Deputy Secretary Highway and Multimodal Delivery

Deputy Secretary Position at WSDOT

** Please note, this job posting close date has been extended until July 8, 2026. Application review will begin on June 24, 2026. Candidate selection may take place at any time thereafter. It is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.**

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is seeking a mission-driven leader to serve as Deputy Secretary and principal operating and delivery officer for the state's multimodal and highway transportation system. As a key member of the Secretary's executive leadership team, this role provides agency-wide leadership in developing and implementing strategies, policies, and performance objectives that guide the planning, delivery, and operation of transportation programs across a large, complex organization.

The Deputy Secretary leads executive managers in executing WSDOT's strategic plan, advancing the agency's vision, mission, and values, and ensuring the transportation system is safe, reliable, and maintained in a state of good repair despite funding constraints.

In partnership with executive leadership, this role oversees near-term operations while shaping a long-term vision that supports sustainable funding, infrastructure preservation, system modernization, and the integration of innovative technologies. The Deputy Secretary also ensures alignment with legislative and strategic goals, including advancing equity, economic development, and efficient, environmentally responsible transportation solutions, while promoting Lean practices to enhance organizational effectiveness. We are looking for a passionate, action-oriented leader with an innovative approach to operational management to fill this critical role.

The Deputy Secretary serves as one of the senior-most executive roles after the Secretary for an agency of approximately 7,800 employees statewide. In conjunction with the Secretary, Assistant Secretaries and Directors, the incumbent is directly responsible for developing and implementing agency-wide strategies and policies that govern all non-marine aspects of the state's transportation system.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Deputy Secretary for Highway and Multimodal Delivery will:

• Provide programmatic leadership and input for all strategic plan implementation processes.
• Increase the focus of the organization on the use of transportation demand management, strategies and operational improvements that incorporate smart technology to maximize the operational efficiency and safety of the system.
• Identify opportunities for WSDOT to leverage organizational strengths across agency programs to take advantage of new opportunities and/or to address organizational challenges.
• Sponsor and champion workforce development and training programs to support staff development throughout the agency.
• Lead, coach, develop, and retain WSDOT's high-performance senior management team with an emphasis on developing capacity in strategic analysis planning and program budgeting.
• Prepare and submit, in partnership with the Principal Financial Officer, an annual operational budget and capital delivery plan update.
• Foster a culture that promotes safety, employee satisfaction, and customer service.
• Work to identify both internal and external opportunity gaps and bridge those gaps to reduce disparities.
• Serve as a key external representative of WSDOT, building and maintaining strong partnerships with governmental entities, tribal governments, regional and local agencies and partner organizations to advance shared transportation goals.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required :

• Executive Leadership & Organizational Management: Ability to lead a complex, multi-program organization by setting strategic direction, directing leaders and managers, building high-performing teams, and implementing effective and innovative operational approaches.
• Strategic Agility & Innovation: Demonstrated the ability to identify emerging opportunities, adapt programs to changing conditions, and implement innovative solutions within complex and evolving organizational environments.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development: Ability to serve as an effective spokesperson and build, sustain, and strengthen partnerships across governmental, tribal, non-profit, private sector, and community organizations to advance shared transportation and public-interest goals.
• Transportation Systems &…