Sound Transit · 8 hours ago
Deputy Executive Director-Learning & Development
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$165K/yr - $315K/yr
10+ years expSound Transit is seeking a strategic, business-minded innovative leader for the Learning & Development function. This role involves leading workforce capability learning, development, and talent readiness to ensure employees have the necessary skills and support for delivering complex transportation projects.
Public TransportationRailroadTransportation
Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of a multi-year learning and capability strategy aligned and integrated with business, talent and learning outcomes to achieve organizational goals and future workforce needs
Collaborate cross-functionally and partner with other People and Culture divisions, operational departments, and senior leadership to align learning strategies with workforce planning, succession planning, and critical role development
Ensure learning initiatives are measurable, scalable, tied to business outcomes, and manage learning offerings a product portfolio
Identify current and future skill gaps and build learning solutions that support transformation, growth, and change
Support enterprise transformation initiatives by embedding learning and building capability into change efforts
Oversee learning programs tied to performance, engagement, culture, and retention
Leverage data and insights to continuously improve and influence learning effectiveness
Establish the enterprise vision, principles, and standards for instructional design to ensure learning solutions are strategic, scalable, and driven by outcomes
Provide executive oversight for instructional design practices, ensuring alignment with adult learning theory, accessibility standards, and organizational priorities
Ensure learning solutions are intentionally designed to drive behavior change, performance improvement, and business impact
Champion modern learning design approaches and ensure the organization adopts effective, evidence-based modalities at scale
Ensure effective partnership models between instructional design, subject matter experts, and business leaders
Hold teams accountable for using data, learner insights, and performance metrics to assess and improve learning effectiveness
Adopt an agile approach to accelerate learning design and delivery that integrates data-driven, AI-enabled technology to drive personalized learning experiences
Ensures all learning experiences reflect inclusive design principles, meet accessibility and equity standards, and activate diverse learning opportunities for personal and professional growth that delivers broad access to development
Serve as a thought partner to leaders across the organization, providing guidance on strategy, prioritization, and complex decision-making
Support leaders in translating enterprise priorities into clear goals, roadmaps, and execution plans for their teams
Encourage strong cross-functional collaboration by supporting leaders in building influence and partnerships across the organization
Provide perspective and course correction when needed, balancing empowerment with appropriate oversight
Model calm, values-based leadership during periods of transformation or pressure
Enlist senior leaders as learning and development advocates to provide a safe and effective learning environment to drive shared ownership for an organizational learning culture
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on learning, development, and workforce capability
Communicate clearly and credibly with executives, translating learning strategies into business value
Influence without authority and drive alignment across functions for learning impact Elevate the divisions reputational brand by engaging with employees, leaders and communities as active partners to drive learning adoption
Lead and develop a high-performing Learning & Development leadership team
Optimize and mature the Learning & Development function through shared direction, organizational agility, team health, and continuous improvement
Manage the L&D budget and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources
Build strong cross-functional partnerships with People and Culture Leaders, Executive Leadership, and the agency
Establish clear governance, roles, and operating rhythms across L&D teams
Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrate values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency
Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy
It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees
It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Organizational Development, Adult Learning, Human Resources, Business Administration, or closely related field
Ten years of significant progressive experience in Learning & Development, Talent Development, or Organizational Development; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide learning and development strategies, practices, processes, structures and learning science
Experience leading through ambiguity, change, or transformation by creating purpose that compels others to action through the organization's vision, mission, and strategy
Proven ability to partner with senior leaders and influence at the executive level by navigating comfortably through organizational dynamics of power, structure, relationships, and decision-making
Strong business acumen with the ability to connect learning to measurable outcomes
Experience leading and building healthy teams by fostering and promoting team commitment, synergy, pride, and well-being
Experience in establishing, allocating, and maximizing financial, people and technology resources for effective operations to achieve goals
Demonstrated success operating in complex, matrixed and fast-paced environments
Demonstrates and models leadership courage by stepping up to champion bold ideas, challenge established practices, and addressing difficult issues
Background in capability development, change management, or workforce transformation
Strong interpersonal acumen demonstrated by emotional intelligence, collaboration and including skills in working with complex and dynamic organizations
Familiarity with learning technologies, data, and analytics and how to leverage them to influence functional and business strategies
Benefits
Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all 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. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide 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 will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
Company
Sound Transit
Sound Transit is a public transit agency serving the Seattle metropolitan area.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Juan Higuera
Chief of Staff to CEO
John S. Henry, CPA, CMA, CTP
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Recent News
2025-12-05
Company data provided by crunchbase