Director of Contracts and Payment

DescriptionThe Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as the Director of Contracts and Payments within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP). The Bureau works to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities throughout the Commonwealth, with a commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting equitable access to public health services. As a member of the Bureau’s Administration and Finance (A&F) team, you will lead procurement, contracting, purchasing, contract monitoring, and payment operations that support critical public health programs. You will apply financial management, grant management, and budget analysis knowledge to coordinate funding availability, address financial issues, and strengthen business practices in close partnership with the Fiscal Unit and program teams. The Fiscal Unit retains responsibility for Bureau fiscal oversight.You will lead a seven (7) person team, with three direct reports and four indirect reports, and hold responsibility for conducting and approving purchases within delegated authority, overseeing procurement activities, and supervising staff who perform purchasing functions. Working with Bureau leadership, program managers, and financial partners, you will develop practical solutions to complex fiscal and operational challenges, support staff growth, and improve the systems that connect contracts, purchasing, payments, and financial operations. You will also assess policies, procedures, and operational decisions through a racial equity lens, with attention to health and social disparities, to support inclusive and equitable BCHAP practices and programs. This position offers the opportunity to combine team leadership and financial expertise with meaningful work supporting the health and quality of life of Massachusetts residents.Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):Oversee BCHAP procurement, contracting, purchasing, contract monitoring, and payment operations, ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal requirements, established policies, and sound financial management practices.Conduct and approve purchases within delegated authority; oversee procurement activities and supervise staff responsible for purchasing, ensuring appropriate documentation, approvals, and internal controls.Provide leadership, strategic planning, thoughtful decision-making, and internal monitoring of BCHAP purchasing and contracting practices while balancing limited resources, competing priorities, and evolving statewide service needs.Work closely with the Fiscal Unit’s analysts and program teams to coordinate funding availability, address funding-related issues, and support contracts, purchases, and payments.Apply working knowledge of financial management, grant management, and budget analysis to support informed decisions and effective coordination across interdependent units.Advise program managers and staff on procurement regulations, contracting requirements, Chapter 257 rate setting, contract scope development, and appropriate contract monitoring practices.Directly supervise three staff and provide leadership and oversight to four indirect reports. Manage performance appraisals, coaching, mentoring, training, and individualized professional development, and support other staff managers in maintaining effective teams.Coordinate team meetings and establish communication tools, feedback mechanisms, and performance expectations that support collaboration, staff achievement, and career advancement.Develop, implement, and monitor policies and procedures for contracting, procurement, purchasing, and payments. Ensure requirements are clear, understood, and implemented; maximize limited resources; track A&F deliverables; and lead quality improvement initiatives that strengthen compliance, internal controls, and workflow efficiency.Partner with the Assistant Director of Fiscal Operations, the Administration and Finance Director, and other Bureau leaders to strengthen systems across the A&F team, address complex fiscal and operational issues, and contribute to Bureau planning and quality improvement activities.Maintain productive relationships with DPH Purchase of Service, Accounting, other bureaus, and administrative offices to coordinate activities and resolve complex issues involving multiple functions.Assess policies, procedures, and operational decisions through a racial equity lens, with attention to health and social disparities, and integrate racial equity considerations into contracting, procurement, purchasing, and payment practices.Provide critical support, technical assistance, and training to Bureau staff on financial procedures, contracting requirements, and systems, including the Information Warehouse, MOSAIC, PTS, and other relevant applications. Ensure staff have the training needed to fulfill their responsibilities.Balance requests from program staff requiring assistance with fiscal emergencies, senior management requiring financial analysis of long-term or ongoing issues, and other bureaus requiring timely responses to detailed questions. Provide analytical expertise, program-specific analyses, and practical recommendations to resolve problems.Preferred Qualifications:Demonstrated experience managing procurement, contracting, purchasing, contract monitoring, and payment operations within a public-sector, healthcare, or similarly complex organization, including direct purchasing and purchase approval responsibilities.Working knowledge of fiscal and financial management, grant management, budget analysis, financial analysis, and responsible stewardship of public funds.Strong understanding of Massachusetts state procurement and contracting requirements, fiscal policies, and applicable state and federal compliance standards.Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures related to systems change, process improvement, internal controls, audits, and tracking and monitoring compliance with state and federal requirements.Proven ability to supervise and develop staff through performance appraisals, coaching, mentoring, team development, training, and individualized professional development plans that reflect staff strengths, development needs, career aspirations, and abilities.Strong leadership, facilitation, strategic planning, project management, and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects to completion while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial and contracting requirements, build productive relationships, and guide and motivate others.Experience collaborating across departments to resolve complex fiscal and operational challenges and support informed financial and business decisions.Knowledge of Massachusetts state financial and administrative systems, including the Information Warehouse, MOSAIC, PTS, or comparable applications.Ability to incorporate racial equity considerations into financial procedures, contracting, procurement, purchasing, and operational decisions, with attention to health and social disparities.Sound judgment, honesty, integrity, and a commitment to leading by example and supporting public service.Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams.About the Department of Public Health:The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health​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) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in financial management work (i.e. budgeting, accounting, auditing, management analysis, program evaluation, financial reporting of program results), of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.III. A Graduate degree or higher in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.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: UnclassifiedOrganization: Department of Public HealthSchedule: Full-timeShift: Day