Senior Director of External Relations, WSF

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! 

The state ferry system is essential to Washington's transportation network, linking communities on both sides of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. With more than 1,800 employees across the division transporting nearly 19 million passengers a year, our dedicated staff perform a variety of work on the vessels, at the terminals, at the maintenance facility in Eagle Harbor, and at the division headquarters located in downtown Seattle.

The Opportunity

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Director to lead our External Relations Division comprising Government Relations, Customer Service, Community Engagement, Planning, and Communications. Reporting directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, this individual will be the primary advisor on high-profile public-facing issues and will drive strategic initiatives shaping the organization’s direction. This is a key leadership role responsible for liaising with elected officials, community stakeholders, and internal teams, while fostering collaboration across multiple programs. This role provides strategic oversight on long-term service and fare planning, government relations, and customer service to ensure WSF maintains its role as a critical transportation service in the region.

The Senior Director will join WSF’s Strategic Leadership Team and play an essential role in advancing WSF’s core values – Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate – through active leadership and innovative public engagement strategies. This position will lead a team focused on fostering positive relationships with legislators, transportation leaders, and community members, while ensuring timely, transparent communications across diverse audiences.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role the External Relations Director will:

• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions.
• Provide oversight, leadership, and guidance to the Government Relations, Customer Service, Communications, Community Engagement, and Planning divisions.
• Negotiate on behalf of WSF with legislators, legislative staff, and OFM budget and policy staff on legislation introduced in the House or Senate.
• Represent WSF on related matters to elected officials, community groups, and 11 Ferry Advisory Committees.
• Coordinate team leadership with two deputy directors – Communications & Planning, Customer and Government Relations.
• Lead the organization’s strategic planning efforts, including day-to-day service planning, long-range planning, and decennial updates to the Long Range Plan.
• Oversee customer service and customer relations activities, supporting the Senior Manager of Customer Programs and Information with daily operations and customer-facing programs.
• Serve as strategic executive leader, supporting the WSF Public Information Officer and the Communications team, ensuring effective internal and external communications and media relations.

Required Qualifications:

• Education & Experience:
  • Knowledge of public administration, business administration, communications, political science, public policy, or related field.
  • Extensive professional experience in legislative and government relations and applying managerial principles.
• Leadership & Management Skills:
  • Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams in a complex organizational environment.
  • Experience in coaching, mentoring, and developing staff, fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture.
• Strategic Planning & Government Relations:
  • Demonstrated ability to manage strategic planning efforts, including service planning and long-term planning.
  • Extensive experience working with legislators, government agencies, and managing legislative affairs.
• Communication & Public Relations:
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience handling internal and external communications and media relations.
  • Ability to represent the organization in high-profile public-facing situations, including media interactions and community outreach.
• Customer Service Oversight:
  • Ability to manage customer service operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and effective communication with customers and stakeholders.
• Budget & Financial Management:
  • Understanding of budget preparation and expenditure coordination, ensuring financial controls and cost containment.
• Crisis Management:
  • Proven success in managing crisis communications, coordinating with stakeholders, and maintaining public trust in times of service disruptions or emergencies.
• Media Relations & Public Speaking:
  • Experience in public speaking and engaging with a variety of audiences in both formal and informal settings. 
• Legislative Expertise:
  • Strong relationships with, and deep knowledge of, Washington’s legislative community and processes, including experience navigating complex political environments.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Experience working with regional planning organizations, labor groups, industry stakeholders, and other government entities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Transportation Planning & Logistics:
  • Knowledge and experience in transportation planning, logistics, and understanding of Washington State’s ferry systems.
• Senior-Level Experience:
  • Senior-level experience in a state or federal policy position, especially related to transportation or public service.

Important Notes 

• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary listed is eligible the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions located in King County. 
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code. 
• Application review will begin on April 17, 2025. Candidate selection may take place at any time thereafter. It is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible. 
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Why WSDOT 

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. WSDOT offers a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.  
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.  
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information. 

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. 

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. 

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact Krystle Jones at jonesk@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference EXTERNAL RELATIONS in the subject line. 

Salary : $141,456 - $176,832