Contracts and Procurement Manager

Job Responsibilities

Lead the development, adoption, and sustainability of consistent procurement and contract management practices that strengthen accountability and risk management while preserving the department’s commitment to equity and community-centered service delivery.

Supervise 3-4 staff, including Contracts Policy Advisor, Procurement Policy Advisor, and Planning and Development Specialist.

Convene department-wide leadership and contracting and planning staff to identify opportunities to streamline and advance department processes and systems, including procurement, contract development and compliance monitoring, and reporting, in collaboration with HSD’s Data, Performance, and Evaluation and Finance teams.

Identify and develop staff training opportunities and approaches that support department-wide standardization and reinforce expectations for strong internal controls, audit readiness, and performance transparency.

Lead change management efforts that help establish a culture of stewardship and accountability in the department’s procurement and contracting work.

Elevate the department’s support for community service providers throughout the procurement and contracting process including access to technical assistance, development of clear communications, and wherever possible, alignment with other public funding processes and best practices.

Ensure that all Requests for Proposals/Qualifications and contracts are executed in accordance with funder requirements, legal requirements, and city standards.

Integrate customer-centric and compliance approaches to ensure processes are streamlined and equitable.

Lead in resolving any contract-related disputes, in partnership with other leaders as appropriate.

Conduct regular contract audits to ensure compliance with legal regulations and HSD policies.

Identify potential risks and issues that could affect contract and procurement administration and propose solutions.

Generate reports for HSD leaders and other key decision-makers.

Use technology to streamline processes and identify opportunities for improvement.

Serve as primary point of contact on HSD contracting and procurement to various internal and external stakeholders.

Create a learning environment which ensures policies and practices reinforce stewardship, compliance, analytical thinking, and problem-solving at all levels of the department.

Lead staff training on contract compliance including assessing risk, onsite monitoring, invoice processing, technical writing, and reviewing contracts to ensure quality, clarity, and legality.

Identify and implement process improvement recommendations based on national and local conditions, industry best and promising practices, and proven strategies related to high-quality human services investments.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable leadership and proven experience in contracts and procurement management (e.g., Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications) and systems including a proficient understanding of contract law and regulations, as well as the ability to interpret legal documents and language.
• Commitment to Service: Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and build positive, trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and take on varied work as it arises.
• Ability to work effectively in a high volume, politically sensitive, and complex environment.
• Communication Abilities: Excellent written and verbal skills in communicating complex subject matter and terminology through succinct, accessible information to government and community leaders and staff.
• Management and Leadership Skills: Ability to prioritize, organize, and delegate work to meet deadlines, and function effectively as a team in a high-pressure, outcome-driven environment with minimal supervision, and the ability to work across teams and manage change.
• Equity Analysis: Apply racial equity framework to all work and engage in departmental efforts to eliminate racial disparities and advance equity in City government and broader community.
• Relational Skills: Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with a multidisciplinary team and collaborators, including a wide array of partners from diverse backgrounds and in a hybrid work environment.