Contracts Transit Section Manager

Summary

Come make a difference and join team Metro! King County Metro Transit’s Finance and Administration Division is seeking an experienced procurement and contracts leader to serve as our next Contracts Transit Section Manager.

The Section Manager of King County Metro’s Contract Management group is responsible for leading and overseeing Metro’s contract lifecycle management, and contract portfolio management functions. This role ensures the effective acquisition of goods and services, end‑to‑end contract administration, strong portfolio governance, and delivery of best value to the organization.

The Section Manager provides strategic leadership, manages a team of contract professionals, and drives continuous improvement across all contracting practices. As Metro’s operational and organizational needs evolve, this role will guide the development, integration, and oversight of additional contracting portfolios and emerging service requirements.

This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week onsite to support team collaboration, coaching, and in‑person leadership presence. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.

The position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

• Lead, supervise, and develop King County Metro’s new Contract Management section, including performance management, workforce planning, and staff training and development.
• Oversee and support the full procurement lifecycle: sourcing strategies; solicitations (RFPs, RFQs, IFBs, waivers); evaluations; negotiations; awards; and vendor selection.
• Provide effective contract portfolio management, ensuring centralized visibility and governance, risk management and compliance, cross‑functional collaboration, data‑driven decision making, and value optimization across Metro’s goods and services contracts.
• Guide and oversee the complete contract lifecycle, including drafting, negotiation, execution, administration, amendments, renewals, and closeout.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, King County policies, and ethical procurement standards.
• Develop, implement, and maintain procurement and contract management policies, procedures, templates, and internal controls.
• Strengthen department staff capabilities in modern procurement, contract management, and portfolio governance practices.
• Collaborate with internal partners (King County Procurement, Legal, Finance, Operations, Project Management, and divisions across Metro) to align procurement and contracting strategies with organizational objectives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate procurement and contractual risks; resolve escalated issues and disputes.
• Develop tools to monitor supplier and contract performance, ensuring service levels, deliverables, and financial obligations are met.
• Support audits, reporting, and internal reviews related to procurement and contract activities.
• Develop, approve, and monitor the budget; determine and allocate resources.
• Leverage procurement, contracting, and portfolio management systems to improve efficiency, transparency, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Lead integration of new procurement portfolios and functions as organizational needs expand, including operational, capital, and technical acquisition categories.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including cost savings, process optimization, and supplier performance enhancements.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Law, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in procurement, contract portfolio management, or contract lifecycle management.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience managing or leading teams.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
• Strong knowledge of contract portfolio management, contract lifecycle management, and procurement principles; fundamentals of contract law; and…