NEOGOV · 1 week ago
Central Contract Office Managing Director
Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Full-time
Hybrid
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$113K/yr - $138K/yr
4+ years expNEOGOV is part of the Department of Commerce, focused on innovation and community impact. They are seeking a Chief Contracts Officer who will manage state contracting regulations and policies, oversee compliance, and provide expert-level guidance to the agency's contracting activities.
GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware
No H1B
Responsibilities
Contracting oversight and support
Training and technical assistance
Ethics compliance and consultation
The CCO serves as a principal leader in the FSD, leading, directing, and supporting the division's activities and initiatives, which include, but are not limited to, internal projects such as cross-unit process improvements, employee engagement improvement efforts, and various projects impacting the division's strategic and tactical objectives
This position is accountable for providing expert-level, reliable, and professionally sound consultation and advice to executives, managers, supervisors, FSD staff, and agency employees in the areas of contracting oversight and support, contracting technical assistance and training, and ethics and compliance guidance
This position collaborates with executives, managers, supervisors, and employees and supports agency-wide strategic efforts regarding contracting support operations
The CCO is delegated by the CFO through the agency director to conduct independent reviews of third-party contracting disputes and serve as the final decision maker in contracted-related dispute resolution
The CCO serves as the SME on all aspects of contracting and contracting support operations
This position is responsible for the development of contracts, templates, guidance messages, briefing memos (verbal and written), and other materials compliant with complex state, federal, and third-party legal requirements, aligning with agency objectives and articulating and mitigating adverse risk using plain talk
This position provides formal guidance to their staff and agency staff on matters relating to contracting activities, best practices, and/or matters related to agency contracting activity that require executive leadership awareness and/or action
In partnership with agency leaders, staff, and assigned assistant attorney general, the COO works to develop and implement agency contracting policies and procedures
This position advises agency staff on matters of contract execution and conducting competitive procurements in alignment with state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and strategies for maintaining compliance while balancing unique business objectives
This position periodically reports on agency contracting activity including practices, emergent issues, and/or general performance matters using the best information available
The CCO uses technical knowledge of different contracting methods, forms, and processes (inter-agency contracts, grants, memoranda of understanding, leases, loans, procurement contracts, competitive solicitations, etc.) to assess information, identify risk, and communicate in plain talk to diverse groups of professionals with varying levels of related job knowledge
The CCO delivers technical assistance and training to agency staff necessary to conduct effective and compliant contracting-related duties
Serving as the chair and principal coordinator of the agency contracting operations workgroup (ACOW) this position delivers effective training, consultation, and other guidance on the use of agency-provided contracting resources, state and federal contracting laws, rules, or other guidelines
This task includes providing document resources, references, and relevant interpretations
This position oversees and/or delivers effective contracts and procurement-related training on a recurring basis and acts as policy and procedure owner for agency contracting policies
Conducting policy, procedure, and template document maintenance as needed and in partnership with agency staff and/or the assigned AAG complete reviews of assigned fiscal notes, decision packages, and/or agency request legislation
Provides both technical and policy-related feedback
Serving as the agency ethics officer, the CCO conducts reviews and analysis of ethics related matters and provides guidance, research, and consultation on matters of compliance and interpretation of state ethics laws/rules
Acts as policy and procedure owner for agency ethics policies
Conducts policy and procedure maintenance as needed
Serves as primary liaison between agency staff and the Executive Ethics Board (EEB)
Collaborates with the EEB, agency leadership, and the Chief Human Resources Officer (or delegate) to monitor and assess ongoing investigations and/or activities/issues of significant concern
Activities/issues of concern include but are not limited to matters currently under evaluation that may result in significant adverse risk or harm to the agency
Coordinates and collaborates with the Chief Human Resources Officer (or delegate) and as needed to the EEB to assess potential conflicts of interest, review disclosure of outside employment, volunteerism, or appointments to outside boards/committees' documentation
Refers suspected ethics violations to the EEB as appropriate
Provides consultation to agency staff on matters concerning compliance and applicability of ethics laws and rules
Oversees the development and delivery of ethics training to agency employees
The COO manages a team of contract professionals who are responsible for delivering contracting support service work at all organizational levels
This position recruits, develops, and trains staff necessary to deliver consistently effective and efficient contracting support services
Qualification
Required
Any combination of eight (8) total years of experience. This could be gained by a combination of relevant education beyond high school equivalency, and/or professional contracting experience
A minimum of four (4) years of professional-level experience must be performing legal risk mitigation, negotiating, contract and/or program management, or administering and terminating government contracts
Up to four (4) years of education beyond high-school equivalency can be substituted year for year experience
Advanced knowledge of state and federal contracting laws, regulations, and procedures
Advanced knowledge of the legislative process and federal and state government structure
Advanced knowledge of state laws related to ethics in public service
Ability to lead and oversee major government purchasing actions including development of specifications and solicitation documents, managing sealed bid processes, evaluating and selecting the winning vendor, and addressing debriefing conferences, complaints, and/or protests
Ability to develop and manage agency-wide policies and procedures
Ability to independently analyze, and weigh the risks versus benefits in decisions and recommendations
Demonstrated organization and time management skills
Strong customer service skills, with the ability to explain technical information in plain talk
Strong attention to detail with the ability to effectively review and redact high volumes of documents
Ability to lead, motivate, coach, mentor and train professional staff
Demonstrated skill in writing professional communications
Create and/or maintain a space that is inclusive and safe for everyone who interacts with and within our agency
Implement practices and working conditions that achieve inclusion in the workforce and in the way we serve the public
Identifying where barriers and inequities exist in your area of expertise or responsibility and lead the removal, change or culture adjustment
Support and encourage your peers, ensuring accountability for the agency's DEI work
Actively participate with the agency's collective DEI work, initiatives, workgroups, and share knowledge gained with your team
Co-create and support policies, programs, practices and procedures that increase the power, voice and influence of the most impacted and marginalized employees
Advocate, share and encourage ongoing training for staff on the topics of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism
Become aware of and be open to the cultural differences within your team. Create brave spaces for discussion and respond effectively to inappropriate and non-inclusive behavior
Use DEI data to inform and influence your organization's programs and services. Learn the story that data is telling and then operationalize inclusivity in decisions affecting policies and practices
Preferred
A law degree (Juris Doctor) from an ABA-accredited law school
Demonstrated knowledge in the area of governmental contracting and procurement
Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, prioritize workloads, meet deadlines, and provide independent strategic direction/decision making
Experience drafting agency policies and procedures
Ability to clearly communicate complex information, verbally and in writing to a non-technical audience
Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, stays focused under pressure
Gives the appropriate attention to detail and accuracy, has a commitment to excellence, strives for continuous quality improvement
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to work with diverse groups of people and work collaboratively with others
Knowledge of best practices related to internal controls
Advanced knowledge of process improvement methods
Build consensus across divergent interests and competing priorities
Benefits
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
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Company
NEOGOV
NEOGOV is the leading provider of workforce management software uniquely designed for the public sector, education, and public safety.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$700MKey Investors
Warburg Pincus
2025-07-28Secondary Market· $700M
2025-07-28Acquired
2021-06-02Private Equity
Leadership Team
Shane Evangelist
CEO
Brandon McDonald
Head Of Marketing
Recent News
Canada NewsWire
2025-11-14
2025-11-14
Government Technology US
2025-10-31
Company data provided by crunchbase