Assistant Director, Community Engagement & Outreach Division

Full Job Description

Assistant Director, Community Engagement & Outreach Division

Location: Olympia or Seattle, WA — hybrid work flexibility

At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact.

From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our work force and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work.

We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes.

We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

About the Opportunity

As Assistant Director (AD) for the Community Engagement & Outreach Division (CEOD), you will lead the agency’s enterprise-wide strategy to facilitate equitable participation and meaningful engagement with historically overburdened, vulnerable, and excluded communities across Washington.

You’ll envision, plan and steward priority initiatives that connect local communities with Commerce resources, and elevate community voice in state policy and investment decisions.

You will oversee proactive presence across six regional service areas, guide capacity-building funding programs for community-serving organizations and coalitions, and drive equity-centered program design and delivery with partners across the agency.

As a member of Commerce’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT), you’ll influence agency-wide strategy, modernize engagement practices, and strengthen authentic partnerships—with Tribes, local governments, advocacy groups, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community leaders—so that Commerce can scale more equitable investments and community supports.

These efforts will continue to contribute to livable communities throughout the state.

We’re seeking a bold, systems-thinking leader with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

We are looking for someone ready to lead through complexity, to build and maintain trusted relationships, to collaborate on supporting communities of all types, and to incorporate community priorities into agency programs and services.

Requirements

What You’ll Work On

Strategic division leadership
Set clear vision and direction for CEOD. Lead daily operations, policy implementation, and change-management efforts that foster innovation, accountability, inclusion, and belonging across teams.

Regional engagement and capacity-buildingDevelop and execute a strategic regional engagement strategy prioritizing small, rural, and diverse communities with the highest needs.

Expand technical assistance, navigation support, and capacity-building opportunities to increase equitable access to Commerce programs.

Program and policy administrationDesign and oversee community-centered initiatives, grants, and pilots; conduct needs assessments; and lead innovative programs that improve outcomes and reduce disparities.

Represent Commerce and the Director in high-priority workgroups, task forces, and legislative or interagency forums.

Cross-sector collaboration
Build durable partnerships with Tribes, local governments, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, business leaders, and other public agencies. Partner with Communications to amplify messages and opportunities that reach diverse communities.

Equity programs and community compensationAdvance special initiatives that remove systemic barriers and expand equitable access.

Coordinate activities related to community compensation in consultation with the Office of Equity. Ensure statewide community feedback informs agency strategy and operations.

Resource stewardship and workforce leadershipManage CEOD’s operating budget (approx. $10M per biennium) and recurring one-time capital funds (up to $3M).

Attract, support, and retain a diverse, high-performing team; coach managers and staff to develop leadership, management, and policy competencies.

Serve as appointing authority for CEOD, with full scope over hiring, development, accountability, and discipline.

Executive decision-making
Speak on behalf of the agency on matters within your portfolio; anticipate risks and opportunities; align investment decisions with strategic priorities; and initiate partnerships and agreements that advance community-led solutions.

Qualifications

Who Should Apply?

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone passionate about equitable community development and ready to lead at enterprise scale.

We welcome applications from professionals with a combination of ten (10) years of education or experience in community and economic development, public/business administration, public policy, or a related field.

(Qualifying postsecondary education may substitute year for year for experience.)

A minimum of five (5) years must include public policy work, and four (4) years must include management/leadership of professional teams (e.g., directing teams and budgets, overseeing workflow and projects, and evaluating the work of others).

We value unconventional paths and transferable skills. If you’ve led complex systems—even outside traditional government or community engagement roles—and see alignment, we encourage you to apply.

Don’t self-select out. Tell us how your background prepares you for this role, or reach out with questions about qualifications.

What We Need You to Bring (Competencies)

Required

• Community engagement expertise— Deep knowledge of engagement principles and practices; experience with historically excluded communities and Tribes; familiarity with Washington’s regulatory environment and RCW 70A.02.050.
• Executive leadership — Proven ability to lead teams, coach managers, drive organizational effectiveness, and model ethical, inclusive leadership.
• Organizational savvy — Skilled at navigating formal/informal structures and operating in political environments; builds strategic relationships across agencies and sectors.
• Judgment and decision-making — Strong analytical skills; able to gather input, assess risks, and make timely, strategic decisions, using consensus when possible.
• Strategic and systems thinking — Articulates long-term vision while balancing near-term outcomes; adapts to emerging opportunities.
• Change leadership — Leads organizational change; modernizes systems; manages complex transitions in public or nonprofit settings.
• Commitment to equity — Applies an anti-racist and equity lens to policy, operations, resource allocation, and decision-making; advances DEIB outcomes.
• Collaborative leadership — Builds trust across differences; works effectively with local governments, Tribes, Legislature, Governor’s Office, community organizations, and agency partners.
• Fiscal management — Develops and manages large budgets; makes strategic fiscal decisions that maximize impact and accountability.
• Quality and accountability — Sets and upholds high standards; drives toward measurable results; continuously improves.
• Communication — Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills across diverse audiences.
• Interpersonal effectiveness — Emotionally intelligent; builds respectful relationships; flexible and open to feedback.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in public/business administration, public policy, or related field.
• Effective budgeting experience with public funds; extensive experience with state/local legislative processes.
• Demonstrated expertise in community engagement, public speaking, negotiation/persuasion, issue analysis, and decision-making in fast-paced environments.

Commerce Core Executive Leadership Competencies
Strategic Leadership; Absorptive; Adaptive; Managerial Wisdom; Embrace Ambiguity; Equity Centered Leadership; Collaborative Influence; Community Accountability.

DEIB & Belonging Competencies
Knowledge & Commitment; Self Awareness & Growth; Trusting Strategic Partnerships; Inclusive Excellence & Allyship; Measuring for Success and Improvement.

How to Apply

Please include the following:

1. Letter of interest (1 page max) responding to:
   • Why you’re interested in Commerce and this leadership opportunity.
   • A time you led a complex initiative or cross-sector partnership—your approach and outcome.
   • An example of systems change or innovation that produced more equitable outcomes—what you learned.
2. Complete online application (including detailed work history).
3. At least three professional references who can speak to your leadership, collaboration, and results.

For questions about this recruitment, please contact the Recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov— please reference the job number in your message.

Additional Information

Where You’ll Work

Your duty station will be Commerce Headquarters (Olympia, WA) or the Commerce Seattle Office (Seattle, WA). Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance.

Your Schedule

This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedules. A minimum of one day per week in-office is required, with additional in-person meetings/activities as needed. Schedules depend on position needs and may change.

Additional Information

• Salary Range: The full range for this EMS Band IV position is $98,712 – $160,000. Initial salary considers internal equity and relevant knowledge, skills, and experience, and may be less than the top of the range.
• This high-level leadership position may occasionally speak or act for the Director. Working extra hours in the evenings, weekends, or holidays can occur at this level.
• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies within 60 days.
• Technical support: NEOGOV at 8555245627 (login, password, email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support:careershelp@des.wa.gov.
• Initial screening will be based solely on application completeness and materials submitted. All information may be verified; documentation may be required.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.