Project Executive/Director

Cascade Water Alliance (Cascade) is seeking a highly qualified and results-driven Project Executive to lead the largest capital project in Cascade’s history. This position has full responsibility for the delivery of the Tacoma-Cascade Pipeline (TCP) project, a regional transmission pipeline and associated facilities. At an estimated cost of $1.0 billion, the TCP project will supply Cascade’s 380,000 residential and 20,000 business customers with high quality drinking water from Tacoma, Washington.

The ideal candidate will be able to leverage their project delivery expertise and experience to effectively resolve the challenges of delivering a regional water infrastructure project that crosses multiple jurisdictions in an urban environment. The TCP project’s success is critical to continuing Cascade’s commitment to providing clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to its community. The Project Executive not only plays a crucial role in achieving this goal but also in improving regional reliability and resiliency for future generations as Cascade plans for climate change and population growth.

The Project Executive reports directly to Cascade’s Chief Executive Officer and is accountable for leading the TCP project, consistent with organizational policies, industry-standard project management practices, and project financial plans. This position oversees a talented and experienced team that represents planning, engineering, construction, and operations. The Project Executive is responsible for ensuring that the TCP project is effectively managed, delivered, and represents the best value for Cascade’s members and their customers. Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering the TCP project to meet the requirements of project scope, schedule, budget, and quality at all project phases, and other key performance metrics.
• Providing oversight and directing the activities of the TCP team, consultants, and contractors, and continuously monitoring the workflow, budget, schedule, and quality.
• Applying industry-standard project management practices in project planning, design, construction, start-up, and commissioning.
• Overseeing change management processes and leading negotiations to ensure the project is adequately compensated for time, cost, and quality increases.
• Investigating project delivery-related performance issues, communicating early warning signs of potential problems, and initiating corrective actions.
• Fostering a strong “One Team” culture that reflects exceptional teamwork, promotes a safe and inclusive environment, and invites engagement, innovation, productivity, and open communication.
• Establishing strong working partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including Cascade staff, member agency staff, elected officials, tribal governments, landowners, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Serving as the TCP project point of contact and articulating a clear and consistent vision of the project’s goals with stakeholders.
• Presenting critical issues and recommendations to Cascade’s CEO, member agency staff, and Cascade’s Board of Directors.

Education, Licenses, and Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, project management, construction management, architecture or related field is required. Professional Engineer license is preferred.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum fifteen (15) years of recent experience at the project executive or manager level in the management of large civil construction projects is required. Experience in managing large drinking water transmission projects is preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience directly supervising technical staff is required.
• Success in managing a project or portfolio of projects valued at least $100 million from conceptual planning or pre-design through construction, start-up, and commissioning.
• Comprehensive knowledge of industry-standard project management methods and techniques, budget development and monitoring, public agency procurement, and contract negotiations and administration.
• Experience in managing multi-disciplinary technical consultant teams.
• Proven leadership skills in promoting effective working relationships within a project team and with stakeholders, striving for consensus among competing interests, and fostering a collaborative approach to problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to approach capital projects both strategically and tactically.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to approach challenges as opportunities and think creatively about solutions.

Education/Experience Equivalency: A combination of appropriate education, licenses, and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements.

This is a full-time position with an annual salary range of $176,000 to $267,000.

Cascade offers an industry leading package of benefits to employees and their dependents including paid time-off, insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, disability), retirement plans (401a, 457), and tax advantaged saving options (FSA, HRA Veba, PPO, DCAP). Cascade contributes 7% and employees contribute 4% to their 401a retirement plan. Additionally, as a replacement of the contribution to Social Security, employees contribute 6.2% of their annual salary and Cascade contributes 6.2% up to the Social Security limit established by the Internal Revenue Services to employees’ 401a plans.

Email your application to Chris Paulucci at cpaulucci@cascadewater.org by 5PM, November 8, 2024. Applications received by this date will be given first consideration. This position will remain open until filled.

• Resume. Include your project history, reflecting the size and scope of your project planning and/or delivery experience.
• Cover letter. Describe why you want this position and how your experience, skills, and achievements make you a good fit for this role (two-page limit).

Cascade is a municipal corporation comprised of five member cities (Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, and Tukwila) and two water and sewer districts (Sammamish Plateau Water and Skyway Water & Sewer District). Established in 1999, Cascade provides water to 380,000 people and more than 20,000 businesses.

Cascade’s small team of water utility professionals and its Board of Directors pride themselves on their collaborative and innovative approaches to tackling local and regional issues related to drinking water. Cascade’s long-term goal is to create a lasting legacy by exemplifying a model for regional cooperation and effective public resource management.