Salary: $123,947.20 - $157,110.10 Annually
Location : King Street Center - 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026JA28131
Department: DLS - Dept. of Local Services
Division: DLS-Directors Office
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week

Summary
The Economic Development Program Manager (Project/Program Manager IV) supports strategic economic development in King County's unincorporated areas. Working from the Director's 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 groups-and 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.

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 sources-including grants, REET, and public-private partnerships-to 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. The 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 must reside in 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 to support working remotely.

Are you ready to make a difference? dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

To apply: If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's 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