* This position is open only to current King County Metro employees. *
King County Metro Transit Rail Division is looking to fill a Senior Events & Culture Program Manager (PPM IV), with the Organizational Strategy and Administration Unit’s Engagement Strategy team, to lead the Events & Culture team that manages employee appreciation events and employee engagement programs that support and implements Rail’s Culture of Care & Safety strategic priority.
This position will closely partner with our internal communications, administrative teams as well as our Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (EIB), Training Strategy and Safety Strategy Managers to deploy events and activities that support employee community engagement, inclusion, and belonging. This position will supervise a small team of direct reports. This position is expected to foster a collaborative team culture while providing coaching and development opportunities to direct reports.
About Metro Transit's Expanding Rail Division
King County Metro is the exclusive partner and operations and maintenance provider to Sound Transit's Link Light Rail system. Light Rail is the backbone of Puget Sound's mobility future. With fast, frequent, reliable connections, the system is poised for significant expansion during this decade.
As the alignment continues to grow, it will influence and inform Metro's investments of resources well into the future. In order to strategically and effectively manage such a significant, accelerated rate of growth, the Division leadership has established the following strategic priorities to address what matters most:
- Meet our obligation to Sound Transit and the region through effective expansion of staff who operate and maintain the light rail system.
- Build a culture of care, belonging and inclusion where all employees can thrive.
- Ensure safe, high-quality operations for employees and customers.
- Strengthen partnerships with Sound Transit (Link).
King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement.
With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all our residents, regardless of their race or income. All these qualities make this King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Interviews are anticipated to occur during the week of August 31 through September 4, 2026,but are subject to change.
Who May Apply
This position is open to only current King County Metro employees.
To Apply:
Those interested must submit:
- An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties.
- Completed supplemental questions.
- A cover letter/letter of interest, detailing the following:
- Your interest in the Sr. Events & Culture Program Manager position and how your experiences and abilities have prepared you to take on the job duties, including why you are the best fit for the position. Include a brief description of your skills, experience, and knowledge. Only the first two pages of your letter of interest will be reviewed.
Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?
We highly recommend visiting the Workforce Development Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective:
Workforce Development - King County, Washington
As the Sr. Events & Culture Program Manager, you will:
Rail’s Events Programs Management
- Design and deliver employee events and engagement strategic planning in alignment with our Culture of Care & Safety strategic priority.
- Lead and oversee events and program management to various division-wide, year-round employee appreciation events, as well as employee engagement and recognition initiatives and programs. Examples include but are not limited to End of Year celebration, Transit Appreciation Week, Annual Employee Appreciation Events, Take Our Children to Work Day, Veteran’s Day and Pride Flag Raising, Juneteenth, as well as our annual employee recognition and employee of the year program and events.
- In close partnership with the internal communications team, manage annual employee recognition processes and events.
- Partner with Internal Communications team to effectively communicate and outreach to target audiences on employee recognition, appreciation and engagement initiatives and programs.
- Provide Internal Communications team events/project management support on Town Halls and related events.
- Provide Engagement Strategy Manager project and events management support on Rail division leadership retreats and quarterly meetings.
- Develop and refine relevant employee engagement and events-related standard work and processes in collaboration with Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager, and Internal Communications Manager.
- Oversee Rail’s Tour program in collaboration with Internal Communications team.
- Oversee management Strategy & Administration Unit’s job shadow program.
- Oversee coordination with King County Metro partners on initiatives such as Green Jobs Fair, wellness programing and EIB events and programs.
- Use various tools, including project and events management software, to manage project timelines and deliverables.
- Develop, propose and track events’ procurement, spending budgets, retain receipts and other documentation in close collaboration with administrative staff.
- Procure and project manage events vendors.
- Apply a lens of innovation and continuous improvement to all projects.
- Lead other projects as assigned.
Culture Programs Management
- In close collaboration with Engagement Strategy; Equity, Inclusion and Belonging; Safety Strategy and Training Strategy managers, co-design, deploy and lead a team to implement the Culture of Care & Safety strategic vision that incorporates grassroots engagement strategies including but not limited to employee group facilitation, restorative practices, healthy conflict management, training, coaching, consulting and leadership development.
- Provide project management support to Culture of Care & Safety/ Re Alignment division-wide initiative, and other organizational development initiatives related to employee engagement.
- Oversee and facilitate Women in Rail employee cohort group or assign to designee.
- Collaborate with emerging Rail division-based employee resource groups (ERG) and provide as-needed project management support to help sustain division-based ERGs or assign to designee.
Stakeholder Management & Collaboration
Collaborate with Rail, other Metro leaders, and Sound Transit partners to ensure leadership presence and participation in relevant employee appreciation events, and engagement initiatives and programs.
- Coordinate and collaborate with Metro Rail Facilities and Business and Administration teams to facilitate events space access.
- Collaboratively draft Rail Administrative Guidelines (RAGs) related to appreciation and recognition events, as well as employee engagement initiatives and programs.
- Develop, nurture, and advance strategic relationships across King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other external stakeholder groups.
- Work with external consultants, including execution of contracts, managing project timelines, and ensuring thorough execution of scope of work.
- Lead and participate in after action efforts to learn from experiences that come up and improve on employee engagement, recognition, appreciation events, initiatives and programs.
- Facilitate discussions with diverse teams from across the Division to ensure that improvement ideas are fully implemented.
- Identify metrics to measure success for the Events & Culture team and the larger Division.
- Integrate equity, racial and social justice principles into strategic planning and desired outcomes.
- Perform other related duties as required; may be assigned to special projects.
- Perform occasional work outside of the day shift to meet the needs of a frontline workforce who operate 24/7.
Supervision & Team Leadership
- Provide direct supervision to a small team.
- Build an effective team through on-boarding of new hires and supporting talent through individual development planning, coaching, mentoring, training, and teaching.
- Foster a collaborative team culture.
Five years of project and/or events management experience including initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing out the work of a team to achieve specific goals OR equivalent knowledge/experience.
Three years of experience in workplace group facilitation, restorative practices, healthy conflict management, training, coaching, consulting and/or leadership development OR equivalent knowledge/experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and work collaboratively with individuals from a variety of positions and backgrounds.
Experience developing and implementing employee engagement programs that prioritize equity, inclusion and belonging.
Must be able to set priorities, meet deadlines, organize work assignments, and operate with strong attention to detail while building authentic, trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders including leadership and employee groups.
Experience identifying and implementing creative solutions to persistent problems.
Demonstrated experience as a leader with the ability to represent senior leadership in various settings.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Extensive knowledge of equity, racial and social justice principles.
Experience facilitating meetings and presenting information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.
Flexibility to shift priorities as needed.
Ability to perform occasional work outside of the day shift to meet the needs of a frontline workforce who operate 24/7.
Willingness to work in a team environment and perform other duties as assigned.
Possess a valid Washington state driver's license (or ability to obtain Washington state driver's license upon hire) or alternate ability to travel to off-site locations.
Ability to adjust working hours to accommodate for early morning or late evening events
Ability to travel between work locations.
Ability to lift 40 pounds.
Comfort with ambiguity in a fast-paced working environment.
Desirable Qualifications: Masters in Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Development or closely related field.
Skilled or knowledgeable with change management, continuous improvement, and organizational development principles and practices.
At least three years of experience supervising other professionals.
At least one year of experience leading a team.
Experience creating or informing strategic plans for a large organization.
Skill, knowledge, or familiarity with Lean methodology.
Experience with the public sector, either through consulting or employment within a government agency.
Familiarity with local transit and mobility systems, including the business model and practices of Sound Transit and/or King County Metro.
Experience using events or project management software.
Experience in budget development and identifying cost efficiencies.
Knowledge of HR principles, labor contracts, and/or experience leading recruitments.
Application & Selection Process
Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as reference checks or internal record reviews.
Work Schedule
The Sr. Events & Culture Program Manager position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00p.m. Work outside of business hours may be required.
Union Membership: This position is represented by PROTEC17.
Hybrid Work
The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment working in the office and at home. Members of the Rail Division’s Engagement Strategy team are currently expected to work a majority of time on site (at least 3 days per week in the office and up to 2 days telecommuting). Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various facilities managed by either Sound Transit, King County, or City of Seattle. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their primary worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Primary location will be 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA. Some work at other Rail Division worksites may be required at times, including out of:
- Federal Way End of Line Facility.
- Maintenance of Way Facility – North (MOWN).
- Maintenance of Way Facility – South (MOWS).
- Operations and Maintenance Facility - East (OMFE) at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.
- First Hill Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility located at 848 7th Ave. S, Seattle, WA.
- South Lake Union Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility located at 318 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA.
CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE: 2441400/ 69
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ebony Ware, Human Resource Analyst, at eware@kingcounty.gov.
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North",we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
KING COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER:
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities 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. 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.
TO APPLY:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
#RailJobs #TradesJobs