Chief Administrative Officer for Strategic Purchasing and Financial Compliance

DescriptionThe Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) works to promote and protect health and wellness, prevent illness and injury, and advance equitable access to quality public health and health care services across the Commonwealth. We are seeking candidates for the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Strategic Purchasing and Financial Compliance. This is a senior leadership position within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) that helps ensure DPH has the financial and administrative infrastructure needed to carry out that mission. The position provides department-wide leadership across financial operations, strategic purchasing, procurement and contracting, federal grant administration, vendor management, and internal controls, helping DPH use public resources responsibly while supporting programs, hospitals, providers, and communities throughout Massachusetts. Reporting to the CFO, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to influence how a large and complex public health organization manages resources, responds to changing federal and state requirements, and strengthens its administrative operations. This role is especially well suited for an experienced leader who enjoys solving complex problems, developing other leaders, and bringing together financial, operational, legal, and program perspectives to reach practical decisions. With significant independent decision-making authority and responsibility for advising executive leadership, the CAO will help shape policies, modernize business practices, strengthen accountability, and protect the continuity of important public health programs during periods of changing priorities, funding pressures, and increased scrutiny.Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):Direct department-wide strategic purchasing operations, including encumbrance strategy, year-end planning, financial reporting, resource management, and the resolution of complex fiscal and administrative matters.Lead DPH's strategic purchasing approach for goods, services, human and social services, grants, and other agreements, balancing value, quality, competition, risk, supplier diversity, and continuity of services.Oversee procurement and contracting activities, including sourcing strategies, solicitations, vendor selection, contract execution, amendments, renewals, closeout, and the appropriate use of statewide contracts.Establish department-wide procurement, contracting, and administrative policies, procedures, internal controls, service standards, escalation protocols, and performance measures consistent with applicable Commonwealth and federal requirements.Provide strategic leadership for federal and private grant administration, including evaluating funding opportunities, reviewing application and carry-over budgets, monitoring award requirements, and coordinating compliance strategies across DPH.Serve as DPH's Authorized Organization Representative and other designated authorizing roles for federal and private grants, approving, certifying, and submitting official grant actions within delegated authority.Monitor changes in federal funding requirements and award conditions, working with Legal, bureau leadership, federal agencies, and other partners to assess risk, maintain compliance, and protect funding and program continuity.Resolve complex financial, procurement, contract, vendor, and grant matters, including performance concerns, questioned costs, audit findings, corrective actions, recoveries, and other issues requiring coordinated operational, financial, and legal responses.Advise the CFO and executive leadership on purchasing and contracting strategies, administrative policy, resource needs, operational risks, internal controls, and significant compliance matters.Supervise and develop senior managers and staff responsible for core administrative functions, establishing clear priorities, performance expectations, accountability measures, and continuity plans for critical operations.Advance improvements to financial and purchasing workflows, systems, reporting, and analytics, using data to identify operational barriers, strengthen accountability, improve customer service, and support informed decision-making.Represent DPH with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Office of the Comptroller, Operational Services Division, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, federal agencies, auditors, providers, vendors, and other oversight and business partners on significant financial, procurement, grant, and administrative matters.Preferred Qualifications:Knowledge of Massachusetts state government and Commonwealth procurement, purchasing, contracting, internal-control, the principles of responsible stewardship of public funds, and year-end processes.Familiarity with the laws, regulations, policies, and guidance administered by the Office of the Comptroller, Operational Services Division, EOHHS, A&F, and other applicable oversight entities.Demonstrated experience leading complex financial, administrative, procurement, contracting, or business operations within a large public-sector, health care, human services, or similarly regulated organization.Well-versed in strategic sourcing, procurement planning, competitive solicitation processes, contract administration, vendor management, negotiation, supplier diversity, and purchasing risk management.Experience with federal grant administration, including funding applications, award requirements, compliance, internal controls, audits, corrective actions, and the management of changing federal requirements.Proven ability to lead and develop senior managers and multidisciplinary teams while establishing priorities, maintaining accountability, and ensuring continuity of critical operations.Adept at analyzing complex financial, legal, operational, programmatic, and market information and translating that information into practical strategies, policies, and executive-level recommendations.Demonstrated success identifying systemic risks and operational barriers, strengthening internal controls, improving business processes, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, facilitation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate complex requirements clearly to executive leaders, program staff, oversight agencies, providers, vendors, and other stakeholders.Capacity to exercise sound independent judgment and lead effectively through ambiguity, changing priorities, funding pressures, urgent deadlines, emergency conditions, and matters receiving significant public or organizational scrutiny.Track record of using data, performance measures, reporting tools, and technology to improve financial or administrative operations, strengthen accountability, and support organizational decision-making.Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams; familiarity with Commonwealth systems such as Mosaic and COMMBUYS is a plus!DPH Mission and Vision: The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism. We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances. Learn more: Pre-Hire Process:A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.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 RequestsFor questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io Ext. #4QualificationsMINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) 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 three (3) years must have been in a managerial capacity.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 BenefitsWhen 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!An 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.Job Field: Administrative ServicesOrganization: Department of Public HealthSchedule: Full-timeShift: Day