Director-Project Closeout

Director-Project Closeout

Salary range is $145K to $247K with a midpoint of $196K. 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, Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Retirement Plans, Paid Time Off, Parental Leave, Pet Insurance, ORCA Card, Tuition Reimbursement, and 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 : The Director Project Closeout serves as the agency owner for capital project closeout, accountable for policy, performance, and delivery outcomes from operational readiness through final close. The Director sets strategy, establishes standards and KPIs, governs portfolio progress, and deploys resources to drive timely, compliant, and cost-disciplined closeout across projects. This role leads the Project Closeout function within the Center of Excellence and partners with Asset Transition, Project Delivery, Operations, Safety, Legal, and IT to ensure seamless handover, accurate asset records, and final contract reconciliation. The Director conducts closeout readiness reviews, interfaces with internal and external oversight, and drives cross-functional corrective actions to resolution. This position reports through the Construction Support Services Division in the Center of Excellence, and directly leads managers, professional staff, and consultants.

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.

• Owns agencywide closeout policy, standards, and procedures; updates them based on lessons learned, audit findings, and regulatory changes.
• Defines portfolio KPIs and annual targets (e.g., closeout cycle time, records completeness, warranty / securities closure, residual risk burn-down); publishes dashboards / heatmaps and drives corrective actions.
• Leads the closeout governance cadence; sets entry / exit criteria for readiness reviews and issues go / no-go recommendations with executive escalation as needed.
• Interfaces with internal / external oversight (e.g., Internal Audit and federal partners) and represents status, risks, and actions to executive leadership.
• Directs creation and continuous improvement of closeout toolkits, SOPs, schedules, templates, and training; ensures integration with PMIS / EDMS and asset registry systems.
• Oversees portfolio-level issue resolution (third-party agreements, claims / final reconciliation, commissioning / system safety certification artifacts, spares and O&M deliverables).
• Orchestrates time-boxed "surge" deploymentssmall, focused teams to retire legacy backlogs, pilot improvements, or stabilize at-risk transitions.
• Ensures accurate and complete records archiving and asset handover packages (warranties, O&M manuals, as-builts, spare parts lists, CM / Ops procedures).
• Accountable for complete, accurate, and timely handover packages (as-builts, O&M manuals, warranties / spares) and the integrity of EDMS / asset registry records at close.
• Owns the Closeout operating plan, budget, and consultant strategy; allocates resources across programs and manages task orders to outcomes.
• Leads a team of managers, staff, and consultants; builds capability in closeout methods, asset transition, and regulated documentation.
• Develops workforce plans and budgets; optimizes staffing across programs; manages vendor / consultant strategies and task order performance.
• Coaches leaders and project teams; fosters a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and equity.
• 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, Project Management, Facilities Management, Construction Science / Management, Public Administration, or closely related field. Eight years of experience in construction project or program management, or in managing and directing facilities and operations for large, complex programs or organizationsincluding substantial experience in project closeout and asset transition; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications : Valid state driver's license. This position is required to make trips between Sound Transit facilities and project construction sites that are not readily accessible by transit during the workday. They may also require use of agency vehicles to travel and transport materials and equipment between Union Station, project sites, and Sound Transit facilities.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications : Current registration as a Professional Engineer or Architect issued by the State of Washington. Certified Construction Manager as issued by the Construction Management Certification Institute. Project Management Professional (PMP), Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) or similar certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills : Expert knowledge of capital project lifecycle from commissioning to closeout, including contract administration, warranty management, risk / claims, and records requirements. Proven ability to govern portfolios : set KPIs, read dashboards, diagnose systemic issues, and drive cross-functional corrective actions to closure. Working knowledge of various governance requirements, documentation, and reporting expectations; familiarity with audits, permits, and regulatory compliance. Skill in building SOPs, process improvements, and training programs; integration with PMIS / EDMS / asset systems. Executive-caliber written and verbal communication; adept at briefings for internal governance, oversight partners, and leadership. Strong matrix leadership and stakeholder alignment across engineering, operations, legal, procurement, IT, and executive offices. Analytical fluencydata gathering, performance analysis, forecasting, and transparent reporting.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills : Applied understanding of design / engineering, systems integration, commissioning, system safety certification, and operational readiness. Familiarity with transit operations, track access protocols on an operating system, service planning interfaces, facilities / O&M planning, and asset registry standards. Experience leading remediation of legacy backlogs and standing up "surge" teams to retire risk quickly.

Physical Demands / Work Environment : Work is performed in a hybrid shop, field, and office environment. This position is responsible for inspections, and visiting construction sites in various stages; including assessing ladders, stairs, lifts, etc. May be subject to standing, talking, seeing and walking, and carrying and lifting up to 25 pounds. 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.