Senior Managing Director, Growth Management Services (WMS 3)

About the Department

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Position Duties

Budget and Financial Management:
• Set the strategic direction for the unit’s programs, including managing the unit’s financial resources to stay within established allotments, and seeking other external funding opportunities.
• Distribute state and federal funding to local government, community-based nonprofits and tribes based on state policy priorities ensuring that contracts comply with agency, state, and federal rules and regulations.

Communication and Partnerships:
• Represent Commerce and the state’s growth management program to stakeholders. Develop and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders and participate in Growth Management Act (GMA) planning processes with other state, local, and federal organizations. Collaborate on GMA related activities with the Puget Sound Partnership, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Department of Transportation, local regional councils and others, and provide advice on the state’s role in the GMA and the role of local planning in implementing state policy priorities.

Governmental Relations:
• This position is directly responsible for working the members of the legislature in support of the agency and the Governor’s legislative agenda related to the Growth Management Act. This includes providing testimony to the legislature on bills during session, working with members of draft legislation and working with other stakeholders to find common ground and develop mutually beneficial solutions to issues that are brought to the legislature. This position reviews and approves bill analysis and fiscal notes for the program.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:
Nine (9) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
Experience must include:
• A minimum of three years of experience managing and leading staff within a team environment, able to effectively delegate assignments, provide feedback and maintain open communications among staff. Supervision and professional development of staff, including hiring staff, balancing workload requirements, performance evaluation, training, mentoring, and staff coaching to ensure ongoing and adequate staffing to meet program requirements, and effective leadership.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience developing, drafting and implementing executive and administrative policies.
• Knowledge of the Washington State Planning Enabling Act, Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, Regulatory Reform Act, and other related laws; local land use planning practice; local and state governance; capital improvement planning, financing and project management; sustainable development principles; conflict resolution techniques; management principles and practices; state and federal grants administration; state legislative processes; information systems management; and state budgeting processes.

Education involves urban and regional planning, business, public administration/policy or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:
• 9 years of experience
• 8 years of experience and one year of education
• 7 years of experience and two years of education
• 6 years of experience and three years of education
• 5 years of experience and four years of education
• 4 years of experience and five years of education
• 3 years of experience and six years of education

Required Position Competencies:
• Ability to provide advanced-level communication to the department’s executive management, divisions, program managers and other state agency representatives.
• Ability to work effectively and collaborate with staff, management, stakeholders, constituent groups, and others.
• Ability to effectively balance multiple work priorities.
• Ability to intuitively anticipate problems and the impact of potential changes.
• Strong interpersonal skills including building relationships, problem solving, teamwork.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
• Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning.
• Master’s degree in urban and regional planning or related field
• American Institute of Certified Planners preferred.
• Experience as a local government planning director or planning manager with GMA implementation responsibility.

Required Commerce Core Competencies:
Service focus: Treat fellow employees, clients, and the public as partners and collaborators who are equally committed to a healthy, prosperous Washington. Build and maintain internal and external satisfaction with the services offered by the agency. Consistently strive to exceed expectations.
• Consistently help customers, residents, and coworkers achieve desired outcomes, gaining their trust and respect.
• Actively seek feedback on the quality of services provided.
• Consistently demonstrates an interest in solving problems.
• Anticipates, assesses and responds to changing needs.
• Seek out ways to enhance the satisfaction of residents and coworkers by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
• Gain the confidence of residents and coworkers by making sure that long-term needs are met.
• Respond to customer reactions by considering alternatives.
• Share service lessons with others within the organization.
• Emphasize team approach to providing excellent service.

Adaptability and flexibility: Solve problems, consider different perspectives, and find new and creative ways to accomplish your work. Adapt quickly to changing needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. Adapt approaches, goals, and methods to achieve successful solutions and outcomes.
• Anticipates and communicates possible changes.
• Sees and considers different alternatives to reach a given end.
• Adjust strategies or tactics if the current ones are not working.
• Demonstrates creativity and innovation in developing alternatives or new approaches.
• Overcomes obstacles, inertia, and/or resistance to change.
• Manages and implements change to increase acceptance and reduce anxiety.
• Clarifies priorities when leading change.
• Embrace change as a way to accomplish goals more effectively.
• Works comfortably with people of differing styles, temperaments, and preferences.
• Deal maturely with anger, frustration, and disappointment.
• Bounce back quickly from problems and frustrations.

Communication: Communicate clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner. Actively listen and engage in open, respectful, professional dialogue. Perform work in a helpful, friendly, and positive manner.
• Participate in meetings in an active, cooperative, and courteous manner.
• Write appropriately for the audience and situation.
• Write clearly and succinctly; communicate intentions and rationale.
• Avoids “bureaucratese” whenever possible in written and oral communications.
• Demonstrates understanding and empathy with the listener or reader.
• Is responsive and timely in responding to e-mails, phone messages, and mail.
• Makes others feel comfortable and willing to engage in conversation.
• Is willing to connect residents and business clients with other agency representatives, as necessary.
• Ensures that appropriate coworkers are involved in conversations if they need to be.
• Listen well to others and accurately convey their ideas.

Accountability: Accept personal responsibility and accountability for the quality and timeliness of your work and for meeting workplace expectations. Achieve excellent results with minimal oversight. Link agency mission/vision/values to everyday work.
• Recognize that the records produced through agency work are valuable agency assets and takes steps to organize and protect these assets using established tools, policies, and procedures.
• Acknowledge and corrects mistakes; doesn’t make excuses for errors or problems.
• Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Understand, communicates, and measures goals accurately.
• Stay focused on tasks despite distractions and interruptions.
• Make the best use of available time and resources.
• Appropriately balances quality of work with ability to meet deadlines.
• Faces up to problems with people quickly and directly.
• Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how to best achieve them.
• Set high goals and achieve them.
• Pay attention to their own performance and work to improve.
• Asks for feedback on performance and makes efforts to improve.

Trust and integrity: Remain objective at all times and ensure that professional judgment, rather than personal opinion, influences our work. Earn the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Respect and maintain confidentiality.
• Keeps promises and commitments made to others.
• Avoids inappropriate situations and associations.
• Doesn’t misrepresent themself for personal gain; uses the public’s funds and resources appropriately.
• Avoids rumor, gossip, and subjective opinions in decision-making.
• Admits mistakes despite the potential for negative consequences.
• Presents unpleasant or disagreeable facts in an appropriate manner.

Relationships: Build and maintain cooperative relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance and cooperation.
• Gains the support of others.
• Builds voluntary cooperation through credibility, expertise, influence, and persuasion.
• Anticipates and recognizes the concerns of others.
• Patiently solicits and considers ideas from those who are reluctant to express their points of view.
• Anticipates and seeks to resolve confrontations and disagreements constructively.
• Respect the opinions or work of other people, regardless of their status or position; treat all with dignity and respect.
• Recognizes and celebrates success and achievement.
• Promotes the contributions and accomplishments of customers or clients to others; actively supports the good ideas of others.
• Acts as a positive influence on others.

WA State and the Department of Commerce has a set of required core competencies for all employees. They cover areas such as having a service focus, operating with trust and integrity, leadership, DEIB commitment, and upholding accountability and performance standards. To receive the full list of competencies please email: [email protected]

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

Other Qualifications

This position needs to be within 50 miles of our Olympia, Seattle, or Spokane duty stations.  If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at [email protected].
 
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity 
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at [email protected].  Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
               
Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

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