Director of Procurement and Contracting

Position Overview

The Department of Transitional Assistance is seeking dynamic and experienced applicants for the position of Director of Procurement and Contracts. This position advises on the agency’s procurement and contracting strategies, ensures compliance with applicable statutes and regulations, implements best practice business processes, and oversees day-to-day procurement and contracting operations for approximately $100M in purchased goods and services. The ideal candidate for this position brings strong leadership experience in procurement, contracts, and workflow management. The ideal candidate will effectively partner with program, legal unit, and budget unit staff to develop procurements and contracts that meet department needs, reflect comprehensive requirements, and contain the optimal business terms for the department. This position reports to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and directly supervises two (2) staff. This position collaborates closely with the department’s senior leadership team and program directors, as well as external stakeholders such as vendors and the Operational Services Division (OSD). This is a hybrid position required to report in person at least two (2) days per week, including one (1) day at DTA’s administrative office in Boston (subject to change).

Duties and Responsibilities

(these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Oversee the purchase of all services and commodities. This includes writing procurements and contracts, managing the procurement and award process, managing the contract development and execution process, managing the encumbrance creation and maintenance process, and supporting contract compliance efforts.
• Serve as an advisor and business partner to programs to inform procurement and contracting strategies that will lead to desired performance outcomes. This includes providing training and technical assistance to program staff to increase understanding of and compliance with state procurement rules.
• Evaluate, assess, and continuously improve unit business processes to achieve operational effectiveness, team efficiency, and maintain state and/or federal compliance.
• Recommend and work with the finance leadership team and Internal Controls Team in risk assessment, the development of internal controls, and segregation of duties.
• Ensure all oversight agency requirements are met and vendors are in compliance and in good standing with the Commonwealth.
• Liaise with the oversight entities including the Operational Service Division, the Office of the State Comptroller, and Supplier Diversity Office on procurement and contracting related issues.
• Partner with the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to help unit activities align with best practices to increase participation in procurements and increase the number of contracts awarded to qualified diverse vendors. Support the tracking and reporting on these activities.
• Supervise and provide professional development opportunities for direct reports.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong business writing skills and experience developing procurement and contract scopes of work, terms, budgets, etc.
• Knowledge of the Commonwealth’s chart of accounts and proficiency in MOSAIC, the Commonwealth’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting, compliance, quality assurance/quality control, budgeting, and contract administration (including Purchase of Service contracts).
• Knowledge and experience in managing administrative operations, achieving milestones, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to coordinate numerous projects simultaneously to successful completion.
• Experience designing and implementing business and change management processes.
• Ability to build productive relationships with executive and management level financial and program staff, as well as external stakeholders and vendors.
• Experience managing a team and working effectively in groups.
• Ability to understand, apply and explain pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies, and programs.
• Ability to interpret and use data to tell a story in order to solve problems and improve processes.
• Organizational skills and the ability to motivate and supervise staff, to analyze complex problems and issues and to design workable, effective systems.
• Ability to mediate conflicts, coordinate competing interests, and work under time constraints.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Agency Mission

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth. DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need. The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one out of every six people in Massachusetts – including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities. Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment support. Learn more about our services and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dta

Pre-Offer Process

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori. Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests. For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

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MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

1. I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
2. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
3. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
4. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary and Benefits

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.