Legal Affairs Manager (Manager 3)

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

We’re looking for a thoughtful, collaborative leader to guide our Legal Affairs team and help shape how SDOT engages with the law in service of Seattle’s communities. In this role, you’ll work across the entire organization and partner closely with colleagues in other City departments—including the Seattle City Attorney’s Office—to build strong, trusted relationships that support sound decision-making.

As the Legal Affairs Manager (Manager 3), you will design, implement, and continuously improve internal processes and programs that help our teams navigate complex legal and risk issues with clarity and confidence. You’ll play a key role in helping staff across the department understand and engage with these programs, making legal concepts approachable and actionable.

You’ll also bring people together. This position regularly assembles and participates in cross-departmental, matrixed teams, offering opportunities to collaborate with talented professionals across City government. We’re seeking someone who enjoys guiding a maturing program, identifying opportunities to evolve our work, and inspiring others along the way.

In this role, you’ll serve as a trusted leader and advisor to SDOT executives and staff, offering grounded, practical counsel on issues where law, public policy, and transportation meet. You’ll be SDOT’s internal subject matter expert on relevant case law, codes, ordinances, and regulations. You also regularly consult with the City Attorney’s Office to confirm key legal advice and analysis as needed—helping ensure our decisions are both legally sound and aligned with the values we uphold as a public agency.

Team Leadership

• Manage a team of seven (7) subject matter experts across three key legal areas:

– Tort law and civil procedure (including discovery)
– Public disclosure
– Real property transactions and management

• Coordinate and analyze SDOT’s public disclosure, records preservation, and claims and litigation team bodies of work.
• Provide guidance and legal insight in administrative, municipal, data privacy, constitutional, contract, and federal grant law.

Claims and Litigation

• Oversee the department’s claims and litigation portfolio, with a primary focus on tort matters.
• Communicate and guide best practices for SDOT’s risk management policy and loss prevention efforts.
• Support and regularly consult with the City Attorney’s Office, which litigates cases for SDOT.
• Advise executive leadership on litigation strategies and settlement considerations.
• Serve as the department’s client representative to the City Attorney’s Office and outside counsel during mediation and arbitration.

Public Disclosure

• Lead the department’s Public Disclosure and Records Retention Program in alignment with City policies and the Washington State Public Records Act.

Real Estate and Property Management

• Manage SDOT’s jurisdictional properties that are not used for right-of-way purposes.
• Research original acquisition funding sources and evaluate implications for surplus sale or property acquisition.
• Develop, communicate, and implement strategies for disposing of excess properties in ways that support Citywide goals.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:

• Juris Doctor degree and current Washington State Bar admission or the ability to be admitted within three (3) months of hiring.

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney, including experience managing a team of support staff.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.
 
Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience:

• Strong public speaking and presenting experience; able to digest and report complex legal concepts to a nonlegal audience in simple business-focused language to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Three (3) years of project management experience for large, complex, business process improvement projects.
• Three (3) years of experience in strategic planning, policy analysis, and development for senior management and/or elected officials’ staff.
• Three (3) years of experience negotiating complex agreements with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Knowledge of land use and zoning regulations.
• Experience with the surplus sale, management, or acquisition of real property on behalf of federal, state, or local governmental or quasi-governmental agencies.
• Experience with right-of-way ownership and title.
• Ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Other Requirements:
Work Environment:

• Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 3 days of work is completed in a City office, and up to 2 days of work is completed remotely in a regular 40-hour work week.
• May require current licensure by the Washington State Bar Association, or the ability to become licensed with 6 months of hire.
• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including professional work and education verifications.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The City’s full salary range for this position is $61.90 - $92.84 hourly.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ryan Jones at [email protected]. 

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.