Deputy Director, Contracts & Acquisitions

At the State of Ohio we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits visit ourTotal Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off including vacation personal sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth Adoption and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds Public Service Loan Forgiveness and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS STRS SERS and HPRS)&Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Who We Are

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands-on dedicated way. You can make a difference in someones world!

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented diverse and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.

ADA Notice

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process please contact .

Background check information

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Some positions may require drug testing and/or fingerprinting. Criminal convictions do not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39) and as outlined in the posting.

Office of Contracts & Acquisitions (OCA)

The Office of Contracts and Acquisitions (OCA) is housed within the Office of Legal and Acquisition Services and has the expertise and authority for creating agreements and contracts and overseeing the acquisition of goods and services for ODJFS. The mission of OCA is to meet and maintain the highest level of compliance with Federal and State laws rules policies and procedures for acquisitions and contracting for ODJFS and to establish and maintain public trusts and confidence in the stewardship of taxpayer funds. Learn more about the Office by visiting theODJFS OCA webpage.

What You Will Do

In this role you will lead a team of acquisition experts and drive the strategic management of ODJFS contracts and procurement activities. Your leadership will ensure efficiency compliance and long-term success through responsibilities such as:

• Assist Executive Leadership in defining agency goals and objectives.
• Direct operations within the Contracts and Acquisitions office.
• Oversee all contract activity where the agency has a direct operational interest or is a major stakeholder.
• Exercise fiscal oversight regarding approvals issuances strategies and services for all ODJFS contracts grants and interagency agreements.
• Manage purchasing and asset management activities and serve as the primary ODJFS liaison to the Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Office of Information Technology (OIT) and Department of Administrative Services (DAS) on related matters.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations and eligibility criteria for receipt of federal funding.
• Research and develop long-term strategies for contract administration purchasing and asset management; represent the agency in meetings with legislators state officials and county officials regarding ODJFS contract and acquisition administration.

Potential Challenges of the Job

OCA operates in an extremely fast-paced environment with numerous competing priorities driven by the thousands of purchase orders and contracts processed each state fiscal year. The workload intensifies from early May through late August when fiscal-year-end and fiscal-year-start activities overlap requiring rapid turnaround and exceptional organizational skills. The team is composed of diverse experts working from distributed locations which adds complexity to coordination and communication. Additionally the role involves working closely with demanding internal customers while ensuring strict compliance with external legal and regulatory requirements. Navigating these dynamics requires resilience adaptability and a strong commitment to accuracy and efficiency.

Necessary Skills

• Demonstrates leadership and strategic management capabilities.

• Extensive experience in procurement contract negotiation and acquisition planning.

• In-depth knowledge of federal and state procurement regulations and fiscal compliance.

• Strong analytical and research skills for interpreting complex contractual and legislative frameworks.

• Advanced communication and interpersonal abilities for engaging with internal teams vendors and high-level stakeholders.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to foster collaboration and resolve conflicts effectively.

• High level of organization and attention to detail in managing multiple priorities.

• Ability to collect organize and report complex information to support critical decision-making.

• Proven experience in overseeing large-scale programs and managing budgets.

• Skilled in resolving disputes and handling inquiries and complaints with professionalism.

• Capable of representing the agency in executive meetings and public forums with diplomacy.

Schedule: Full-time.

Hours: Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Travel: Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

This position (PN: ) is overtime exempt and deemed unclassified per ORC 124.11 (A)(9).

There are no minimum qualifications for this position; however preferred experience and knowledge includes:

• Business or Public Administration or Project Management

• Fiscal Management (e.g. accounting public budgeting and spending)

• Solid communication skills with diverse groups of people

• Ability to handle competing priorities and remain composed in a fast-past environment

• ODJFS programs and policies

• Supervisory/management

Technical & Professional Skills Utilized:

• Executive Leadership

• Visionary and Strategic Thinking

• Organizational Planning

• Establishing Relationships

• Problem Solving/Results Oriented

• Professional Demeanor

Pay Information

Pay is commensurate with experience and education.

Tips For Your Application

When completing the different sections of this application be sure to clearly describe how you meet the preferred qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services activities programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.