Sound Transit
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Deputy Executive Director-Real Estate
role at
Sound Transit The
Deputy Executive Director-Real Estate
role at
Sound Transit
offers a salary range of $260K to $340K with a midpoint of $300K. 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: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner. Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance. Employee Assistance Program. Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by
Sound Transit ; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution). Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year. Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents. Pet Insurance. ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost. Tuition Reimbursement:
Sound Transit
will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses. General Purpose Under administrative direction of the Executive Director of the Center of Excellence, the
Deputy Executive Director-Real Property
provides strategic and enterprise-level leadership for all real property functions across
Sound Transit’s
multi-billion-dollar capital portfolio—ensuring real estate risk management, systems integration, and long-range planning are fully aligned with agency-wide delivery objectives and the region’s high-capacity transit vision. This position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive real estate strategies that directly support the agency’s program delivery, operational needs, and long-term land stewardship goals. Essential Functions Drives results through strategic foresight and planning, expert judgment, and collaborative execution—ensuring the agency’s real estate assets and acquisition strategies support sustainable, equitable, and cost-effective transit delivery. Responsible for overseeing a historic volume of land acquisition across the Puget Sound region, encompassing more than 2,000 property purchases over a seven-year period and managing an estimated portfolio valued at approximately $1 billion. Sets the strategic vision for
Sound Transit’s
real estate function and leads implementation across all capital programs. Leads the development and implementation of the annual Real Property Strategy Plan, including performance metrics, cost targets, and measurable KPIs. Explore early acquisition strategies, innovative delivery models, and cost-saving solutions, consistent with
Sound Transit’s
legal requirements to maximize federal participation in funding projects while improving project schedule certainty and community outcomes without compromising the overall budget. Develops and leads respectful, transparent real estate engagement strategies with impacted communities and property owners. Manages, mentors, and evaluates the performance of assigned real estate staff. Coordinates real estate delivery across projects and lines of business, working collaboratively with project teams to assess cross-program priorities and ensure alignment. Manages consultant contracts and professional service agreements related to property acquisition, appraisals, title, relocation, and property management. Oversees preparation and management of the real estate division’s annual operating and capital budgets. Prepares and delivers clear, concise, and accurate communications to senior leadership, executive staff, and the
Sound Transit
Board. Serves on internal and external committees, task forces, and advisory groups. 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. Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Insurance, Real Estate, Finance, or closely related field. Ten years of increasing responsibility in real estate including right of way acquisition, relocation, property management, and relocation assistance for federally funded programs; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience. Required Knowledge And Skills Advanced knowledge of real estate principles, practices, and procedures related to acquisition, appraisal, relocation, property management, and surplus disposition. Deep understanding of right-of-way processes, the requirements of the Uniform Relocation Act, property valuation, lease negotiation, and portfolio management. Ability to interpret title reports, right-of-way plans, legal descriptions, and construction drawings. Skilled in reading and understanding architectural, engineering, and construction plans as they relate to land use and acquisition. Familiarity with real estate support functions for transit-oriented development, operations, and facility site selection. Knowledge of federal transit project development and property acquisition requirements, including FTA coordination and documentation standards. Demonstrated experience with successfully developing and managing the principles and practices required for program development, budget administration, and project management in a complex, multi-project environment. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage consultants, and delegate authority effectively. Experience overseeing large-scale capital delivery and managing competing priorities across multiple business lines. Strong supervision skills, including planning for expanding and contracting consultant needs, training, coaching, performance evaluation, and workforce development. 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.
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Deputy Executive Director-Real Estate
role at
Sound Transit The
Deputy Executive Director-Real Estate
role at
Sound Transit
offers a salary range of $260K to $340K with a midpoint of $300K. 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: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner. Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance. Employee Assistance Program. Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by
Sound Transit ; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution). Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year. Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents. Pet Insurance. ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost. Tuition Reimbursement:
Sound Transit
will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses. General Purpose Under administrative direction of the Executive Director of the Center of Excellence, the
Deputy Executive Director-Real Property
provides strategic and enterprise-level leadership for all real property functions across
Sound Transit’s
multi-billion-dollar capital portfolio—ensuring real estate risk management, systems integration, and long-range planning are fully aligned with agency-wide delivery objectives and the region’s high-capacity transit vision. This position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive real estate strategies that directly support the agency’s program delivery, operational needs, and long-term land stewardship goals. Essential Functions Drives results through strategic foresight and planning, expert judgment, and collaborative execution—ensuring the agency’s real estate assets and acquisition strategies support sustainable, equitable, and cost-effective transit delivery. Responsible for overseeing a historic volume of land acquisition across the Puget Sound region, encompassing more than 2,000 property purchases over a seven-year period and managing an estimated portfolio valued at approximately $1 billion. Sets the strategic vision for
Sound Transit’s
real estate function and leads implementation across all capital programs. Leads the development and implementation of the annual Real Property Strategy Plan, including performance metrics, cost targets, and measurable KPIs. Explore early acquisition strategies, innovative delivery models, and cost-saving solutions, consistent with
Sound Transit’s
legal requirements to maximize federal participation in funding projects while improving project schedule certainty and community outcomes without compromising the overall budget. Develops and leads respectful, transparent real estate engagement strategies with impacted communities and property owners. Manages, mentors, and evaluates the performance of assigned real estate staff. Coordinates real estate delivery across projects and lines of business, working collaboratively with project teams to assess cross-program priorities and ensure alignment. Manages consultant contracts and professional service agreements related to property acquisition, appraisals, title, relocation, and property management. Oversees preparation and management of the real estate division’s annual operating and capital budgets. Prepares and delivers clear, concise, and accurate communications to senior leadership, executive staff, and the
Sound Transit
Board. Serves on internal and external committees, task forces, and advisory groups. 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. Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Insurance, Real Estate, Finance, or closely related field. Ten years of increasing responsibility in real estate including right of way acquisition, relocation, property management, and relocation assistance for federally funded programs; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience. Required Knowledge And Skills Advanced knowledge of real estate principles, practices, and procedures related to acquisition, appraisal, relocation, property management, and surplus disposition. Deep understanding of right-of-way processes, the requirements of the Uniform Relocation Act, property valuation, lease negotiation, and portfolio management. Ability to interpret title reports, right-of-way plans, legal descriptions, and construction drawings. Skilled in reading and understanding architectural, engineering, and construction plans as they relate to land use and acquisition. Familiarity with real estate support functions for transit-oriented development, operations, and facility site selection. Knowledge of federal transit project development and property acquisition requirements, including FTA coordination and documentation standards. Demonstrated experience with successfully developing and managing the principles and practices required for program development, budget administration, and project management in a complex, multi-project environment. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage consultants, and delegate authority effectively. Experience overseeing large-scale capital delivery and managing competing priorities across multiple business lines. Strong supervision skills, including planning for expanding and contracting consultant needs, training, coaching, performance evaluation, and workforce development. 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr