Director of Community Service and Response

King County is launching an ambitious effort to ensure that government delivers high-quality, efficient and equitable services to every resident through the King County Delivers plan. To lead this work, we are seeking a strategic, collaborative and knowledgeable Director of Community Service and Response.

The Director leads the Executive’s community service and response strategy, oversees countywide community engagement efforts, and strengthens partnerships with community partners, organizations, and stakeholders to ensure county programs and services reflect the needs and priorities of the people we represent. This role will ensure that the Executive’s office remains accessible, responsive and centers the work around the people of King County. 

The Director will oversee a team who is on the frontline in engaging with the community with boots on the ground – listening, responding, and mobilizing quickly to address urgent needs while building lasting relationships and trust The team will include regional managers, youth initiatives coordinator, volunteer coordinator, rapid response coordinators and community navigators. Working with the Executive, Chief of Staff, and the Senior Leadership Team, the Director ensures the County’s priorities are clearly communicated, community needs are elevated, and trusted relationships are built and maintained across all communities. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Executive’s community services and response relations, ensuring broad and intentional engagement with communities across King County. 
• Manage and support a multidisciplinary team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive community service and response plan that aligns community needs with the Executive’s policy, cabinet agency work, and operational priorities. 
• Build and strengthen relationships with organizations that span political, government, business and community.
• Create a plan to integrate community service and response strategies through the County enterprise to establish Boots on the Ground throughout County government.
• Represent the Executive in high-level meetings, community events, forums and meetings.
• Design and oversee innovative approaches to community service and response. 

Expectations 

• A focus on being out in the county to connect and build relationships with those we serve and those with whom we partner.
• In the office a minimum of 3 days a week. Meetings may not have a call-in option for required in-person days, and the expectation is to be in the office.
• Be on time, respectful of others’ time, and responsive when needed.
• Bring an urgency to the work. We will start fast. The work will be intense, challenging, and incredibly rewarding.
• Meetings will have written expectations, including an agenda with the goals and outcomes. Owners and next steps will be clear.
• Processes and work will continuously improve.

Values

• Serve with integrity.
• Show initiative and work hard.
• Prioritize outcomes over optics.
• Center those most impacted and put “boots on the ground.”
• Resolve challenges with a “yes, and” mindset.
• Work as one, adaptable, mission-driven team. 

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a Director of Community Service and Response who can collaborate across diverse organizations and communicate King County’s values and priorities effectively. The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant experience (10 years) of external and community relations in King County communities OR the equivalent combination of training and experience.
• At least 5 years of senior leadership experience overseeing teams of people. 
• Demonstrate a deep and nuanced understanding of community relations and public engagement across diverse environments. 
• Model a highly collaborative and relational work style with a focus on building and maintaining positive working relationships.
• Demonstrated success in external relations.
• Successfully navigate complex political, government, business and community environments.
• Strong ability to gather, synthesize, and communicate information to support sound decision making.

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to shape how King County delivers for its residents. The Director of Community Service and Response will lead the Boots on the Ground strategy on behalf of the Executive.

The King County Executive Office serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and frugal stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve.

We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive executive-level salary, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and leave benefits
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities

Application Process

To apply, please submit your résumé, a brief cover letter, and a statement of interest describing how your experience aligns with the King County Delivers vision of transparent, equitable, and accountable government.

Salary : $174,598 - $221,313