TERM LIMITED TEMPORARY (TLT) Digitization Program Manager (ITP A, Exempt)

Full Job Description

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking a Digitization Program Manager to spearhead development of SPU’s Digitalization Strategy, ensuring alignment with SPU Strategic Business Plan and its key business priorities.

In this role, you’ll drive further adoption of digital tools, streamline processes through automation, and empower employees with the skills and resources to thrive in a tech-enabled environment.

From enhancing collaboration to integrating AI-powered solutions, you’ll help shape the future of SPU’s operations and create a more agile, connected, and efficient organization.

If you’re passionate about shaping the future of work through digital tool adoption, process automation, and emerging technologies that boost efficiency, collaboration, and accessibility, we want to hear from you.

This Term Limited Temporary (TLT) opportunity is fully benefitted and is expected to last up to 35-months.

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost.

SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean.

Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), checkout the:

• SPU Website
• SPU Workplace Expectation
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Requirements

• Digitalization Leadership
  • Develop and execute SPU’s Digitalization Strategy, ensuring alignment with the City of Seattle’s strategy.
  • Partner with SPU leadership and cross-functional teams to modernize digital capabilities and enhance workforce agility.
  • Identify emerging technologies and evaluate their potential impact on SPU’s operations, efficiency, and service delivery.
  • Establish a technology assessment process to identify, evaluate, and pilot emerging technologies (automation platforms, AI tools, digital workplace solutions) based on their potential impact on SPU's operations, efficiency, and employee experience.
• Digitalization Governance and Adoption
  • Design and oversee the SPU Digitalization Program governance framework, establishing clear processes for technology evaluation, approval, implementation, and ongoing management of digitalization tools.
  • Create a business case methodology and decision framework to prioritize digitalization investments based on ROI, risk, and strategic alignment.
  • Ensure compliance with City of Seattle privacy policies, AI governance frameworks, and security standards.
  • Establish best practices for digitalization; helping SPU staff maximize the value of automation tools in their daily workflows.
• Digital Employee Experience and Digital Literacy
  • Develop and roll out a digital literacy strategy that includes orientation and training for all employees, working with HR, IT, and others.
  • Oversee creation of resources and toolkits to support staff adoption of Microsoft 365 tools and promote best practices.
  • Help close the digital divide across roles by identifying access gaps and supporting inclusive practices.
  • Facilitate gathering employee feedback and identify pain points in digital workflows, then partner to improve them. Lead internal engagement efforts to raise awareness of the Digital Workplace Governance Program and the support it offers.

Automation and Process and Technology InnovationLead the integration and governance of Gen AI technologies (ChatGPT, Microsoft 365 Copilot, etc.) within SPU’s operational framework.

Ensure compliance and consistency with City of Seattle privacy policies, AI governance frameworks, and security standards.

• Support branches in streamlining operations, reducing inefficiencies, and enhancing customer experience through automation.
• Develop use case libraries and success metrics for AI tool deployment across SPU departments, identifying high-value applications and measuring business impact.
• Establish a process innovation framework that enables continuous improvement through technology, including mechanisms for staff to propose automation ideas and rapid prototyping capabilities for high-potential use cases.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategic Planning

• Partner with cross-functional teams, including product design, project management, and business leaders, to ensure digitalization initiatives align with organizational needs and strategic goals.
• Deploy organizational change management principles and partner with Seattle IT and SPU HR to support employee training and skill development.
• Establish measures of success for the component areas in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Partner with Citywide Accessibility Initiative teams to ensure SPU’s public-facing applications and web content complies with Executive Order 2025-03 by April 2026.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in digital transformation, automation, adoption of emerging technologies (AI/ML applications), program development, strategic planning as well as experience successfully leading large, complex projects in business/IT consulting/management roles.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Technology Management, Business Administration, or a related field.*If no degree two (2) additional years of qualifying experience is required

Desired Qualifications:

• Proven experience in IT project management and program development
• Experience with digital platforms and collaboration tools
• Change management skills to guide staff through the cultural and operational shifts that accompany digitalization
• Strong understanding of AI and machine learning concepts, tools, and technologies
• Proven track of successfully managing diverse stakeholder groups, cross-functional teams and ability to effectively engage audiences and champion change

Additional Information

In addition to fully completing the online application, we require candidates to attach a resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should address how your knowledge, skills and experience(s) relate to this position.

The full salary range for this position is $62.26 per hour - $93.41 per hour

Workplace Environment (*Telework Expectation):
This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. City employees will have the option to work remotely two days a week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

Who may apply: All qualified candidates may apply.

The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans

If you have any questions, please contact Heather Baldwin-Stewart at Heather.BaldwinStewart@seattle.gov.