Senior Manager - Service Strategy, Policy, and Community Investments

The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences.

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.

The Adult Services Division (ASD) of DCHS works in partnership with communities to develop, support, and provide human services programs focused on achieving results in housing stability, financial stability, healthy living, and social engagement for veterans, service members, and their families; older adults and their caregivers; and other resilient communities. The division's work also includes efforts to strengthen connections within and improve access to the human services system.
  
ASD manages and provides equity-focused stewardship of revenue from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), the RCW 73.08 veterans relief fund and King County general fund-funded human services programs. ASD also supports the King County VSHSL Advisory Board, the King County Veterans Advisory Board, and the King County Women's Advisory Board. King County is an active partner in King County's Area Agency on Aging.

An ASD Senior Manager – Service Strategy, Policy, and Community Investments leads high-impact work across service strategy, community investment program design, provider contracting, policy development, and public fund stewardship.

This role serves as a leader of a staffing unit and is responsible for overseeing a large and complex portfolio of human services investments and service delivery strategies. The position manages Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and oversees resulting contracts. This includes contract development, certification, management, compliance, provider technical assistance. The role also includes the development and/or implementation of related policies and practices to ensure ASD programs and contracts following specified requirements while also being accountable and responsive to community needs and stakeholder input.

Under this recruitment, ASD will fill two career service roles:

• Adults and Caregivers Policy Senior Manager – Projects focused on serving older adults and their caregivers, and members of resilient communities: Leads strategy, solicitation planning, contract development, provider coordination, implementation, risk management, compliance, staff supervision, and continuous improvement for ASD’s non-veteran contracted investment portfolio.

• Veterans Initiatives & Policy Senior Manager – Projects focused on serving veterans, service members, and their families: Leads strategy, solicitation planning, contract development, provider coordination, implementation, risk management, compliance, staff supervision, and continuous improvement for ASD’s veterans-related direct service programs and contracted investment portfolio.

Each year, ASD invests more than $65 million through over 500 agreements, including community services contracts, Memoranda of Agreement, Letters of Agreement, and other funding tools. This work requires close coordination across contracting and procurement, fiscal, legal, performance measurement and evaluation, communications, policy, program operations, community engagement, providers, and other County partners.

The work is highly visible, financially significant, and directly tied to the County’s responsibility to steward public funds and deliver services to older adults, caregivers, veterans, service members and their families, resilient communities, and other priority populations.

Depending on the assignment, this role may supervise unit or program managers and oversee teams of approximately 25 employees responsible for planning, contract development, certification, compliance, monitoring, and administration. The work supports ASD’s five result areas: Housing Stability, Healthy Living, Financial Stability, Social Engagement, and Service System Access and Improvement.

This Senior Manager also serves as a strategic advisor to division and department leaders, resolves complex implementation issues, manages risk, develops policy and procedural solutions, and leads improvements that strengthen ASD’s contracting, procurement, compliance, and investment stewardship systems.

The non-veteran role reports to the Chief of Community Investments and Provider Supports. The veteran role reports to the Chief of Veterans Initiatives and Direct Service Strategies. Both roles also have matrixed responsibilities to the ASD Division Director and Deputy Director.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around October 5th, 2026.

APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
 The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

This selection process may also be used to create a pool of candidates for current and future career service, term-limited-temporary, and special duty opportunities.  The pool will be active for 6 months.   

WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS:
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

MISSION CRITICAL POSITION STATUS: This position has been designated Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

RECRUITER: Alan Wedge, [email protected]

Leadership, Project Governance, and Staff Development — 20%

• Provide senior-level leadership, supervision, and project governance for assigned teams and program areas.
• Supervise, coach, train, and evaluate unit managers and staff, which may include oversight of up to approximately 25 employees.
• Lead a large, complex, multi-phase portfolio of work involving contract development, procurement support, certification, compliance, monitoring, risk management, quality control, and implementation support.
• Set priorities, clarify roles and responsibilities, manage competing timelines, and ensure deliverables meet Division, Department, County, and fund source requirements.
• Oversee staff development, quality control reviews, and contract-related training to strengthen accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and work quality.
• Lead matrixed project teams and cross-functional work groups that include ASD staff, department partners, fiscal staff, procurement specialists, PME staff, communications staff, and program subject matter experts.

Strategy and Contract Development, Project Implementation, and Compliance — 20%

• Oversee program strategy design and the full contract development, certification, and administration process for ASD’s large-scale community investment portfolio.
• Ensure contracts, solicitations, waivers, MOAs, monitoring tools, and related documents comply with Division, Department, County, State, and fund source requirements.
• Manage complex timelines, certification workflows, risk issues, quality standards, and budget considerations.
• Identify and resolve implementation barriers, recommend solutions to senior leaders and stakeholders, and maintain documentation that supports audit readiness, public accountability, and sound decision-making.
• Lead contractor risk assessments, monitoring plans, desk reviews, corrective action strategies, and compliance improvement efforts.
• Establish acceptance criteria, performance expectations, and documentation standards to ensure contracted services and deliverables meet public benefit, allowable use, and stewardship requirements.

Strategic Planning, Risk Management, and Continuous Improvement — 15%

• Lead division and team-level quality improvement projects that strengthen ASD’s contracting, monitoring, procurement, and compliance systems.
• Use LEAN, project management, and continuous improvement methods to define problems, identify root causes, manage change, and evaluate results.
• Coordinate complex, multi-phase improvement efforts across business operations and department partners.
• Improve contract certification workflows, risk assessment tools, monitoring protocols, procurement practices, provider documentation requirements, and internal review processes.
• Research and recommend strategies, policies, procedures, and project controls that improve procurement practices, reduce administrative barriers, support equitable provider access, and align investments with Division and County goals.
• Develop project charters, work plans, risk mitigation plans, schedules, performance measures, and implementation tools for major process improvement initiatives.

Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, and Cross-Agency Integration — 15%

• Co-lead collaboration with internal and external partners, including Operations, Veterans Services, Policy and Community Engagement (PaCE), Contracting and Procurement, Fiscal, PME, Communications, legal partners, providers, contractors, and department offices.
• Coordinate across agencies, divisions, and business functions to resolve complex contracting, procurement, fiscal, compliance, and implementation issues.
• Support consultations, business negotiations, outreach, technical assistance, presentations, briefings, and workshops for providers, contractors, senior leaders, and community audiences.
• Navigate competing priorities among internal teams, providers, fund source requirements, community expectations, and County leadership.
• Communicate complex technical, financial, regulatory, and operational information clearly to support decision-making in a politically sensitive environment.

Policy Development, Compliance Strategy, and Senior Advisory Support — 15%

• Serve as a senior subject matter expert and advisor to the Division Director, Deputy Director, Chiefs, and other senior leaders on contracting rules, procurement options, cost considerations, compliance risks, and public fund stewardship.
• Develop interim policies, guidance, procedures, tools, and decision frameworks to close gaps, improve consistency, and support compliance.
• Analyze legislation, policy changes, audit findings, fund source requirements, and operational risks affecting ASD’s investment portfolio.
• Support disaster response, continuity planning, and service continuity strategies for contracted human services.
• Serve as a senior subject matter expert on contract management, procurement alignment, risk mitigation, and responsible stewardship of public funds.

Data Analysis, Reporting, Performance Measurement, and Documentation — 15%

• Analyze contract, monitoring, risk, certification, procurement, and investment data to support decision-making.
• Prepare reports, briefings, performance summaries, and project documentation for leadership, partners, providers, and stakeholders.
• Establish success measures, acceptance criteria, performance indicators, and reporting methods.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable project records, contract files, monitoring documents, and decision records.
• Use documentation and performance information to support program design, budget management, compliance review, performance measurement, and capacity building.

Candidate will bring at least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in contract or grant administration, including three (3) years in a supervisory role. 

Experience must include contract administration, budget management, and direction or administration of public programs or services, with at least three (3) years of professional-level experience involving four (4) or more of the following:

• Develop and carry out compliance and risk management strategies, including improvements to internal controls, practices, and procedures.
• Design and evaluate services or programs that require significant organizational resources.
• Design and evaluate solicitation strategies, procurement processes, and contracting practices.
• Develop and manage organization-wide policies and procedures.
• Lead major process improvements, including compliance frameworks, desk reviews, risk assessments, and corrective action plans.
• Work with public policy, legislative processes, or local, state, or federal government systems.
• Apply local, state, and federal contracting laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Provide technical or specialized training to professional staff.
• Lead change management and continuous improvement efforts for a range of audiences and stakeholders.
• Apply or lead equity-focused practices in contracting, workforce development, or organizational operations.

Desired Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• A Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school, which may substitute for two years of required experience
• A Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field may substitute for one year of experience
• Additional relevant experience or certifications may substitute for up to two years of education (30 semester or 45 quarter units equals one year), such as coursework or professional experience in accounting or audit practices
• Candidates with or demonstrating commitment to obtaining a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) or other contract management credential within six (6) months of hire are highly encouraged to apply.
• Direct experience with grant and contracting policies and procedures that pertain to governmental/public agencies
• Direct experience in health and human services programs
• Experience managing and evaluating the performance of social impact investments for public benefit
• Demonstrated success writing and monitoring results-oriented contracts, fund source reports, briefing papers, and presenting complex data and financial information
• Experience working with human services programs in grant and contract administration
• Experience implementing and adhering to laws, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting seniors and their caregivers, veterans and their families, or resilient communities – including communities of color, immigrant and refugee populations, LGBTQ+ communities, and low-income residents.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Alan Wedge at [email protected].

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.