Deputy Assistant Director - OEDC (WMS 3)

State of Washington•King County - Multiple Locations, WA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places. Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact. Let’s build what’s next, together. Within the Department of Commerce, the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC) partners with local, regional, federal and international economic development organizations, businesses, investors, site selectors and other stakeholders to develop, manage and support a range of programs and services designed to create living wage jobs, create economic vitality and strengthen business resilience and growth, particularly those in rural and underserved parts of the state. This position of Deputy Assistant Director serves as a member of the OEDC leadership and management team and fills in for the Assistant Director in their absence, including for semi-regular public speaking events with the business community as the audience. This position leads the internal operations related to OEDC such as HR, budgetary, contractual, and performance management, as well as systems and coordination with all other operational divisions and units at Commerce such as IT, audit, payroll, contracts, and Communications. They also help to oversee management of the full range of business development, export promotion, and international trade development programs designed to strengthen the state’s economy and further position Washington state as a known source for world-class products and services. This position needs to be familiar with all aspects of the agency and OEDC and it maintains relationships internally and externally that allow the position to make day-to-day decisions with a high degree of independence.

Requirements

Ten (10) years of combined experience and education.
Minimum of five (5) or more years of experience in Government administration or administration of programming with governmental resources, Trade promotion (attended trade fairs) and/or economic development experience (business support and/or technical assistance), or leadership of a profitable business.
Minimum of two (2) or more years of supervisory experience.
Any combination of two or more of the following: Experience managing complex budgets which include multiple fund sources, Implementing executive and legislative policies and make internal policy decisions with large-scale implications, Strategic Leadership and Planning, Working with a wide range of stakeholders.
Education involves business, finance or public administration or closely aligned fields.
Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with all aspects of the agency and OEDC.
Ability to make day-to-day decisions with a high degree of independence.
Experience with public speaking events.
Experience with HR, budgetary, contractual, and performance management.
Experience with systems and coordination with IT, audit, payroll, contracts, and Communications.
Experience managing the full range of business development, export promotion, and international trade development programs.
Experience in developing and maintaining strong partnerships.
Experience participating in statewide, regional, and federal economic development strategies.
Experience collaborating with associations, state agencies, local governments, and other partners on economic development activities.
Experience providing guidance on the state’s role in funding critical economic development projects.
Experience in holding inclusive staff meetings.
Experience in managing performance and conducting evaluations.
Experience providing leadership, oversight, and direction to supervisors and program staff.
Experience with outreach that builds strong working relationships with Associate Development Organizations, the business community, and other stakeholders.
Experience using sound management principles, results- and data-driven operations, customer-focused service, and clear accountability.
Experience establishing results-based performance expectations, setting priorities, and conducting timely, meaningful evaluations.
Experience leading, coaching, mentoring, and training staff.
Experience planning for, attracting, acquiring, and retaining high-quality talent.
Experience maintaining the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct.
Experience supporting the state’s goals for a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Experience analyzing policy proposals.
Experience leading rulemaking activities.
Experience ensuring adherence to agency, state, and federal rules and regulations.
Experience contributing to agency-wide policy setting.
Experience maintaining professional relationships with other divisions, state agencies, and the Governor’s Office on matters related to economic development.
Experience speaking on behalf of the Assistant Director and the agency at legislative hearings and public events.
Experience exercising independent judgment in decisions related to policy and program implementation.
Experience leading cross-divisional collaborations that support statewide economic development activities.
Experience developing program performance and outcome measures used to inform biennial budgets and work plans.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership for OEDC by setting and managing the division’s strategic plan, operational goals, and internal controls in coordination with the Assistant Director, establishing specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound (SMART) goals that align with the division’s broader direction, and serving as appointing authority in the Assistant Director’s absence.
Supports effective communication across the organization and contributes to cross-divisional initiatives by providing leadership and resources that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Plans, organizes, directs, and delegates the work of OEDC staff to ensure resources are allocated and managed effectively for grantees and client groups.
Ensures compliance with federal and state financial policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines, including audit requirements and performance standards, while maintaining strong internal controls and operational oversight to support the division’s mission and the agency’s strategic objectives.
Sets the strategic direction for OEDC’s programs by managing financial resources within established allotments and identifying external funding opportunities that support the division’s mission.
Distributes economic development programming in alignment with state policy priorities, ensuring that all contracts comply with agency, state, and federal requirements.
Oversees division operations within authorized budgets, maintaining strong fiscal stewardship and operational alignment across OEDC.
Represents Commerce and OEDC to a wide range of stakeholders by developing and maintaining strong partnerships and participating in statewide, regional, and federal economic development strategies.
Collaborates with associations, state agencies, local governments, and other partners on economic development activities that advance Commerce’s mission.
Provides guidance on the state’s role in funding critical economic development projects and ensures OEDC’s engagement supports strategic priorities, strengthens relationships, and promotes coordinated economic development efforts across Washington.
Oversees the management of division staff by setting clear expectations, understanding the diverse work performed across OEDC, and ensuring that all activities align with the division’s service-oriented approach.
Holds inclusive staff meetings, managing performance, conducting evaluations, and providing leadership, oversight, and direction to supervisors and program staff who deliver financial and technical assistance to businesses and local communities.
Manages and directs staff using sound management principles, results- and data-driven operations, customer-focused service, and clear accountability.
Establishes results-based performance expectations, sets priorities, and conducts timely, meaningful evaluations while leading, coaching, mentoring, and training staff.
Works closely with agency leadership, Human Resources, and employees to plan for, attract, acquire, and retain high-quality talent, maintaining the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct and supporting the state’s goals for a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Develops and analyzes policy proposals originating from division staff, legislation, and internal and external partners, and leads rulemaking activities, including determining when revisions are necessary.
Ensures that all division staff adhere to agency, state, and federal rules and regulations and that associated policies are implemented accurately and with integrity.
Contributes to agency-wide policy setting and maintains professional relationships with other divisions, state agencies, and the Governor’s Office on matters related to economic development.
Speaks on behalf of the Assistant Director and the agency at legislative hearings and public events, exercising independent judgment in decisions related to policy and program implementation.
Leads cross-divisional collaborations that support statewide economic development activities, including policy development and research for economic development programs and projects.
Develops program performance and outcome measures used to inform biennial budgets and work plans.