Arts & Culture Manager

Summary

King County Executive Zahilay’s Office is launching a new Economic Opportunity & Activation team that will support and foster economic growth in unincorporated communities by empowering and partnering with residents, businesses, and organizations to drive initiatives and create equitable opportunities that strengthen local economies and create lasting prosperity. To lead this work, we are seeking a collaborative, organized, and knowledgeable Arts & Culture Manager (Manager).

This role will serve as the Executive Office’s primary point of contact and a resource for arts and cultural engagement, working closely with community‑based organizations, cultural institutions, creative entrepreneurs, artists, and other government offices.

• Be the lead advisor for the Executive on cultural policy, programming, and investments.
• Develop and implement strategic arts and cultural initiatives on behalf of the King County Executive.
• Expand access to arts and cultural programming through arts‑based activation and placemaking.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with artists, cultural organizations, tribal governments, other government offices and underserved communities.
• Support equitable access to arts, culture, and heritage programming.
• Lead community engagement efforts focused on creative‑sector input, including identifying gaps where an arts infrastructure may not exist.
• Collaborate with other departments on cross‑agency cultural projects and public space initiatives.
• Represent the Executive’s Office in events, forums, partnerships, and regional collaborations.

• A focus on being out in the county to connect and build relationships with those we serve and the partners we work with.
• In‑office presence minimum of 3 days a week. Meetings may not have a call‑in option for required in‑person days, and the expectation is to be in the office.
• Be on time, respectful of others’ time, and responsive when needed.
• Bring an urgency to the work. We will start fast. The work will be intense, challenging, and incredibly rewarding.
• Meetings will have written expectations, including an agenda with the goals and outcomes. Owners and next steps will be clear.
• Processes and work will continuously improve.

• Serve with integrity.
• Show initiative and work hard.
• Prioritize outcomes over optics.
• Center those most impacted and put “boots on the ground.”
• Resolve challenges with a “yes, and” mindset.
• Work as one, adaptable, mission‑driven team.

• Experience in arts and cultural policy, community‑based arts work, or creative‑sector program management.
• Strong commitment to strengthening communities through the arts.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and trust with diverse communities.
• Experience navigating environments with varying resources.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to navigate political, government, and community environments.

This is a rare opportunity to shape how King County delivers for its residents. The Arts & Culture Manager will help bring the King County Delivers vision to life—turning bold ideas into accountable, transparent, and effective government action. The King County Executive Office serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We are action‑oriented, creative problem‑solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact.

• Competitive executive‑level salary, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and leave benefits.
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities.

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement: participation in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan.
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass.
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays.
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave.
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Wellness programs.
• O…