East King County Relations Manager

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 support this work, we are seeking a collaborative, strategic, and knowledgeable East King County Relations Manager.

This role serves as the Executive’s primary point of contact for communities in cities such as Bellevue, Carnation, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Medina, Newcastle, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Skykomish, Snoqualmie Valley, and Woodinville. These areas include rapidly growing cities, diverse and evolving communities, and unique rural-urban interface challenges. The Manager will build strong relationships to elevate community needs, and ensure that County services are responsive, accessible, and aligned with local priorities.  

Reporting to the Director of Community Service and Response, this position is on the frontlines – engaging with residents, organizations, local leaders, and partners; responding quickly to emerging needs; and helping deliver clear, reliable, and equitable connections between the community and King County government. 

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Executive’s Office representative to East King County, building strong, trusting, and sustained relationships with community-based organizations, local governments, cultural organizations, small businesses, local chambers, advocacy groups, and residents. 
• Develop a deep and ongoing understanding of community priorities – especially around public safety, transportation, behavioral health, housing, immigrant and refugee services, economic opportunity, and youth engagement. 
• Identify emerging issues and help coordinate rapid, effective responses in partnership with County departments and the Community Service and Response team.
• Attend community meetings, listening sessions, neighborhood convenings, and local government briefings to strengthen relationships and ensure the Executive’s Office remains accessible.
• Support the implementation of resident first and rapid response engagement strategies.
• Provide timely updates to the Director and Executive leadership team on trends, issues, opportunities, and community feedback from specific region represented.
• Coordinate with regional partners, including cities, schools, human service providers, and coalitions, to support shared goals and ensure residents can navigate County services effectively.

• 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 an East King County Relations Manager who can collaborate across diverse organizations and communicate King County’s values and priorities effectively. The ideal candidate will have:

• Extensive experience (5 years) of external relations in King County communities OR the equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Demonstrate strong relationship-building, listening, and communications across diverse communities. 
• Bring experience in community relations, external affairs, public engagement, or similar work.
• Understand the unique dynamics and assets of East King County and have the ability to navigate complex, rapidly changing environments.
• Be comfortable representing the Executive’s Office, and sometimes the Executive, in public settings and building trust with community leaders and partners.
• Be highly responsive, organized, and able to distill information quickly for leadership decision-making.

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to shape how King County delivers for its residents. The East King County Relations Manager will help bring the King County Delivers vision to life—turning bold ideas into accountable, transparent, and effective government action through Boots on the Ground.

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 : $111,259 - $155,064