Assistant Director of Equity in Public Spending

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Responsibilities

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
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
Serve as agency liaison to statewide procurement bodies and cross-agency working groups
Represent the agency at public forums, industry events, and policy discussions
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
Support agency strategic planning, budgeting, and legislative reporting