Director of Contracts and Procurement (WMS 3) DOH8852

Full Job Description

This home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents and those residing on the ID/WA and OR/WA borders.

Director of Contracts and Procurement

Financial Services – Contracts and Procurement

Permanent · Full-time

The Opportunity

The Contract and Procurement Office Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for approximately $445 million annually in goods and services, including contracts, grants, interlocal agreements, and Tribal agreements.

This executive role ensures contracting and procurement practices align with agency goals, comply with state and federal requirements, and promote transparency, accountability, and operational excellence.

Serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, this position shapes agency-wide policy, strengthens internal partnerships, and drives best business practices across all programs.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as key advisor to Executive Leadership, the Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretaries, and agency leaders on all contract and procurement matters.
• Plan, develop, and implement agency-wide policies, procedures, and processes governing contract and procurement management.
• Ensure full compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and reporting requirements, including transparency reporting of contractual activity and equity in public contracting.
• Represent the agency on interagency committees and workgroups influencing statewide procurement policy.

Operational Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee administration of contracts, grants, interlocal, and Tribal agreements totaling approximately $445 million annually.
• Develop, apply, and update procurement policies and practices to reflect statutory or regulatory changes.
• Incorporate industry best practices to strengthen efficiency, accountability, and risk management.
• Coordinate with fiscal and contract managers across major programs to ensure effective and compliant purchasing activities.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Lead and develop a team of professional contracts and procurement specialists.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to program leadership and staff across the agency.
• Strengthen organizational capability through training, performance management, and professional development initiatives.
• Promote effective resource utilization and continuous improvement within the Contracts and Procurement Office.

Why You’ll Love This Role

This is an opportunity to influence agency-wide strategy and steward significant public resources in support of mission-driven work.

You will collaborate closely with executive leaders and program partners, shape statewide procurement practices, and build a high-performing team committed to transparency and excellence.

The role offers meaningful impact, executive-level visibility, and the chance to modernize and strengthen procurement systems that serve communities across the state.

Required Qualifications

There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed.

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

Option 1 – Experience-Based Pathway

Eight (8) or more years of experience in public sector contracting and procurement. Relevant professional certification (e.g., CPPB, CPPO, CPCM) may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience.

Experience must include the following:

• Three (3) years in a senior leadership or management capacity.
• Direct oversight of complex, high-dollar, and high-risk procurements.
• Demonstrated application and interpretation of state and federal statutes, regulations, and policies governing public procurement and contracting.
• Experience with diverse contract types including professional services, purchased and client services, IT and technology procurements, data sharing agreements, inter-local agreements, grants and sub-grants, capital equipment, supplies, and printed materials.
• Responsibility for developing procurement strategies, policies, contract terms and agreements, and internal controls to ensure compliance, transparency, and fiscal accountability.
• Experience leading contract negotiations, dispute resolution, and vendor performance management activities.

Option 2 – Education and Experience Pathway

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Finance, Law, or a closely related field; AND Four (4) or more years of experience in public sector contracting and procurement.

Relevant professional certification (e.g., CPPB, CPPO, CPCM) may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience.

Experience must include the following:

• Three (3) years in a senior leadership or management capacity.
• Direct oversight of complex, high-dollar, and high-risk procurements.
• Demonstrated application and interpretation of state and federal statutes, regulations, and policies governing public procurement and contracting.
• Experience with diverse contract types including professional services, purchased and client services, IT and technology procurements, data sharing agreements, inter-local agreements, grants and sub-grants, capital equipment, supplies, and printed materials.
• Responsibility for developing procurement strategies, policies, contract terms and agreements, and internal controls to ensure compliance, transparency, and fiscal accountability.
• Experience leading contract negotiations, dispute resolution, and vendor performance management activities.

Preferred Qualifications

While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.

Employee Benefits

We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance.

You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you’re living today.

Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage.

Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health.

About the Washington State Department of Health

We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health.

Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.

At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health.

Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

Schedule (i.e., hours and days):

Travel Requirements:

Tools and Equipment:

Customer Relations:

Other:

This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities.

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.

Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable).

List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).

DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.

Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application.

Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.

DOH is an equal-opportunity employer.

We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.

Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Andrea Thieme at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH8852.

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

Additional Information

This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.

Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.