Program/Business Manager (WMS3)

State of Washington$128K — $157K *
Transportation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in transportation project and program management.
  • Proven leadership in managing design-build projects.
  • Strong understanding of project development and delivery processes.
  • Experience with capital program and project management for large-scale transportation initiatives.
  • Expertise in financial and budget management for public projects.
  • Familiarity with policy, regulatory frameworks, and compliance in transportation and construction sectors.
  • Ability to effectively lead and develop multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic financial advice to program leadership and project teams.
  • Develop workforce plans and cash flow scenarios to ensure project success.
  • Monitor and manage project scope, schedule, and financial controls.
  • Oversee consultant contracts' scope, schedule, and budget.
  • Direct financial processes for design-build project payments.
  • Guide project management best practices for agreements with local agencies.
  • Assist in the development and oversight of project contracts and payment documentation.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage for employees and families, including medical, vision, and dental.
  • Annual enrollment in a flexible medical spending account for tax-deferred health expenses.
  • Basic life and long-term disability insurance provided with options to purchase additional coverage.
  • Robust paid leave options that support work-life balance.
  • Various staff training and professional development opportunities available.
Full Job Description
Salary : $128,520.00 - $157,210.00 Annually
Location : King County - Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-NWR-1W185
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Urban Mobility Access & Mega Programs
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
Closing Date: 8/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Program/Business Manager to support the I-405/SR 167 Program within the Urban Mobility, Access & Megaprograms (UMAM) Office, responsible for delivering complex, multimodal transportation improvements that enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and support regional connectivity across one of the state's most heavily traveled corridors. Serving as the Program/Business Manager, this position will be responsible for providing strategic advice to the Program Administrator, project leadership, and a team of specialized professionals.
Through strong and innovative leadership, this position will provide business support and identify issues and solutions, advise in matters related to program project scope, schedule, and budget, project risk analysis, change order funding, and State, Local, and Consultant agreements to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. As the Program/Business Manager for the I-405/SR 167 Program, this position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and communicating the long-term vision for the program and is delivered to meet local, state, and federal standards.
This position will strategically manage the policies that ensure the most efficient management of large amounts of funds and workforce involved in the highway construction program. This position plays a key role in fostering collaborative relationships and advancing integrated transportation solutions that meet operational, design, and safety standards. We encourage you to apply if you are interested in taking on this challenge to lead a diverse team to successfully deliver WSDOT projects.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Program/Business Manager will:
  • Provide strategic financial advice to the Program Leadership Management Team and specialized professionals for the successful delivery of design-build projects.
  • Strategically develop workforce plans and cash flow scenarios to deliver the design-build projects.
  • Monitor scope, schedule, and financial controls of the program projects through design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction.
  • Manage the scope, schedule, and budget for all consultant contracts for the program.
  • Direct and manage the financial set-up for all payments on design-build projects, and ensure invoices are reviewed for accuracy, complete with appropriate approvals and backup documentation, and in compliance with WSDOT requirements before invoices are approved for processing and payment.
  • Oversight of all business functions and provide guidance and direction on project management best practices pertaining to inter-local agency agreements, utility agreements, and other agreements associated with design-build projects. This position is responsible for ensuring that negotiated terms and conditions of agreements between WSDOT and utility entities, local agencies, etc. are accurately interpreted to meet WSDOT policies and standards, as well as other applicable local and state regulations are met.
  • Assist in the development of contracts for the projects and contract payment documentation.
  • Manage and monitor program and project budget, expenditures, cash flow, and cost of risk items to ensure the program strategic planning is integrated with budget planning and expenditure activity.
  • Implement strategic short-range and long-range planning and programming needed to determine the best approach for developing current and future implementation of the Northwest Region Design-Build Program.
  • Assist Leadership Team in developing new or revised project-level scopes, schedules, estimates, and funding scenarios for the Northwest Region Design-Build Program for Legislative requests and submittal.
  • Coordinate and set up the Cost Estimate Validation Process.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
  • Transportation Project & Program Management Experience: Experience in a transportation-related field, including experience with project/program management for transportation projects.
  • Design-Build Project Delivery Leadership: Demonstrated ability to apply advanced knowledge of design-build project delivery while leading professional and technical teams, coordinating information and operational activities, resolving contract issues, and ensuring timely and effective delivery of agency responsibilities and services.
  • Project Development & Program Delivery: Demonstrated ability to manage project development and program delivery processes, including coordinating environmental documentation, permitting requirements, and related activities.
  • Capital Program & Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage complex transportation capital programs and projects, including design-build delivery, consultant contracts, and construction agreements.
  • Financial & Budget Management: Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and monitor budgets, financial resources, and contract payments to ensure effective stewardship of public funds.
  • Policy & Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrated ability to apply agency policies, budgeting and planning processes, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations to support program delivery.
  • Leadership & Team Development: Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams while fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
  • Relationship Management: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, consultants, contractors, local jurisdictions, partner agencies, and the public.
  • Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through written, verbal, and public presentations with diverse audiences.
  • Problem Solving & Decision Making: Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, solve complex problems, and make informed decisions in a dynamic environment.
  • Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, align resources, and provide leadership to successfully deliver organizational and program objectives.
  • Representation & Stakeholder Coordination: Ability to represent the Design-Build team on matters related to project delivery and funding.
  • Analytical Thinking & Judgment: Ability to apply general principles to specific conditions and make sound decisions.
  • Scope, Budget & Schedule Management: Ability to lead the team to manage the scope/budget/schedule.
  • Adaptability: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adjust to changing needs.
  • Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
  • Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:
  • Purchasing & Financial Systems: Purchasing regulations and WSDOT accounting system.
  • Design-Build Experience: Experience on design-build projects.
  • Highway Construction Experience: Experience working on large, complicated highway construction projects.
  • Supervisory & Management Experience: Supervisory/management experience.

Important Notes
  • This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
  • The salary range listed includes the 2% general wage increase, effective on July 1, 2026.
  • The salary listed includes the legislative-approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
  • Travel is an expectation of the position and may be required on a regular, sporadic, or as-needed basis.
  • This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
  • In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in of the Washington Administrative Code.
  • WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the "Work Experience" portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:
  • An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
  • An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
  • Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the "References" section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at . Please be sure to reference 26DOT-NWR-1W185 in the subject line.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Emplo

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