Contract Oversight and Support Director

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

1d•$7,717 - $13,051•Remote

About The Position

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Community Services (CS) department seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the Contract Oversight and Support Director III position. The Contract Oversight and Support Director reports to the Community Services Associate Commissioner. The position provides strategic leadership for contract oversight, procurement support, and audit coordination across the CS Division. The Director III performs highly advanced contract and procurement management across the contracting life cycle, including development, negotiations, execution, performance and termination of contracts and procurements. The role ensures robust oversight of contract performance, risk mitigation, and alignment with programmatic objectives. Coordinates contract and audit work with program areas to provide innovative solutions for complex issues which have a direct impact on clients and service providers. Directs the daily operations and activities, provides strategic planning, sets priorities and establishes an operational framework for contract and procurement compliance, and performance management. Provides centralized audit support and coordination, serving as the primary liaison for internal and external audit entities, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent audit responses across the division. Oversees contract and audit accountability, implementation of policies, guidelines, procedures, rules and regulations. In collaboration with the department’s sections, develops section goals, performance measures and strategies for achieving metrics. Oversees the establishment of measurement tools for determining progress in meeting department metrics. Evaluates policy and contract operations for optimizing accuracy and efficiency. Removes barriers to department’s operations; escalates as appropriate. Responds to legislative information requests and analyzes contract related legislation for program areas. Directs staff, plans and assigns work. Establishes and enforces standardized oversight frameworks, including monitoring tools, performance metrics, and risk-based reviews. Leads efforts to identify contract risks, implement mitigation strategies, and resolve complex contract and audit performance issues in coordination with program leadership. Manages information and develops communication documents provided to executive staff, legislators, Inspector General and other audit entities. Prepares presentations on programmatic and contract related activities. The Director represents the Department at business meetings, conferences, and seminars or on workgroups and committees. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The ideal candidate thrives in an environment that emphasizes teamwork to achieve goals, excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, curiosity to continuously grow and learn, critical thinking for effective execution, and integrity to do things right.

Requirements

Knowledge of state and federal procurement and contracting laws.
Knowledge of HHS agency's policy and procedures. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to health and human services. Knowledge of State of Texas legislative processes and initiatives.
Knowledge of strategic planning, program management, financial and contract management. Knowledge of project management principles and practices. Knowledge of CAPPS Financial 9.2, USAS, SCOR or similar financial systems that support procurement or contract management activities
Skills in establishing plans, performance measures, setting objectives and goals. Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities. Skill in problem solving. Skill in leadership, communication and public speaking. Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups. Skill in the use of computers, spreadsheets, databases, Microsoft Office.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions. Ability to establish goals and objectives. Ability to lead, implement and balance change and to improve program performance. Ability to communicate and negotiate with diverse individuals and groups. Ability to direct and organize program activities; and to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) is required.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
At least 4 years supervisory/managerial or leadership experience in state government procurement and contract management/administration.
Experience overseeing community and social service programs.
Experience managing staff.
Experience may be substituted year for year to meet the education requirement.

Nice To Haves

Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) is preferred and required within 12 months of hire date unless otherwise approved by supervisor.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic direction for contract oversight, procurement support, and compliance management across the CS Division’s four departments. Establishes priorities, performance measures, and operational standards to ensure effective contract administration and procurement execution. Ensures alignment with state and federal requirements and HHSC policies while supporting program areas in achieving service delivery goals. (30%)
Implements and oversees a comprehensive quality assurance and audit support framework to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of contract and procurement activities. Coordinates division-wide audit responses, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts. Evaluates contracting and procurement activities, monitors compliance, and ensures uniformity of processes across all CS departments. . (25%)
Directs work, plans, assigns and supervises staff and operations. Provides direct reports with clear direction and information on responsibilities and work performance expectations. Hires, manages, and develops staff. Performs timely performance evaluations. Recommends appropriate personnel actions in compliance with HHS HR policies. Ensures staff development and training. Routinely communicates management decisions to staff regarding relevant departmental activities. Ensures staff have resources to carry out their responsibilities. (20%)
Implements a management reporting mechanism to generate daily, weekly and/or monthly reports on the status of contract and procurement activities for management review. Oversees and routinely reviews contracting status reports and provides guidance and removes barriers when milestones are at risk. Reviews and approves management, productivity, and financial reports and studies. Provides direction on policy and programmatic implementation projects. (15%)
Represents the Department at business meetings, seminars, conferences, panels, workgroups, and committees as required. Leads or serves on workgroups as requested. Develops presentations, writes reports, composes executive memorandums and provides timely information to Department, and/or CPSO Division and executive management. Conducts presentations, provides information to executive management and other groups and organizations. Reviews legislation and regulations pertinent to HHS contracts and procurement (10%)