Economic Development Program Manager (ProjectProgram Manager IV)

Summary

The Economic Development Program Manager (Project/Program Manager IV) supports strategic economic development in King Countys unincorporated areas. Working from the Directors Office in the Department of Local Services and reporting to the External Relations Manager this role leads the creation and implementation of programs that grow jobs and the tax base including developing area business plans supporting new business ventures and strengthening existing businesses.

The manager builds strong public-private partnerships collaborates with economic development organizations and serves as a subject matter expert and liaison between unincorporated communities including ethnic business groupsand developers pursuing housing and commercial projects. The role also coordinates rural economic efforts with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks and the Executives Office and provides technical assistance for urban and subarea planning.

This position works closely with subarea planners outreach staff and department leadership to advance economic development countywide. Candidates must be committed to racial social and economic equity. The Department of Local Services values equity respect and partnership and is dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering inclusive thriving communities.

About the Department of Local Services:
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Directors Office Road Services and Permitting divisions as well as long-range planning code writing subarea planning community service area liaison and comprehensive planning teams. Together this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas of King County.

Our Commitment to Equity Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate embrace and celebrate the distinct experiences viewpoints and perspectives of our people partners and the communities we serve. Through this work we dismantle systemic barriers address inequities and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Job Duties

Applying the principles of equity and racial and social justice is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. You will apply these principles to all aspects of your work. Primary responsibilities include:

• Lead Countywide Economic Development Strategy
  Develop and implement long-term economic development plans for unincorporated King County integrating equity racial and social justice principles into all strategies and initiatives.
• Strengthen Business Districts and Support Small Businesses
  Design manage and deliver programs that promote business district vitality support small and minority-owned businesses and foster business retention expansion and new ventures.
• Build Partnerships and Engage Communities
  Cultivate strong relationships with community organizations chambers of commerce business groups and development partners. Serve as a liaison between unincorporated communities and private developers.
• Coordinate Cross-Departmental and Policy Efforts
  Collaborate with County departments to address economic challenges support land-use and subarea planning and provide economic development insights for policy and budget decisions.
• Secure Funding and Manage Resources
  Identify pursue and manage diverse funding sourcesincluding grants REET and public-private partnershipsto support economic development programs and business district improvements.
• Manage Programs and Lead Staff
  Oversee program operations supervise a small team track performance metrics and ensure efficient equitable and effective delivery of economic development services.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience Qualifications Knowledge Skills

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience supporting community economic business nonprofit outreach or public service activities experience may be paid volunteer or community-based.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse communities stakeholders businesses and partners.
• Skills in organizing projects coordinating activities and managing multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to listen collaborate and engage respectfully across cultures and communities. Ability to write business plans reports or requirements.
• Commitment to applying equity racial and social justice principles in daily work.
• Ability to use common digital tools (such as email spreadsheets or basic data platforms) and willingness to learn additional tools as needed.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in fast-paced or evolving environments.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in community development economic development business district work small business support or related fields.
• Experience working with communities of color immigrants refugees rural communities small business owners or other historically underserved groups.
• Experience facilitating meetings conducting outreach or presenting information to community groups organizations or the public.
• Familiarity with land-use concepts zoning development processes or policy work.
• Experience with grant funding processes resource development or program budgeting.
• Experience coordinating cross-departmental cross-agency or multi-stakeholder projects.
• Ability to analyze information identify trends or support data-informed decision-making.
• Multilingual or bilingual abilities.
• Experience applying innovative thinking creative problem solving or process improvement approaches such as LEAN.

Supplemental Information

Interview Schedule: Applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in an interview the week of October 26 2026.

Who may apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants. This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) career service position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional vacancies in the same classification that may occur within the next six months.

Forms and materials: A completed King County Application is required. A resume and supplemental question responses are also required.

Selection process: Applicants will be screened for clarity completeness and competitiveness. Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.

Work schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but may at times require work on the weekends or outside of normal business hours. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Emergency designation status: This position has been designated as: Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed suspended or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.

Unless otherwise directed by the King County Executive department director or agency head all employees regardless of designation are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.

Union Membership: This position is not represented.

Teleworking Requirement: We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness arrive prepared and on time and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. T he primary onsite location is at King Street Center 201 S. Jackson Seattle WA 98104 . Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Work location : The employee will report to work at the King Street Center (201 S. Jackson Street Seattle WA 98104). Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities and may be required to report to offices in Unincorporated King County.

Employees mustresidein Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a King County-issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

Are you ready to make a difference Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play.

To apply: If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King Countys vision for unified equitable and high-performing government please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process please contact Janice Antonio at .

King Countys Vision Mission and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles engage directly with communities and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards embrace change stay curious and continuously improve. Across all interactions we listen first act quickly and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision Mission and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here .

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex race color national origin ethnicity religious affiliation disability sexual orientation gender identity or expression age except by minimum age and retirement provisions pregnancy status as a family caregiver parental status marital status military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the persons sexual orientation or gender identity or expression citizenship or immigration status genetic information or other protected class. However to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law regulation or government contract it is not an unfair practice.

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.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment please contact Janice Antonio HR Analyst by email at or by phone at .

Required Experience:

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