Executive Director

Executive Director

Thurston Regional Planning Council

Olympia, Washington

Salary: $155,000 - $170,000 DOQ

Thurston County is located in the heart of Western Washington’s South Puget Sound region, between the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. With a population nearing 310,000, the county offers natural beauty, abundant recreational opportunities, and a balanced lifestyle. Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is a Metropolitan Planning Organization engaged with federal transportation funding based in Olympia. Olympia serves as the Thurston County seat, the capital of Washington State, and the region’s economic and cultural center.

Operating on a 2025 budget of $6.5 million with a staff of 20, TRPC conducts regional planning and studies on topics such as transportation, growth management, and environmental quality, delivering tools and analysis to local jurisdictions and decision-makers. TRPC is funded through member assessments, core transportation federal and state funding, and grant funding. TRPC is governed by a Council composed of elected and appointed officials representing 23 members, including cities, towns, and special purpose districts across the region. TRPC supports comprehensive efforts in transportation, land use, environmental planning, and economic development. TRPC maintains a central role in managing regional information resources, including maps, data, modeling, and community engagement forums.

Under the direction of TRPC’s governing board (“Council”), the Executive Director serves as the agency’s chief executive officer, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and policy guidance. The Executive Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing work programs in transportation, land use, and environmental planning. This includes developing and managing the agency’s budget, overseeing contracts and grants, and supervising internal operations such as human resources, information technology, and intergovernmental coordination. The Executive Director also fosters regional collaboration, supports policy development, and leads the implementation of both short- and long-range strategic plans. This role involves directing day-to-day operations, managing financial and legal compliance, and overseeing staff recruitment, development, and performance through the Management Team. The Executive Director also represents TRPC to external stakeholders and builds partnerships with public and private organizations.

A bachelor’s degree in urban/regional planning, public or business administration, government, transportation management, environmental studies, political science or a related field. An advanced degree in a related field, and executive management training is preferred. Eight years of increasingly responsible experience working in high-level public policy development, regional/intergovernmental relations, urban and regional planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, or related fields, including demonstrated history of grant preparation and oversight, and leveraging new resources. Four years of successful experience managing and leading high-performing professionals. Any demonstrated combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Benefits include: TRPC supports a flexible work schedule and telecommuting, however, this is not a fully remote position. Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Deferred Compensation Plan. Employer-paid health insurance for individuals and generous coverage for dependents. 11 paid holidays, including 1 floating holiday, and accrued paid time off. Cost of Living Adjustments. Employee Assistance Program. (See complete position profile for more detailed benefit information.)

For a complete position profile, full job description and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on "Open Recruitments". For questions, call 206-368-0050. The Thurston Regional Planning Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by September 14, 2025. (First review, open until filled.)

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• Prothman Company

• (206) 368-0050