Assistant Director of Equity in Public Spending

Description

This is an overtime exempt role, and the position can expect to work beyond a 40 hour work week occasionally. Standard business hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm but expected to adjust the work schedule and work additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines. The position will be required to work weekends as well as early mornings and late evenings to meet the business needs of the agency. 

About OMWBE
The Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) leads the state’s efforts to ensure fair and equitable access to public contracting and procurement. As the sole state agency authorized to certify small minority – and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs), OMWBE administers a comprehensive program that includes business certification, small business support, and robust Supplier Diversity initiatives. We collaborate with state agencies, institutions of higher education, local and regional governments, and small diverse businesses to instill equitable and inclusive contracting and procurement policies and practices across the state of Washington and lead the Governor’s Subcabinet on Business Diversity. Our work ensures small businesses, and businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities secure more government contracts—strengthening local economies, enhancing community resilience, and improving the quality of life for all Washingtonians.

Our Purpose
To be a vital and trusted resource for small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities—improving access, visibility, and opportunity in public contracting and procurement. We promote equity in Washington State spending by dismantling barriers to participation and advancing inclusive economic growth. 
 
To learn more about how OMWBE supports Washington State, click here to explore our website.
 
About this Opportunity
The Assistant Director of Equity in Public Spending is a strategic and operational leader responsible for advancing equity in public contracting through oversight of compliance programs that currently include the statewide Supplier Diversity Program and the Audit and Review Program established by House Bill 1259. This position supports OMWBE's mission to facilitate the maximum practicable opportunity for equitable participation by minority- and women-owned businesses in public works, goods, and services with state agencies and educational institutions. The Assistant Director ensures program integrity, strengthens public procurement equity, and leads innovation in inclusive practices statewide.

The role reports directly to the Deputy Director and serves as the agency’s lead strategist and subject matter expert in supplier diversity, compliance reviews, and public-sector equity initiatives. The Assistant Director manages a team of professional staff and actively engages across agencies, community partners, and policy forums to ensure meaningful inclusion of diverse businesses in Washington’s economy.

As a direct report to the Deputy Director, this position helps translate strategic direction into programmatic execution, provides high-level insight on emerging risks and opportunities, and ensures operational alignment with executive priorities. The Assistant Director serves as a critical advisor and partner in agency-wide decision-making, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.

For the full job description, email the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan jobs@des.wa.gov.

Duties

Some of the duties and responsibilities associated with this position include:

Supplier Diversity Program

• Oversee planning, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the Supplier Diversity Program in alignment with RCW 39.19
• Develop tools, training, and resources to assist agencies in meeting supplier diversity goals and embedding equity into procurement practices
• Track and assess key performance indicators (KPIs) and use data insights to improve program delivery

Audit and Review Program

• Manage and implement the Audit and Review Program to detect fraud and enforce compliance with RCW 39.19
• Establish rules and procedures for penalties, including decertification and debarment
• Create and maintain systems for investigation tracking, reporting, and continuous improvement
• Provide technical support and outreach on eligibility and compliance requirements

Collaboration, Outreach, and Policy Leadership

• Serve as agency liaison to statewide procurement bodies and cross-agency working groups
• Represent the agency at public forums, industry events, and policy discussions

Leadership, Supervision, and Workforce Development

• Provides strategic supervision and inclusive leadership to professional staff, including Supplier Diversity Program Managers and Compliance Analysts
• Develops individualized growth plans, delivers or coordinates technical training, and facilitates ongoing feedback through one-on-one meetings, team discussions, and collaborative problem-solving

• Maintains supervisory documentation and ensures compliance with agency policies, performance management standards, and collective bargaining agreements
• Coordinates with Human Resources on hiring, performance evaluations, professional development, and other personnel matters

Data Analysis and Program Evaluation

• Support agency strategic planning, budgeting, and legislative reporting

Qualifications

Required Qualifications
Ways to qualify for this position:
[OPTION 1]

• Four (4) years of full-time professional experience demonstrating:
   – Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
   – Oral and written communication through presentations and reports
   – Teamwork, collaboration, and leadership
   – Use of data to communicate complex information
   – Project and/or program management
   – Continuous improvement using Lean, Agile, or similar methodologies
   – Contracting and procurement practices

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, law, public policy, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in supplier diversity management, contract compliance, and/or implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives related to public spending
• Two (2) years of experience in community engagement
• Two (2) years of experience in program management
• One (1) year of experience in purchasing, contracts, and/or procurement
• At least two (2) years of experience supervising or leading staff

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to design and implement complex initiatives
• Advanced writing and communication skills, including plain language and audience engagement
• Strong listening, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, make timely decisions, and maintain high performance under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data visualization tools
• Understanding of Lean/Agile methodologies and continuous improvement practices
• Skilled in public speaking and presenting to diverse audiences
• Knowledge of procurement laws, small business programs, and supplier diversity policy

Equity and Inclusion:

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in public service
• Awareness of cultural differences and systemic inequities
• Proven ability to foster inclusive environments and challenge structural barriers
• Experience working with diverse communities and partners

Accountability & Professional Integrity

• Accepts personal responsibility for actions, decisions, and their consequences
• Demonstrates honesty, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all situations
• Communicates progress and challenges regularly with agency leadership and stakeholders
• Maintains reliability under pressure and upholds trust with internal teams and executive leadership

Customer & Service Orientation

• Proactively identifies and anticipates customer and stakeholder needs, including those from historically underrepresented groups
• Delivers responsive, respectful, and high-quality service with a focus on removing barriers and improving experiences
• Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and consistency in all service interactions
• Keeps leadership informed of customer trends, emerging needs, and service improvements

Effective Communication & Active Listening

• Communicates complex information clearly, concisely, and appropriately for diverse audiences, including executive leaders
• Engages in regular dialogue with agency leadership to ensure alignment, transparency, and shared understanding
• Listens with intention, respects differing viewpoints, and encourages open, inclusive dialogue across all levels of the organization
• Facilitates meetings and conversations that support collaboration, understanding, and strategic decision-making

Commitment to Quality & Precision

• Produces accurate, complete, and thoughtful work products with strong attention to detail
• Proactively identifies errors or gaps and takes initiative to resolve them
• Delivers dependable results that meet or exceed expectations in quality and consistency
• Keeps agency leaders informed of progress, quality standards, and any issues impacting delivery

Technical Mastery & Subject Expertise

• Applies deep knowledge of relevant fields, including public contracting, certification, procurement equity, or program management
• Shares technical expertise with teams and agency leadership to inform decision-making and drive strategy
• Keeps skills up to date and aligns technical work with current policies, systems, and tools

Learning Agility & Growth Mindset

• Demonstrates curiosity and self-motivation in learning new concepts, systems, and methods
• Adapts to new information, feedback, and changing environments with flexibility and resilience
• Seeks opportunities for personal and team development, and shares learning insights with leadership to inform agency growth

Sound Judgment & Decision-Making

• Makes timely, well-reasoned decisions using relevant data, stakeholder input, and professional insight
• Communicates key decisions, rationales, and implications clearly to agency leadership and affected teams
• Weighs risks and consequences, adjusts as needed, and demonstrates confidence in high-stakes decision-making

Time & Task Management

• Plans effectively prioritizes competing responsibilities, and consistently meets deadlines
• Manages time independently and efficiently while respecting the time of others, including leadership
• Provides timely updates to agency leaders on task status, dependencies, and potential roadblocks

Results-Oriented Execution

• Maintains focus on impact, outcomes, and progress toward strategic goals
• Takes initiative and follows through on commitments, even in the face of obstacles
• Drives high performance by holding self and others accountable for measurable results
• Aligns results with agency priorities and communicates outcomes to leadership for continuous improvement

Inclusive Practice & Equity-Driven Perspective

• Actively values different backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives in decision-making and planning
• Practices cultural humility and promotes access, fairness, and representation in service delivery and workplace culture
• Works to identify and address structural barriers that limit opportunity or create disparate outcomes in public systems
• Keeps agency leaders informed of equity-related efforts, trends, and progress toward inclusive outcomes

Supplemental Information

Special Requirements / Condition of Employment

• Ability to travel, sometimes overnight, and work outside of normal business hours on occasion managing staff in multiple locations

How to Apply: 
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest 
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with their updated contact information.