Director of Contracts and Procurement

The Director of Contracts and Procurement leads the Agency's contracting and procurement functions, ensuring contracts are managed efficiently, transparently, and in compliance with applicable laws and funding requirements. This role oversees procurement operations, contract administration, policy development, and process improvements that support Agency goals and responsible stewardship of public resources. Working closely with leadership and program teams, the Director helps build strong contracting systems that support services for children and families.What You'll DoLead the Agency's procurement, contracting, and contract administration functions.Develop and improve contracting policies, procedures, systems, templates, and tools.Oversee competitive procurements, contract negotiations, contract execution, and vendor management.Partner with leadership, and internal teams to develop effective contracting strategies and support Agency priorities.Monitor contract performance, compliance, budgets, and reporting while identifying opportunities to improve processes and reduce risk.Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, funding requirements, and audit standards.Supervise, mentor, and develop contracts and procurement staff while providing guidance and training across the Agency.QualificationsAny combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Additional experience and/or education can be substituted to meet typical qualifications. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in procurement, contracting, or contract administration, public administration, or a closely related field in a public or private organization, including three (3) years in a supervisory, management, or lead capacity, and the equivalent to a bachelor's degree with major coursework in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, law, contract management, supply chain management or a closely related field. A Master’s degree may substitute for one year of the required experienceAdditional relevant work experience may be substituted to meet the college coursework/bachelor's degree standard.Desirable QualificationsExperience in public-sector procurement, contracting, or contract administrationExperience with grant-funded programs, federally funded contracts, or highly regulated funding environmentsExperience with health, human services, early childhood, education, nonprofit, or community-based service contractsExperience implementing or improving procurement, contract management, workflow, reporting, or records management systemsExperience presenting procurement or contracting matters to executive leadership, boards, commissions, auditors, or governing bodiesProfessional certification such as CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP, CPSM, CPCM, or equivalent is desirableAdditional RequirementsTravel within Alameda County as necessary to carry out job duties and occasional travel outside Alameda County as required. The position may require occasional attendance at evening, off-site, or community meetings and compliance with Agency confidentiality, ethics, conflict-of-interest, and background requirements, as applicable.Knowledge of:Principles, practices and trends of public procurement, contracting, contract administration, vendor performance management, strategic sourcing, and performance-based contractingCompetitive solicitation methods, procurement planning, sourcing, evaluation processes, award recommendations, procurement documentation, and contract closeoutContract development, negotiation, amendments, renewals, risk allocation, insurance, indemnification, deliverables, service levels, and records managementApplicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, funding requirements, Agency policies, public agency ethics standards, transparency requirements, and audit standards governing procurement and contractingGrant-funded procurement and contracting requirements, including documentation, allowability, competition, approval, monitoring, and compliance practicesInternal controls, compliance monitoring, risk management, corrective action, conflict-of-interest prevention, vendor communication protocols, and audit readiness practicesStrategic sourcing, spend analysis, supplier outreach, inclusive procurement practices, procurement performance metrics, dashboards, and reportingPrinciples of public sector budgeting, funding structures, and fiscal managementBudgeting, fiscal controls, purchase orders, encumbrances, invoices, payment coordination, and fiscal monitoring related to contractsContract reporting, performance measurement, and data management practicesProcurement and contract management systems, workflow tools, records repositories, data reporting, and digital document management practicesPrinciples of performance-based contracting and outcome measurementPrinciples and practices of supervision, staff development, project management, organizational planning, change management, process improvement, and systems implementationAbility to:Write and speak effectively, including the ability to write complex technical reports and conduct effective presentations and meetingsExercise sound independent judgment in complex, sensitive, high-risk, and high-visibility procurement and contracting mattersAbility to coordinate complex cross-functional processes involving Program, Finance, Data, Technology, Evaluation, and Executive Leadership teamsInterpret, explain, and apply laws, regulations, policies, funding requirements, procedures, internal controls, and contract termsDevelop and implement policies, procedures, templates, workflows, internal controls, training materials, and process improvementsLead complex solicitations, negotiations, contract reviews, vendor performance processes, dispute resolution efforts, and corrective actionsAnalyze data, identify trends, evaluate risks, measure performance, and recommend practical solutions that balance compliance, transparency, efficiency, equity, cost, and program needsCommunicate complex procurement and contracting requirements clearly to executive leadership, program staff, vendors, auditors, governing bodies, and other audiencesPrepare clear reports, recommendations, presentations, policies, procedures, correspondence, and technical documentsLead organizational change, technology implementation, workflow improvement, staff development, and cross-functional collaborationSupervise, mentor, evaluate, and develop professional, technical, and administrative staffPlan, organize, direct and evaluate agencywide procurement and contracting operationsEstablish and maintain effective working relationships with executive leadership, Agency staff, legal counsel, Finance, Technology, auditors, vendors, community partners, and others contacted in the course of workPlease note:We are currently working a hybrid 2 day per week in-office schedule and employees also come to the office to attend meetings and as requestedAll First 5 employees must live and work in CaliforniaThe salary range for this position is $139,000 to $201,000 and as an independent government agency, the posted salary is the set salary range for this position. We cannot offer salaries above this posted rangeWe conduct reference and background checks for all potential employeesAbout First 5 Alameda CountyFirst 5 Alameda County believes every child in Alameda County should have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential. Through innovative programs and policy advocacy, we help provide children and their families access to resources that support their first five years of development.Join our mission-driven team that in partnership with the community, supports a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves peak years of child development.First 5 Alameda County BenefitsWe offer a comprehensive benefits package with health care options to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage, $1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and more.We also offer paid vacation, paid time off and sick time. We have 17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off. #J-18808-Ljbffr First-5-Alameda