Urban Design Manager (Manager 3 Engineering and Plans Review)

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

Position Overview:

We’rehiring an Urban Design Manager to join the Policy & Planning Division. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of Seattle’s streets and public spacesas places tolinger and enjoy. The role leads a team ofsixtalentedurban designers focused on creating inclusive, functional, and people-centered environments. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and supporting a team in delivering thoughtful, effective urban design solutions.

• Collaborating with communities to reflect their needs and aspirations in the public realm.

• Advancing design strategies that align with citywide goals for equity, sustainability, and livability.

• Delivering projects andprograms included in the voter-approved $1.55 billion 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy.

If you're an experienced urban designer and people-leader who values public service and the potential of public space to improve everyday life, we encourage you to apply.

Job Responsibilities:

• Serves as SDOT's principal urban design expert to the department, Mayor, and City Council.
• Maintains responsibility for assignments that are complex and highly sensitive in nature, where substantial judgment and initiative are essential to make recommendations and resolve problems.
• Develops policies and plans for mobility, access, and public realm uses within city street rights-of-way, including the launch of the new People Streets and Public Spaces program.
• Leads urban design studies and develops innovative conceptual design plans.
• Exercises strong project and program (e.g., Complete Streets, Public Life) management skills, establishes performance measures, and conducts ongoing evaluations of their effectiveness.
• Establishes street design guidelines and standards (Streets Illustrated) and supports projects are planned and designed consistently with Seattle’s Complete Streets policies and practices.
• Authoritatively negotiates public and private development project contributions.
• Ensures delivery on 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy voter-commitments. Develops staff and team to effectively advance projects and programs of the Levy.
• Promotes staff training and learning on project management, design principles, communication and implementation.
• Works collaboratively with SDOT and other City agency partners (Office of Arts and Culture, Office of Planning and Development, Office of Sustainability and the Environment, Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, etc.) to inform public and private project design, development and implementation.
• Serves as a core member of the division’s management team.
• Leads and develops a team of professional staff.
• Creates and manages section work plan and budget; establishes program objectives; assesses performance; assigns resources; and directs consultants.
• Supports department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning or design, transportation planning, architecture, landscape architecture, or related field.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of project management experience for large, complex urban design and/or transportation projects.
• Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience, including staff development and conducting performance evaluations.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience:

• Master’s degree in urban planning or design, transportation planning, architecture, landscape architecture, or related field.
• Ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to effectively manage and prioritize a large portfolio.
• Experience working with elected officials, leading matrixed and multi-disciplinary teams, conducting community engagement activities, and developing staff.
• Experiencing with capital project design, development and delivery, working closely with designers, engineers, construction contractors, and city crews.
• Ability to communicate complex issues with a broad range of audiences.
• A demonstrated commitment to equity, safety, and sustainability.

Other Requirements:

Work Environment / PhysicalDemands:

• Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 3 days of the work is completed in a City office, and 2 days of the work is completed remotely in a regular 40-hour work week.

Additional Information:

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Hiring Process

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.

1. Supplemental questionnaire responses.

1. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.

1. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a potential background check.
Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The City’s full salary range for this position is $59.75 – $89.61 hourly.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: .

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and are current SDOT employees. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.
Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.
The City is a Drug Free Workplace.

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