration, Environmental programs, Transit System Access, TOD, Innovation, etc. Establish and ensure consistency in application of project control procedures, processes and requirements.
• MATOC & On-Call Task Order Oversight
• Provide programmatic project controls oversight for all Capital Delivery MATOC and on-call task orders, ensuring consistent application of scope, schedule, cost, change, and performance controls across the full task order lifecycle.
• Establish and enforce project controls standards, baseline governance, and reporting requirements for all Capital Delivery task orders, including authorization, forecasting, estimate-at-completion, and closeout.
• Ensure full integration of Capital Delivery MATOC and on-call task orders into the PMIS for financial tracking, schedule management, performance reporting, and audit-ready documentation.
• Lead the development of the annual capital budget cycle and FTA staffing plan. Coordinate with Project Control leadership across Capital Delivery Department delivery teams. Oversee plan vs. actual and estimate at completion reporting. Ensure quality control of program-level reporting and KPI dashboards used by executives, the Board, and federal oversight agencies.
• Participate in design and implementation of project controls systems and tools including PMIS, finance and budget systems. Serve as change agent during implementation and enhancements of tools and systems. Coordinate across departments, as required.
• Provide oversight of key programmatic operational project control roles such as WBS Administrator, Department Spend Control Lead, monthly accrual process, agency prompt pay initiative, etc. Manage cross-department coordination with Finance, Accounting, IT, Procurement, Contracts & Agreements, PMIS, and others required.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of methods and procedures and identify, recommend and implement improvement opportunities.
• Serve as project control representative on a variety of work groups, task forces and committees for cross-functional, cross-department initiatives as needed.
• Develop and maintain a team staffing plan to ensure necessary resources to support assigned programs and projects.
• Oversee and develop staff; assign responsibilities, provide coaching and mentorship; oversee the development of team and individual goals, evaluate performance, recommend development opportunities, and coordinate with HR on personnel actions.
• Develop, deliver, and maintain staff training programs to improve project controls skills and knowledge, and promote adoption of new tools and practices; ensure compliance through ongoing monitoring.
• Ensure all assigned activities align with Sound Transit's safety, sustainability, equity, and inclusion values.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field; Six years of experience in project controls and reporting; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Four years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certified
• Prosci Organizational Change Management Certified

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Project controls principles and practices including principles of scheduling, risk management, contract administration, cost control and reporting, and document control.
• Public procurement practices and contract administration principles and practices.
• Financial accounting and work breakdown structure and its application to scope of project work.
• Methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation, statistical and financial analysis.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and budget control, monitoring and reporting techniques.
• General understanding of federal, state, and local regulations, particularly Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements related to cost control, schedule performance, risk management and reporting.
• Experience supporting compliance with PMOC audits, Triennial Reviews, or similar oversight processes.
• Proven ability to lead functional teams and ensure consistency in process application, training, and technical delivery across multiple projects and programs.
• Strong program leadership and portfolio-level oversight capabilities, including quality assurance of teamwork products.
• Skilled in managing and evaluating performance of internal staff and consultants, including shared performance management with other executives.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with a strong technical mindset; ability to interpret complex data, evaluate performance trends, and make strategic recommendations.
• Experience conducting statistical and financial analysis to support project and program-level decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical concepts to executive leadership, boards, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Skilled in negotiation, collaboration, and relationship-building across internal teams, executive leadership, outside agencies, vendors, and community stakeholders.
• Strong customer service orientation with an ability to resolve issues diplomatically and foster alignment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and lead multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Skilled in leading change, driving standardization, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with modern office procedures and software tools, including proficiency in MS Excel, project management systems, and enterprise data platforms.
• Experience hiring, training, mentoring, and supervising staff; demonstrated commitment to staff development and equity-focused leadership.
• Ability to foster high-performing teams and a collaborative, accountable work environment in alignment with agency values.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.