What are the responsibilities and job description for the Compliance and Contracts Deputy Director (WMS 3) position at State of Washington?
Compliance and Contracts Deputy Director (WMS 3)
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.
The agency is divided into three branches: the Chief Operations Office, the Chief of Staff’s Office, and the Deputy Director’s Office. Each of these offices consists of divisions led by an Assistant Director; divisions consist of units led by Managing Directors.
This position reports to the Chief Compliance and Contracts Officer within the Compliance and Contracting Division. This division is organized alongside the Human Resources Division and the Financial Services Division, collectively constituting the Chief Operating Office.
The mission of Commerce is to strengthen communities. The mission of the Compliance and Contracting Division (CCD) is to strengthen Commerce. CCD provides centralized guidance, technical assistance, risk assessment, and other services within our book of business to more than 800 agency employees. Consisting of the Central Contracts Unit, Internal Controls Unit, Risk and Resiliency Unit, and Office Services Unit, CCD is responsible for agency-wide compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and promoting a culture of compliance.
The Deputy Assistant Director of Compliance and Contracting Division is responsible for providing executive leadership and internal coordination, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the division, developing division and agency policies and procedures, supervising Managing Directors, and managing various projects and committees. This critical position ensures the division operates efficiently and effectively, aligning with the organization's mission and goals.
This position serves as a member of the division and/or agency leadership and management teams. This position fills in for the Assistant Director in their absence.This position provides critical oversight of all policy work for the division. This position provides comprehensive
oversight of state audits and other engagements within Commerce in partnership with the unit under review.
This position will provide oversight of the agency’s audit response, addressing findings internally, resolving
issues with regulators, etc., and ensure the integrity and consistency of services of the division as well as the
integrity and consistency of personnel management within the division.
Executive Leadership Support: The Deputy Assistant Director consults with executive leadership to support
specific programs, initiatives, and the mission of the agency. The position serves as a change agent and
champion by assessing and anticipating agency and program needs and creating and integrating the solutions
necessary to effectively meet those needs.
Division Leadership: This position operationalizes executive leadership’s vision and strategic direction to
ensure Commerce’s mission is accomplished. The Deputy Assistant Director is the second most senior position
in CCD and provides oversight and direction to the entire division.
Central Contract Management: This position supports staff in the Central Contracts Office in accomplishing
responsibilities for central contract management and oversight of contracting activities across the agency With
nearly 8,000 active contracts, contract management is a significant function of the Department of Commerce.
Internal Controls Management: This position supports staff in the Internal Controls Office in creating and
implementing effective internal controls across the agency. With over $8 billion in state and federal funding,
effective internal controls are critical to the agency’s success. Support includes an annual internal monitoring
plan, communication of internal control deficiencies, implementing education programs addressing internal
controls, internal control review analysis and evaluations to actively monitor for federal regulation changes and
provide agency-wide communication and training on federal and state regulation compliance and changes.
This includes acting as the liaison between external auditors and internal programs.
Office Services Management: This position supports staff in Office Services in creating and implementing
policies and procedures related to purchasing, records, facilities and leases. With approximately 800
employees, ensuring proper and efficient provisioning is critical and has the potential to stop work if not done.
Risk and Resiliency Management: This position supports staff in Risk and Resiliency in monitoring, managing,
and assessing all manner of risk to the agency. This includes maintenance of the Continuity of Operations Plan
(COOP) and well as ensuring compliance with emergency management preparation requirements, liaising with
the Washington Military Department, and responding to emergent circumstances impacting the agency and/or
employees.
Staff Supervision: This position directly supervises the 3 unit Managing Directors and the Risk and Emergency
Safety Manager. This position may be tasked with managing additional division staff in the absence of a unit
MD or as assigned by the Chief Compliance and Contracting Officer.Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:
Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:
Experience must include the following:
Five (5) of the nine (9) years of professional experience must include working in government programs,
grant administration/accounting, and/or managing state programs or contractual agreements.
Two (2) of the nine (9) years of experience must include all the following:
• Supervising first-line supervisors, including hiring, training and development, assigning work,
evaluating performance, and taking corrective action.
• Planning, leading, and overseeing the internal operations of a multi-team business unit.
• Managing complex budgets.
Required position competencies:
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain self-awareness with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Strategic leadership and planning skills.
• Ability to effectively implement executive and legislative policies and make internal policy
decisions with large-scale implications.
• Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office suite of products including OneDrive, Teams,
SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Post-secondary education involving major study in business or public administration, political science, or a
closely related field. Education will be counted on a year for year basis.
Examples of how to qualify:
• 9 years of experience
• 8 years of experience and 1 year of education
• 7 years of experience and 2 years of education
• 6 years of experience and 3 years of education
• 5 years of experience and 4 years of education
• 4 years of experience and 5 years of education
• 3 years of experience and 6 years of education
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
• Juris doctor from an ABA accredited law school
• Deep understanding of contract law principles
• Project management certification
• LEAN certification
To be considered for this position the following are needed:
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.
Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.
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.
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 workforce 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.The agency is divided into three branches: the Chief Operations Office, the Chief of Staff’s Office, and the Deputy Director’s Office. Each of these offices consists of divisions led by an Assistant Director; divisions consist of units led by Managing Directors.
This position reports to the Chief Compliance and Contracts Officer within the Compliance and Contracting Division. This division is organized alongside the Human Resources Division and the Financial Services Division, collectively constituting the Chief Operating Office.
The mission of Commerce is to strengthen communities. The mission of the Compliance and Contracting Division (CCD) is to strengthen Commerce. CCD provides centralized guidance, technical assistance, risk assessment, and other services within our book of business to more than 800 agency employees. Consisting of the Central Contracts Unit, Internal Controls Unit, Risk and Resiliency Unit, and Office Services Unit, CCD is responsible for agency-wide compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and promoting a culture of compliance.
The Deputy Assistant Director of Compliance and Contracting Division is responsible for providing executive leadership and internal coordination, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the division, developing division and agency policies and procedures, supervising Managing Directors, and managing various projects and committees. This critical position ensures the division operates efficiently and effectively, aligning with the organization's mission and goals.
This position serves as a member of the division and/or agency leadership and management teams. This position fills in for the Assistant Director in their absence.This position provides critical oversight of all policy work for the division. This position provides comprehensive
oversight of state audits and other engagements within Commerce in partnership with the unit under review.
This position will provide oversight of the agency’s audit response, addressing findings internally, resolving
issues with regulators, etc., and ensure the integrity and consistency of services of the division as well as the
integrity and consistency of personnel management within the division.
Executive Leadership Support: The Deputy Assistant Director consults with executive leadership to support
specific programs, initiatives, and the mission of the agency. The position serves as a change agent and
champion by assessing and anticipating agency and program needs and creating and integrating the solutions
necessary to effectively meet those needs.
Division Leadership: This position operationalizes executive leadership’s vision and strategic direction to
ensure Commerce’s mission is accomplished. The Deputy Assistant Director is the second most senior position
in CCD and provides oversight and direction to the entire division.
Central Contract Management: This position supports staff in the Central Contracts Office in accomplishing
responsibilities for central contract management and oversight of contracting activities across the agency With
nearly 8,000 active contracts, contract management is a significant function of the Department of Commerce.
Internal Controls Management: This position supports staff in the Internal Controls Office in creating and
implementing effective internal controls across the agency. With over $8 billion in state and federal funding,
effective internal controls are critical to the agency’s success. Support includes an annual internal monitoring
plan, communication of internal control deficiencies, implementing education programs addressing internal
controls, internal control review analysis and evaluations to actively monitor for federal regulation changes and
provide agency-wide communication and training on federal and state regulation compliance and changes.
This includes acting as the liaison between external auditors and internal programs.
Office Services Management: This position supports staff in Office Services in creating and implementing
policies and procedures related to purchasing, records, facilities and leases. With approximately 800
employees, ensuring proper and efficient provisioning is critical and has the potential to stop work if not done.
Risk and Resiliency Management: This position supports staff in Risk and Resiliency in monitoring, managing,
and assessing all manner of risk to the agency. This includes maintenance of the Continuity of Operations Plan
(COOP) and well as ensuring compliance with emergency management preparation requirements, liaising with
the Washington Military Department, and responding to emergent circumstances impacting the agency and/or
employees.
Staff Supervision: This position directly supervises the 3 unit Managing Directors and the Risk and Emergency
Safety Manager. This position may be tasked with managing additional division staff in the absence of a unit
MD or as assigned by the Chief Compliance and Contracting Officer.Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:
Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:
Experience must include the following:
Five (5) of the nine (9) years of professional experience must include working in government programs,
grant administration/accounting, and/or managing state programs or contractual agreements.
Two (2) of the nine (9) years of experience must include all the following:
• Supervising first-line supervisors, including hiring, training and development, assigning work,
evaluating performance, and taking corrective action.
• Planning, leading, and overseeing the internal operations of a multi-team business unit.
• Managing complex budgets.
Required position competencies:
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain self-awareness with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Strategic leadership and planning skills.
• Ability to effectively implement executive and legislative policies and make internal policy
decisions with large-scale implications.
• Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office suite of products including OneDrive, Teams,
SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Post-secondary education involving major study in business or public administration, political science, or a
closely related field. Education will be counted on a year for year basis.
Examples of how to qualify:
• 9 years of experience
• 8 years of experience and 1 year of education
• 7 years of experience and 2 years of education
• 6 years of experience and 3 years of education
• 5 years of experience and 4 years of education
• 4 years of experience and 5 years of education
• 3 years of experience and 6 years of education
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
• Juris doctor from an ABA accredited law school
• Deep understanding of contract law principles
• Project management certification
• LEAN certification
To be considered for this position the following are needed:
- A complete and detailed online application.
- A cover letter (enter online).
- At least three professional references (enter online).
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.
Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.
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.
Salary : $113,217 - $138,146