Contracts Unit Manager (WMS2)

Contracts Unit Manager (WMS2)

Salary

$89,856.00 - $123,312.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-07131

Department

Employment Security Department

Division

Administrative Services

Opening Date

09/03/2026

Closing Date

9/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and experienced leader to serve as the Contracts Unit Manager.

The ideal candidate is an expert-level contracting professional who applies advanced critical thinking and independent judgment to navigate high-risk, potentially sensitive acquisitions. You are an inspiring mentor who fosters a healthy, inclusive team culture while modeling a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and supplier inclusion. Skilled at balancing strict legal compliance with exceptional customer service, you bring the calm confidence needed to facilitate sensitive negotiations, mitigate risk, and translate complex federal and state regulations into clear, actionable guidance.

Duties

As the Contracts Unit Manager, you will play a dual leadership and strategic role, supporting the Contracting Team, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering timely contract documents that meet customer needs. Reporting to the CAMP Director, you will collaborate with the Administrative Services Division (ASD) Leadership team to advance the agency's strategic goals and dismantle barriers to equity for underserved groups. You will serve as the primary agency-wide authority on state procurement and contracting, providing expert consultation to internal and external partners on all goods and services, including IT. Additionally, you will act as the lead grant strategist for federal and non-federal grants, ensuring the agency reduces operational risk, prevents audit findings, and maintains its public confidence and delegation of authority.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and supervise the Contracts team, including hiring, mentoring, training, managing workload production, and resolving interpersonal or performance issues.
• Manage high-profile, high-dollar, and politically sensitive competitive procurements, solicitations, and contract awards without oversight.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on Federal CFR regulations and grant requirements, partnering with unit coordinators and Assistant Attorneys General (AAG) to ensure compliance.
• Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies and full risk analyses for grants and complex contracts to protect agency funding and reputation.
• Advance supplier diversity initiatives (Executive Order 22-01) by evaluating and promoting minority, women, and veteran-owned business participation.
• Negotiate and award complex, performance-based, and best-value contracts for IT and non-IT goods and services.
• Design and deliver training programs and internal reference manuals regarding procurement practices, templates, and grant contracting for staff agency-wide.
• Consult division managers and leadership on high-visibility acquisition plans, policy execution, and sensitive or contentious contract terminations.

To request a full job description, click here

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Seven (7) years of experience in public sector procurement and contracting, including IT goods and services, with demonstrated success in managing complex, high-profile solicitations and negotiations AND leadership experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff in a procurement or contracting environment.

Option 2:

• Associate's degree in business administration, public administration, contract management, supply chain management, or a related field; AND
• Five (5) years of experience in public sector procurement and contracting, including IT goods and services, with demonstrated success in managing complex, high-profile solicitations and negotiations AND leadership experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff in a procurement or contracting environment.

Option 3:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, contract management, supply chain management, or a related field; AND
• Three (3) years of experience in public sector procurement and contracting, including IT goods and services, with demonstrated success in managing complex, high-profile solicitations and negotiations AND leadership experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff in a procurement or contracting environment.

Option 4:

• Master's degree in business administration, public administration, contract management, supply chain management, or a related field; AND
• Two (2) years of experience in public sector procurement and contracting, including IT goods and services, with demonstrated success in managing complex, high-profile solicitations and negotiations AND leadership experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff in a procurement or contracting environment.

Option 5:

• Juris Doctor degree AND
• One (1) year of experience in public sector procurement and contracting, including IT goods and services, with demonstrated success in managing complex, high-profile solicitations and negotiations AND leadership experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff in a procurement or contracting environment.

Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

The required experience includes:

• Leadership & Mentorship: Inspires, guides, and develops team members; fosters a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Expert Judgment & Critical Thinking: Applies advanced decision-making skills to resolve complex procurement and contracting issues independently.
• Technical Expertise: Mastery of procurement processes, contract law, and industry-specific operational practices.
• Negotiation & Influence: Skilled in negotiating favorable terms for high-value, high-risk contracts while balancing stakeholder needs.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences, facilitate consensus, and manage sensitive discussions.
• Training & Knowledge Sharing: Designs and delivers effective training to staff; serves as the primary resource for procurement and contracting guidance agency-wide.
• Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution: Anticipates challenges, develops creative solutions, and resolves disputes without escalation.
• Organizational Awareness: Ability to understand agency's mission, priorities, and socio-economic considerations in procurement decisions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional certification such as Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or equivalent.
• Experience with grant-related procurement requirements, grant contracts, and federally funded projects.
• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and e-procurement tools.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or other field related to business, contracting and/or purchasing preferred Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is preferred.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy.

Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Cover Letter* and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Supplemental Information

Why work with us?

Our agencys mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; thats why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Katie Swanson (360-742-8208), the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Have you attached your cover letter and resume to your application? Please ensure both documents are included as they are crucial for the evaluation process.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former Washington State government employee?

• Yes
• No

03

If you selected "yes" to the question above, please indicate which state agency. If this does not apply, type N/A.

04

Under RCW 73.16.010, certain military spouses are eligible for preference Do you attest that you meet one of the following eligibility criteria?

• You are the spouse of an active-duty service member; or
• You are the widow or widower of a member of the uniformed services who had a qualifying discharge, as defined in RCW 73.04.005; or
• You are the spouse of a veteran who has a qualifying discharge, as defined in RCW 73.04.005, and a service-connected permanent and total disability.
• None of the above.

05

Please provide a brief explanation of your experience in public sector procurement and contracting, including IT goods and services, with demonstrated success in managing complex, high-profile solicitations and negotiations AND leadership experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff in a procurement or contracting environment. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

06

Leadership & Mentorship: Inspires, guides, and develops team members; fosters a collaborative and high-performance culture. Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates this competency. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

07

Expert Judgment & Critical Thinking: Applies advanced decision-making skills to resolve complex procurement and contracting issues independently. Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates this competency. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

08

Technical Expertise: Mastery of procurement processes, contract law, and industry-specific operational practices. Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates this competency. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

09

Negotiation & Influence: Skilled in negotiating favorable terms for high-value, high-risk contracts while balancing stakeholder needs. Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates this competency. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

10

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences, facilitate consensus, and manage sensitive discussions. Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates this competency. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

11

Training & Knowledge Sharing: Designs and delivers effective training to staff; serves as the primary resource for procurement and contracting guidance agency-wide. Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates this competency. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

12

Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution: Anticipates challenges, develops creative solutions, and resolves disputes without escalation. Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates this competency. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

13

Organizational Awareness: Ability to understand agency's mission, priorities, and socio-economic considerations in procurement decisions. Please provide a brief explanation of how your work experience demonstrates this competency. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

14

• Preferred Qualification (not required): Please provide a brief explanation of your experience with and/or understanding of the following: 1. Professional certification such as Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or equivalent. 2. Experience with grant-related procurement requirements, grant contracts, and federally funded projects. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and e-procurement tools. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.

15

ESD How did you hear about this job opportunity?

• WWW.Careers.Wa.Gov
• WorkSource Center or Website (WorkSourceWA.com)
• Washington State Employee Referral
• ESD Employee Referral
• Employment Security Departments job web page: WWW.Esd.Wa.Gov
• Monster
• College/university career fair or website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• VERG
• Craigslist
• CareerBuilder
• Diversity Jobs
• Handshake
• Other

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov