Program Manager-People & Culture Communications (term-limited)

Salary range is $81K to $170K with a midpoint of $118K. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market. 

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• 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.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a term-limited position of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Do you believe that clarity is kindness and that how an organization communicates is just as important as what it says? As the Program Manager, People & Culture Communications, you will bring our team's strategy to life through high-quality content, trusted partnerships, and a consistent, human-centered approach.

Reporting to the head of our People & Culture Communications team, this role serves as the program lead for day-to-day execution of the Communications workstream, ensuring that employees across the agency feel informed, connected, and supported. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful collaborator and self-directed program manager who can work from an established vision and bring sound judgment to how the work gets done. Above all, we're looking for a writer who makes complex things feel simple and who genuinely cares about the experience of the people receiving the message.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Serves as program lead for day-to-day execution of the Communications workstream, supporting the implementation of communications strategies to advance People & Culture programs, including employee engagement, DEI, leadership development, benefits, and change management.
• Manages the full scope of departmental communications work products, including communications plans, HUB articles, emails, newsletters, ST.org content, signage, and promotional and informational materials.
• Contributes to internal campaign branding and creative concepts (e.g., engagement surveys, wellness programs, culture initiatives), in alignment with established direction.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships across People & Culture divisions to proactively surface communication needs. 
• Supports communications around sensitive and complex topics (e.g., organizational change, policy updates), coordinating with key partners to ensure alignment and clarity.
• Designs visual assets to support internal communications and People programs visibility, including email graphics, intranet page imagery, presentation slides, reports, and departmental materials, ensuring consistency with brand and accessibility standards.
• Supports the development and maintenance of templates, tone guidelines, and message frameworks for HR teams, maintaining a library of branded assets and ensuring content accessibility standards are met.
• Drafts and prepares talking points, presentation decks, and toolkits that support executive and people leader communications, in alignment with established messaging.
• Uses data and employee feedback to improve communication clarity and impact.
• Supports planning, promotion, and coordination of internal events and initiatives that help build trust, connection, and visibility across the agency.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelors degree in Communications, Public Relations, Human Resources, or a related field. Five years of professional experience in internal communications, employee communications, or a related field, preferably supporting HR or People teams; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a demonstrated ability to make complex information feel clear and human.
• Proven ability to lead a body of work, managing priorities, tracking deliverables, and maintaining quality across multiple concurrent efforts.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with experience building trust across teams and functions.
• Solid understanding of HR functions, employee engagement principles, and internal communications best practices.
• Experience with intranet platforms, email marketing tools, and collaboration technologies (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, UKG, etc.).

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Deep commitment to inclusive, people-centered communications.
• Comfort navigating sensitive topics with discretion and compassion.
• Experience communicating on behalf of an organization in ways that build genuine connection and employee trust.
• Ability to navigate competing priorities with care and sound judgment.
• Curiosity, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems before they become issues.
• Experience creating visually engaging content using tools like PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, or Canva.
• Experience supporting planning and logistics for internal events or employee engagement initiatives.
• Experience working in a large, distributed, or matrixed organization.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• This role is responsible for supporting, and setting up for internal events as well as graphic design; May be subject to seeing, and carrying and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.