Director of Programs

Director of Programs

Salary

$139,992.00 - $150,000.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Exempt

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-07691

Department

Office of the Governor

Division

Office of Equity

Opening Date

09/28/2026

Closing Date

10/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Note: This recruitment is open until 10/12/2026. Applications will be reviewed daily. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible.

Join Us!

This position is exempt from civil service rules. Exempt recruitments may close at any time without prior notice. It is in your best interest to apply as soon as possible. For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.

As a Director of Programs for the Office of Equity, you will drive policy and systems change to help Washingtonians thrive by working with communities and partners across agencies and sectors to build efficient, effective systems that move Washington for All forward. You'll lead the team that brings this mission to life by overseeing high-impact, complex programs and guiding a talented group to deliver projects that are timely, strategic, and aligned with statutory requirements and core Equity priorities. This is an exciting opportunity to shape transformative change statewide!

The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $139,992-$150,000 annually.

This is a remote position with schedule flexibility that requires travel in Washington State for meetings, events, and on-site work. The frequency of on-site work varies based on business and operational needs. The Governor's Office may choose, but is not required, to employ individuals who reside outside of Washington on a case-by-case basis.

Who We Are

The Office of Equity advances policy and systems change (RCW 43.06D.040) to promote a Washington for all. We believe Washingtonians are stronger together and that Washington can be a state where everyone has access to the opportunities, power, and resources (RCW 43.06D.020) they need to thrive. We believe a government of, by, and for the people, where government does its work with people instead of to them, is possible. We exist to advance a government that meets the unique needs of every community in Washington state by collaborating across agencies, branches, and sectors to create efficient and effective systems that advance a Washington for All.

Our Vision

Everyone in Washington State has full access to the opportunities, power, and resources they need to flourish and achieve their full potential.

Our Mission

To promote equitable access to opportunities, power, and resources across state government that reduce disparities and improve outcomes statewide.

Our Values

• Access: Barrier-free environments so all can participate.
• Belonging: Acceptance and support from all, for all.
• Dignity: Honor for the sacred nature of every person.
• Equity: Access to opportunities, power, and resources.
• Justice: Treating people fairly, making things right.
• Love: Selfless and giving, seeking to serve and give to others.
• Ubuntu: I am because we are. We are interconnected.

Duties (Primary Functions)

Design and implement internal program and projects systems and workflows that navigate the intersections of policy, community, legislative, and tribal collaboration and engagement, data, communications, accessibility, and program delivery.

• Develop, implement, evaluate, and improve program, project structure, and process for consistent program and project management that can be tailored to meet specific needs.
• Manage ambiguity, competing deadlines, and multi-partner governance processes, while articulating the long-term vision for EQUITY's external impact.

Lead a team of program managers to effectively and successfully manage programs and projects and ensure organizational success.

• Lead, direct, and manage program managers in meeting mandates, building long-term strategies that advance project and program metrics, goals, and outcomes through data-driven performance measurement, and ensuring success in achieving the long-term vision and strategic implementation for the program or project.

Establish and maintain effective relationships with community members and organizations and state employees and leaders to ensure effective collaboration and organizational and program success.

• Build effective relationships with agency partners to address concerns, eliminate bureaucratic barriers and siloes, and ensure program success.
• Build and grow relationships with community leaders and partners to ensure programs are built with community voice and priorities.
• In collaboration with the EQUITY Tribal Director, establish genuine relationships with Tribal governments to ensure adherence to government-to-government mandates and agreements.
• In collaboration with the EQUITY legislative team, establish strong relationships with the Washington Legislature to ensure programs meet legislative intent and requirements and ensure organizational success.

Engage as a member of the Equity Leadership Team, providing expert consultation, analysis, partnership, and advocacy regarding organizational and program effectiveness and success, risk management, collaboration, and office alignment.

• Coordinate with the Leadership Team to collaborate, strategize, and set direction for the office.
• Develop strategic work plans and manage workload demands, capacity, and distribution.
• Facilitate collaboration and cohesion within and across teams.

Qualifications

All combinations of experience and higher education relevant to the position, including lived experience, volunteer (paid or unpaid) experience, or professional experience that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work, will be considered.

Fundamental (Required)

You must have the lived, volunteer, or professional experience and/or education that demonstrates your ability to:

• Embed a strategic vision and lead transformational change with significant internal and external coordination, collaboration, and impacts.
• Navigate Washington state budget, contracting, legislative, and interagency processes.
• Lead and supervise others by providing direction and mentoring.
• Manage multiple, complex competing projects or programs simultaneously, with a track record of on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Design or administer programs serving historically marginalized communities with a demonstrated commitment to equity principles.
• Facilitate multiparty governance bodies (ex., advisory boards, work groups, or interagency committees) with competing interests or priorities.
• Translate complex policy and program information into plain language for diverse audiences.
• Build or operate within a formal project management system.
• Take action to learn and grow.
• Take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition, to be a leader on the Equity Team, you must demonstrate your ability to:

• Educate others on the underlying context of systemic oppression (past and present) and respond to resistance in a clear and direct manner.
• Lead change to remove barriers in policies, processes, and practices with unwavering principles and without regard for personal comfort.
• Advocate for the lived experiences, perspectives, and needs of others to improve government services and their impact on people and communities.
• Model cultural competence, humility, and responsiveness and cultivate a culture of belonging where each person feels their authentic self is accepted, respected, and reflected.

Added Value (Preferred)

Additional lived, volunteer or professional experience and/or education that demonstrates your ability to:

• Comfortably manage ambiguity, shifting priorities, and competing partner demands without losing sight of long-term goals.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive community or interagency matters.
• Work effectively across agencies on politically sensitive, high-visibility issues.

If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Interested? Let us hear from you!

To apply, click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application (you can save it and return to it if needed). Please include the following:

1. Attach a current resume that describes how your lived, volunteer, or professional experience and/or education make you competent and prepared for this job.

2. Attach a letter of interest that demonstrates your leadership competency in tough situations while maintaining your commitment to equity, justice, and impact.

3. Include three professional references, including your current or recent supervisor, with current telephone numbers and email addresses in your application.

To report accessibility barriers with the online application system and get assistance with submitting your online application, contact the Department of Enterprise Services' job seeker support at 360.664.1960 (877.664.1960) or careershelp@des.wa.gov. You are also encouraged to view recommendations for assistive technology on the Accessibility Information Page at careers.wa.gov.

All applicants will be notified of their status in our process. The Office of Equity will contact the selected individuals directly to engage in our hiring process. For questions about this recruitment or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email Jon Woodbury at talentacquisition@ofm.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

The Office of Equity is an equal opportunity employer. We work to create a workplace environment that honors and respects the sacred nature of each individual's personhood. Racial and ethnic members of the global majority, women, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and Vietnam-era veterans or veterans who are disabled are encouraged to apply. If you need accommodations, assistance with the application process, or would like to receive this job announcement in an alternative format, please call 360-725-0158 or dial 711 to reach the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf system.

This position is exempt from civil service rules. For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.

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. Thats 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

01

(OFM) The application process requires that you attach a cover letter detailing how you meet the qualifications of this position and a resume. Please check your attachments and click below to indicate you have attached the required documentation.

• Yes, I have attached a cover letter and a resume.
• No, I have not attached a cover letter and a resume.

02

(150 words or less, not AI Generated) What is the biggest problem with state government and what solution could you implement in this position to address it?

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov