Contracts Specialist Supervisor

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Department of Commerce is seeking a Contracts Specialist Supervisor to join the Housing Division's Multifamily Housing Unit. This role is responsible for overseeing the State Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs. The position leads a team of Contract Specialists, acting as a subject matter expert in developing, negotiating, and generating complex contracts and legal documents to safeguard the state's investments. The role requires independent judgment regarding legal requirements for housing finance investments and provides expert technical assistance to program contractors and staff on contracting requirements, loan terms, and related legal and real estate documents.

Requirements

Nine (9) years of combined experience and/or education in real estate financing and contracting transactions, related mortgage security and legal documents (such as deeds of trust, promissory notes, restrictive covenants, assignment agreements, and priority & subordination agreements), and loan terms including preparing and revising amortization schedules or focus in two or more of the following areas:
Experience with preparing, amending, and/or analyzing government contracts
Law degree and/or legal experience in real estate development and financing transactions.
Demonstrated understanding of affordable housing finance, including layered financing using private and public funds, tax credits, and partnership structures
Demonstrated understanding and experience in negotiating with real estate developers, title officers, escrow agents, financial institutions, attorneys, housing authorities, single asset entities, and nonprofit affordable housing providers.
Two (2) of the nine (9) years must include supervising one or more employees including hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action.
Education involves finance housing, business, public administration or related field.
Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.
Ability to foster professional development through mentoring and training staff, and other job growth opportunities.
Ability to openly and honestly communicate and actively engage co-workers, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Ability to identify and implement changes necessary to streamline and standardize processes, improve administrative efficiency and effectiveness, and enhance customer services.
Ability to apply excellent interpersonal communication skills and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to manage and work with diverse personalities, styles, and cultures.
Ability to effectively communicate, analyze, and weigh the risks versus benefits in decisions and recommendations related to real estate finance and contract negotiations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs, such as HOME, Community Development Block Grant, and the National Housing Trust Fund.
Demonstrated experience with real estate contracts and transactions, such as subordination and priority agreements, deeds of trust, covenants, and property liens.
Demonstrated experience with writing and implementing policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Leads the full life cycle of state HTF and federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund loans and grants, including developing, reviewing, preparing, and negotiating all MHU contracts (capital financing contracts, operating grants, services contracts, intergovernmental agreements, promissory notes, priority & subordination agreements, deeds of trust, restrictive covenants, etc.).
Leads the development and implementation of all contract and legal document templates, work methods, information systems, policies and procedures to ensure program and legal standards are met and the state’s investments will be protected.
Assigns contracts, maintains reports and tracking log of all activity and closing dates, ensures deadlines are met, and provides quality assurance of all contract-related activities.
Works with contractors, attorneys, title company officers, public and private funders, and housing developers to complete and administer MHU’s legal and security documents.
Negotiates and coordinates with MHU’s legal counsel, contractors and their legal counsel, and other project funders to resolve conflicts between state and other public and private investors’ legal and financial interests.
Develops and recommends contracting policies of statewide impact under the HTF and the federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs.
Oversees the development, negotiation and execution of contracts, totaling approximately $100 million per year (on average).
Provides consultative and advanced technical business assistance to contractors, other public agencies, and agency executive management in affordable housing contracts and legal document development.
Oversees and manages quality management of document tracking, retention, and imaging system requirements.
Provides guidance to MHU staff on the use of data and imaging systems.
Coordinates and tracks necessary legal review with Commerce Contracts Manager, Commerce Auditor, and Commerce Assistant Attorney General.
Supervises a team of professional contract staff.
Delegates workload responsibilities and assignments to staff.
Encourages and provides regular feedback, coaching, development and guidance to staff.
Evaluates staff performance and addresses performance concerns as necessary.
Recommends corrective and/or disciplinary actions to the Deputy Managing Director.
Manages staff mandatory training requirements ensuring timely completion.
Performs all aspects of the hiring process while ensuring all agency hiring procedures are followed and requirements are fulfilled in coordination with Human Resources.
Performs advanced analysis and interpretation of current legislation, state and federal regulations, legal issues, contract terminology and industry practices, and draft contract language and policies, related to program contracts and other legal documents related to real estate and housing finance transactions.
Consults with Assistant Attorney General, Special Assistant Attorney General, and the Commerce Contracts Manager on complex contracting issues and ensures the protection of Commerce interests when negotiating, preparing, and executing legal documents pertaining to MHU projects.
Ensures cross-team coordination within the MHU teams, as well as within HD, Commerce, and with external stakeholders, on matters related to contract development, administration and accountability.
Coordinates and resolves conflicts of priority between staff, program, and activities.