Summary

This job involves leading the development and oversight of labor policies and agreements for a major transportation department, advising top executives on workforce strategies, and negotiating with unions and partners to ensure smooth project delivery.

It requires balancing legal rules, budgets, and political factors while representing the agency in sensitive situations.

A good fit would be an experienced leader in labor relations with a strong background in policy-making and executive advising, particularly in public sector or construction fields.

Key Requirements

Demonstrated executive-level experience in advising on complex labor policy and workforce strategy
Proven ability to lead negotiations, implementation, and oversight of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)
Expertise in establishing agency-wide policy frameworks for labor compliance and standards
Strong skills in liaising with labor organizations, contractors, elected officials, and external partners
Ability to provide high-level analysis and recommendations on labor law, risk, and fiscal impacts
Experience representing an organization in politically sensitive and high-visibility environments
Competence in balancing legal compliance, project delivery, and public accountability

Full Job Description

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence.

Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state.

In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a strategic, mission-driven executive to serve as Director of External Labor Relations and Policy.

Reporting to the Secretary of Transportation, this Director position operates at the highest levels of the agency and serves as the principal advisor on external labor policy, workforce strategy, and the governance and utilization of project labor agreements (PLAs).

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role provides expertise and strategic direction for labor policy frameworks impacting WSDOT’s statewide construction program, ensuring compliance with state and federal law, alignment with agency priorities, fiscal stewardship, and long-term operational effectiveness.

What to Expect

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

Provide executive leadership, governance, and strategic direction for the negotiation, implementation, and oversight of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and related workforce policies across WSDOT’s construction programs.
Establish and oversee agencywide policy frameworks, standards, and procedures governing the consistent application of PLAs.
Exercise full authority to approve all PLA-related documents, including dispute resolutions and agreements.
Serve as WSDOT’s senior executive liaison with labor organizations, contractors, industry groups, small businesses, elected officials, and other external partners.
Represent the Secretary of Transportation and the agency’s strategic position on external workforce and labor matters in high-visibility and politically sensitive environments.
Provide executive-level analysis and recommendations to the Secretary and Executive Leadership Team regarding labor law, compliance, risk, and workforce strategy.
Prepare agency responses to labor-related legislation, regulatory proposals, and external project labor agreement inquiries.
Lead complex negotiations and manage high-impact labor issues with significant fiscal, compliance, delivery, and reputational implications.
Balance legal compliance, workforce stability, fiscal impacts, project delivery needs, political considerations, and public accountability.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

Executive Labor Policy Leadership

Demonstrated ability to serve as a senior executive advisor on complex external labor policy matters, providing strategic guidance that informs high-level decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic counsel to executive leadership on workforce policy, labor relations, and transportation-related labor strategy, aligning recommendations with statutory authority and executive priorities.
Demonstrated ability to shape, implement, and monitor enterprise-level labor policy, ensuring broad organizational alignment and measurable impact.

Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Expertise

Demonstrated ability to develop, negotiate, implement, and oversee compliance for Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) within large, complex construction programs.
Demonstrated ability to establish governance frameworks, standards, and procedures that ensure consistent and compliant PLA application across programs and regions.
Demonstrated ability to anticipate and evaluate downstream impacts of labor policy decisions on project delivery, fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, and organizational reputation.

Advanced Negotiation & Dispute Resolution

Demonstrated ability to lead high-level negotiations involving multiple stakeholders with competing interests, achieving durable and strategically aligned agreements.
Demonstrated ability to apply mediation and conflict resolution strategies to resolve sensitive or high-impact labor disputes.
Demonstrated ability to balance political, operational, fiscal, and legal considerations when structuring agreements or resolving complex labor issues.

Legal & Regulatory Acumen

Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply state and federal labor laws, executive orders, and regulatory requirements in policy development and operational decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to assess legal risk and ensure organizational compliance with governing authorities.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate legislative proposals and regulatory changes and provide strategic recommendations based on organizational impact.

Strategic Governance & Enterprise Leadership

Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within an executive leadership team, providing informed and independent judgment while respecting governance structures and decision-making authority.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound independent judgment within approved statutory and executive parameters.
Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes in matrixed organizations through credibility, collaboration, and strategic alignment.

Risk & Fiscal Stewardship

Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and mitigate fiscal, operational, compliance, and reputational risks associated with labor policy decisions.
Demonstrated ability to make decisions that safeguard public funds and promote long-term program stability, performance, and accountability.

High-Visibility Public Representation

Demonstrated ability to represent the organization in politically sensitive and highly visible environments, maintaining credibility, professionalism, and strategic clarity.
Demonstrated ability to engage labor organizations, industry groups, elected officials, regulatory bodies, and external partners in a manner that advances organizational objectives while preserving public trust.

Equity & Workforce Strategy Integration

Demonstrated ability to integrate workforce development, equity, and small business participation considerations into labor policy strategy, implementation, and performance monitoring.

Growth Mindset

Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

Service-Oriented

Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

Washington Labor Compliance Experience

Demonstrated experience working with Washington State labor compliance programs or regulatory agencies, including navigating state-specific labor standards and enforcement environments.
Demonstrated experience coordinating with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and/or the U.S. Department of Labor, engaging on compliance matters, policy interpretation, or program implementation.

Public Sector Governance Knowledge

Demonstrated experience operating within Washington state government or similarly complex public-sector organizations, including navigating public accountability, statutory constraints, and political considerations.
Demonstrated understanding of legislative processes, intergovernmental coordination, and executive-level accountability structures, including the ability to align policy recommendations with governance frameworks.

Transportation & Capital Program Knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge of transportation systems, capital project delivery, and infrastructure program management, particularly within publicly funded environments.
Demonstrated experience supporting or leading policy development within high-dollar, multi-year capital programs, balancing delivery timelines, fiscal stewardship, and compliance requirements.

Advanced Legal & Case Law Application

Demonstrated ability to analyze and apply relevant case law to real-world labor policy, compliance, and programmatic situations, providing sound recommendations that mitigate risk.

Executive Relationship Building

Demonstrated ability to build, sustain, and leverage productive executive-level relationships across labor organizations, contractors, government agencies, and senior leadership teams to advance strategic objectives.

Important Notes

This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
Application review will begin on March 3, 2026. 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. As such, there are 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 the assigned Recruiter at Krystle.Jones@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference ‘DIRECTOR’ in the subject line.

✓ Fresh Listing

Director of External Labor Relations and Policy

Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

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