Senior Program Manager - Finance

Position Overview

Salary: $81k to $180k with a midpoint of $129k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market. Under general direction, this position assumes responsibility to plan and implement Finance strategies, policies and procedure programs, and projects for the financial planning and budgeting team; identifies agency risks, develops solutions, and leads efforts to develop and improve business practices, processes, policies and procedures; and facilitates and communicates with cross‐functional agency-wide teams to effectively implement Finance or agency-wide policies and processes. The role requires expert-level performance in financial planning and budgeting, providing complex analysis, strategic thinking, and ad hoc project support to the Financial Planning, Analysis & Budget division while engaging independently with diverse teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Works with and facilitates agency-wide teams of employees to formulate, implement, and sustain effective programs, procedures, and continuous process improvements.
• Coordinates resources, schedules, and plans; provides constructive feedback; and reviews the work of key partner inputs and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Develops and fosters strong working relationships within the team, agency departments, contractors, and external parties.
• Leads the implementation and oversees FP&A and budgeting related programs, agreements review, Board reports and presentations; takes assignments from original concept through final implementation.
• Leads the research, analysis, and analytical support for Finance managed programs; coordinates with internal/external professionals, agency staff/consultants, local jurisdictions, and affected community and business groups.
• Stays current in the field of FP&A, budget, and accounting and applies new trends into existing policies and procedures; trains stakeholders on any changes to existing practices on a regular basis.
• Oversees the research and analysis of information from various sources to interpret key data, evaluate and develop reports or presentations for assigned stakeholders, and makes recommendations based on findings. Implements tools and techniques to manage projects and tasks to facilitate solutions.
• Provides support to the FP&A division on matters as directed; participates on various committees; prepares and presents reports and correspondence; and ensures processes, policies and practices are consistently and effectively applied across the Sound Transit system in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Represents FP&A and Finance in meetings, presentations, workshops, and training sessions, and serves on ST committees as directed.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal techniques and a commitment to work with diverse groups both within and outside Finance; prepares reports, agreements, and other documents; presents results; identifies alternatives; and offers recommendations while responding tactfully and concisely to inquiries.
• Shows commitment, enthusiasm, and initiative in task performance, works effectively under pressure, meets deadlines, and adjusts to changing priorities as needed.
• Facilitates cross-functional teams on transformation projects and management system processes, including acting as a project manager and facilitator to support an agency-wide shift in work processes.
• Builds capability and supports business process re-engineering, business process modeling, and data analysis to examine end-to-end processes for improved efficiency.
• Partners with other units to ensure close alignment of the agency's programs that promote process and change improvements.
• Conducts presentations to large and executive audiences, including reports and other information that facilitate decision making.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values through values-based behaviors in daily interactions.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• Follows the agency's safety rules, regulations, and procedures related to assigned duties, which may include systems, operations, and interactions with other employees.
• Integrates sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or a closely related field; five years of practical/professional experience managing Finance related programs or providing high-level project/program support to senior management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience to leverage data and systems to align processes through automations, process simplifications, and standardization.
• Organization, attention to detail, and follow-through on both small and large tasks.
• Strong strategic and system thinking, leadership, and relationship management coupled with excellent communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities; analytical and quantitative; organized; a fast learner capable of multi-tasking in a fast-paced, results-oriented, and culturally diverse environment.
• Proactive management of resources and priorities, with expertise in leading and coaching high-performance teams.
• Experience with consulting contracts and vendor management.
• Knowledge of budgeting principles, financial analysis and reporting, cash flow modeling, present/future value analysis, statistics, and economics.
• Familiarity with project/program management techniques, principles, and terminology.
• General knowledge of accounting principles.
• Understanding of organizational structures, workflows, operating procedures, management principles, and research techniques for data reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint) and experience with online database systems for financial reporting, document management, and financial transactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six Sigma and/or PMP certifications.
• Experience in business process management or management consulting (internal/external).
• A visionary leader and innovative change agent with the ability to define vision and achieve desired outcomes.
• Demonstrated courage to challenge the status quo.
• Strong collaboration skills across multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and the complexity of processes.
• Experience with complex processes, asset management, operations, and finance business data.
• Experience in building solutions to address business challenges with an understanding of the intersection between processes, technology, data, and business needs.

Benefits & Perks

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan 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. Directors and above accrue additional days. Additionally, there are 12 paid holidays, 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 receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.