Director, Washington State Department of Commerce

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates qualifications within the starting salary range of $180180 - $227268 annually. Our physical office is located in Olympia WA with the ability to telework. As the Director for the Agency you will need to travel to in-person activities meetings and events according to business needs. Additionally the Director shall have a strong in person presence and engagement with staff.

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW 43.330.030 the Director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor with consent of the senate.

As the Director youll serve as a member of the Governors executive cabinet. Youll be relied on for your leadership on community and economic development setting the vision strategy and direction for work that strengthens communities across Washington.

Youll lead the stewardship of more than $9 billion in state and federal investments each biennium and oversee a diverse portfolio of more than 400 programs and 8000 contracts focused on housing infrastructure clean energy economic development and community services. With responsibility for an agency of approximately 800 employees youll ensure programs are delivered effectively equitably and in alignment with the Governors priorities legislative direction and federal requirements.

Serving as a trusted advisor to the Governor and Legislature youll represent the agency with Tribal governments local governments businesses labor organizations federal partners and other stakeholders. This highly visible role requires strong executive judgment collaboration and political awareness to advance Washingtons position as a national and global leader in community and economic development.

Why work for the Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce is the states lead agency for community and economic development uniquely positioned to touch nearly every aspect of how communities grow and thrive.

The agency works in close collaboration with local governments Tribal nations businesses nonprofits and civic leaders throughout the state. Through these partnerships Commerce helps communities build resilient economies address housing and infrastructure needs support businesses and workers and promote sustainable inclusive growth so all residents have the opportunity to prosper.

Commerce is organized into the following administrations whose leaders report directly to the Director:

• Housing
• Energy
• Local Government
• Economic Development
• Community Services

Duties

In this role youll administer the activities of the department in accordance with RCW 43.330.050.

What youll work on

• Set the agencys vision strategy and priorities and lead day-to-day operations to deliver high-quality efficient services statewide.
• Ensure effective stewardship of agency resources and position the agency to meet emerging community and economic development challenges.
• Foster a collaborative mission-driven culture that strengthens partnerships with local governments tribes businesses and civic leaders.
• Lead and support a diverse high-performing executive leadership team.
• Advance diversity equity and inclusion by embedding equity considerations into agency programs policies and decision-making.
• Serve on the Governors Executive Cabinet and advise the Governor and Legislature on community and economic development issues.
• Represent and advocate for the agency and the Governor with the Legislature Tribal governments local and federal partners and other key stakeholders.

What we need you to bring

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced graduate degree with a major study in economics community development public administration public policy or closely related field andseven years of professional level experience and specialized knowledge and skills listed below:
  • Senior management level experience in managing complex public or private organizations with a wide variety of functions which include working collaboratively with public and private sectors the Governors executive staff legislators local elected officials CEOs of major corporations and private contractors.
  • Extensive experience in multi-faceted budget/cost control (both federal and state monies).
  • Extensive knowledge of divergent as poverty homelessness water and sewer infrastructure alternative energy resources local and state economic development and local state national and international trade.
  • Excellent oral and written communication and public presentation skills in addition to negotiation mediation and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to manage coach inspire and motivate staff and others to accomplish the agencys mission and goals by providing clear direction and positive interpersonal influence.
  • Ability to lead organize and energize staff through large-scale systemic change to achieve a common goal.

Please Note: Additional years of professional level experience knowledge and skills listed above may substitute for the degree requirement.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Dont let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

What we offer:

We foster a culture of integrity innovation inclusion and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Heres a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity equity inclusion and belonging
• Medical Dental Vision and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays 14 paid vacation days (minimum) and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you submit your application a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying please call 7-1-1 or 1-.

When completing your application you must attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information. Note: References will not be contacted until youve been notified.

Questions:

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process please email us at .

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural racial ethnic sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women racial and ethnic minorities persons of disability persons over 40 years of age and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.