Director of Contracts Administration

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

20h

About The Position

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has an immediate opening for a Director of Contracts Administration.
The Director of Contracts Administration is responsible for all policymaking, oversight, and administration related to procurement and contracting of DDS's $2.3B purchased human service programs. The Director is a member of the Department’s senior management team and is responsible for management of the Central Office Contracts Unit and oversight of four regional contract offices.
The Director is responsible for policy making and oversight of all contracts administration and purchasing activities engaged by the Department. The Director works with regional contracts offices to establish policies and best practices for contract administration and ensures compliance with DDS policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations. A critical function of this role is to develop business process efficiencies in contract administration and align contract processes with financial management and strategic modernization goals of the Department.
The Director is also responsible for the oversight of all procurement activity for the Department, ensuring compliance with state finance and procurement laws and adherence to policies and procedures established by the Office of the State Comptroller and Operational Services Division. The Director is responsible for managing procurements through their entire lifecycle. This includes coordinating procurement management teams for all Purchase of Service (POS) procurements, interfacing with operational and programmatic subject matter experts to develop service requirements, aligning procurements with the strategic goals of the Department, and managing procurements through the posting, bid review, and award phases. The Director also oversees all rate development and reviews for POS as required by M.G.L. c 188E.

Requirements

• Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in financial management work (i.e. budgeting, accounting, auditing, management analysis, program evaluation, financial reporting of program results), of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
• A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• A Graduate degree or higher in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
• A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Nice To Haves

• Six (6) years of professional, administrative, and supervisory or management experience in a complex public or private agency is desirable.
• Familiarity with ICMS, FMIS, EIM, MMARS, CLM, and COMMBUYS.
• Knowledge of Operational Services Division procurement rules and regulations and procurement systems.
• In-depth knowledge of agency procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and standards.
• Broad knowledge of contract negotiation policies and practices.
• Understanding of OSD auditing policies and procedures.
• Basic understanding of rate-setting activities and rate review systems and procedures.
• Working knowledge of management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Comprehensive understanding of DDS regulations, policies, procedures, programs, and services.
• Experience with Agile project management methodologies.
• General understanding of training and curriculum design and instructional strategies.
• Proven knowledge of analytical tools and expertise with Excel.
• Ability to manage and coordinate annual contracting/engagement and amendment process.
• Expertise in establishing standards for managing contracts, performance, and quality improvement.
• Capacity to design and implement operational, communication, coordination, and accountability processes.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and use data in problem-solving and process improvement.
• Proven ability to understand, apply and explain pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provides management of the Central Office Contracts Unit.
• Develops policies and procedures for procurement and contract administration and oversees implementation of policies across four regional offices.
• Analyzes the efficacy of current business practices and recommends workflow and system improvements.
• Oversees all POS procurement activity for the department; coordinates procurement management teams for the development of BID/RFRs and manages procurements through full lifecycle.
• Verifies that program standards and other contracting and procurement requirements are developed in a timely manner and RFRs are released on schedule.
• Ensures rate reviews are completed on schedule and rates are developed to address new programs and emerging needs.
• Coordinates the development and ongoing operation of various contract management IT systems that support contract pricing, payment, federal waiver claiming, and oversight/monitoring. Data systems include but are not limited to Financial Management Information System (FMIS), Enterprise Invoice Management (EIM), The Hub, Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS), and other related systems.
• Interprets and implements promulgated regulations and directives issued by oversight agencies including the Operational Services Division (OSD), the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), and the Office of the Comptroller (OSC).
• Oversees staff activities related to the annual requalification of 200+ providers where DDS is the Principal Purchasing Agency.
• Establishes guidelines and standards for the qualification of new providers seeking to contract with the Department.
• Generates reports outlining the financial health of DDS providers; monitors Corrective Action Plans and assists the Bureau of Program Integrity with developing responses to audits issued by the Office of the State Auditor.
• Maintains effective communication with oversight agencies, including OSD, EOHHS, and OSC.
• Monitors DDS and statewide contracting rules and use of systems such as MMARS, COMMBUYS, and Contract Life Management; Ensures staff have access to up-to-date reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
• Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director