Senior Contracts Specialist

Description

 

The mission of Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is to radically improve how Washington residents secure health insurance through innovative and practical solutions, an easy-to-use customer experience, our values of integrity, respect, equity and transparency, and by providing undeniable value to the health care community.

The Exchange is a public-private partnership that operates Washington Healthplanfinder, the eligibility and enrollment portal used by one in four Washington residents to obtain health and dental coverage. Through this platform, and with support from a Customer Support Center and statewide network of in-person navigators and brokers, individuals and families can shop, compare and enroll in private, qualified health plans (as defined in the Affordable Care Act) or enroll in Washington Apple Health, the state Medicaid program.

The Exchange embraces the following equity statement adopted by our Board of Directors:

Equity is fundamental to the mission of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The process of advancing toward equity and becoming anti-racist is disruptive and demands vigilance to dismantle deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression. While systemic racism is a root cause of many societal inequities, we must also use an intersectional approach to address all forms of bias and oppression, which interact with and often exacerbate racial inequities. To be successful, we must recognize the socioeconomic drivers of health and focus on people and places where needs are greatest. As we listen to community, we must hold ourselves accountable to responding to recommendations to remedy inequitable policies, systems, or practices within the Exchange’s area of influence. Our goal is that all Washingtonians have full and equal access to opportunities, power and resources to achieve their full potential.

Duties

SUMMARY
This senior-level position reports to the Procurement and Contracts Manager and performs professional procurement and contract administration. Position is responsible for a) formulating, drafting, implementing, and administering complex and involved contracts of high impact to the Exchange; b) working with staff and vendors to identify and resolve performance, compliance, and problem resolution issues; c) providing professional  guidance and mentorship to Exchange purchasers and contract managers; and d) participating in the ongoing identification, development and implementation of contracting and procurement best practices.

THIS PROJECT POSITION HAS AN EXPECTED END DATE OF JUNE 30, 2027.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Follows established contract and procurement regulations, policies, and procedures or, if necessary, obtains special approval to deviate from regulations, policy, or procedures.
•    Initiates complex, high-value competitive procurements, develops specifications and terms, initiates advertising for bids and provides for receipt, evaluation, and award of contracts.
•    Formulates, negotiates, establishes, and administers complex, integrated, high-value contractual arrangements and procurement proposals for a range of products and/or services for the Exchange.
•    Analyzes contracts to determine necessity for amendments or extensions of contracts, and administrative compliance with contractual obligations.
•    Advises departmental divisions and staff members on procedures involved in contracting for goods or services.
•    Provides independent liaison and coordination with contracting principals to ensure compliance with contract specifications and resolution of problems and issues, as they arise; arbitrates claims or complaints occurring in performance of contracts.
•    Analyzes internal and/or contractor requests for deviations from contract specifications and delivery schedules and recommends corrective actions.
•    Analyzes price proposals, financial reports, and other data to determine reasonableness of prices; reviews and interprets contract provisions to achieve cost efficiencies and reductions where feasible.
•    Assesses contractor service value and product/service reliability relative to cost; plans, organizes, and coordinates acquisition alternatives, as appropriate.
•    Reviews and determines contractor performance against contract specifications and takes remedial action, as necessary, up to and including contract termination.
•    Guides and mentors, and reviews work performed by Contracts Specialist and IT Purchasing and Licensing Specialist staff. Provides functional supervision to Contract Specialists, as appropriate.
•    Assist with the formulation, development, implementation, and revision of contracting policies, procedures, and strategies for the unit, as appropriate.
•    Leads in the development and presentation of contract trainings for applicable staff. Works with the Exchange LMS Administrator to ensure trainings are up to date and available in LMS.
•    Identifies and leads in process improvement efforts, as appropriate
•    Maintains the e-Procurement system and develops new functionality as appropriate. 
•    Acts as the site and content owner for the Contracts page on WAHBEHive, ensuring posted information remains accurate and up to date. As requested, supports other Finance Department pages as the site owner.
•    Maintains procurement and contract files in shared drive and e-Procurement system to ensure information is accurate, complete, and up to date.
•    Maintains the Eligibility and Enrollment APD Administration SharePoint site, ensuring contractual documents are posted timely and remains accurate.
•    Prepares a monthly Eligibility and Enrollment contracts report for submission to HCA.
•    Functions as the Procurement and Contracts Manager’s delegate during absence, or as otherwise assigned.
•    Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Required:
•    A bachelor's degree involving major study in public administration, business administration, business law, or closely allied field. Additional qualifying experience may substitute, year for year, for education.
•    Four years’ experience negotiating, administering, and terminating government contracts; contract management; contract cost or price analyses; and contract compliance administration in a State and/or Federal procurement or contracting role.
•    Ability to research, understand and apply regulations, policies and procedures in the preparation of contracts, agreements, etc., business and professional services, practices and trends, sources of supply and cost factors, contract terminology and development.
•    Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
•    Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of clientele.
•    Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
•    Strong communication skills; including written, verbal, non-verbal, listening, and visual.
•    Skill in examining, re-engineering, and developing new or improved operations and procedures.
•    Skill in the formulation, negotiation, and establishment of complex agreements.
•    Organizing and coordinating skills.
•    Knowledge of costing and pricing methodology, including creative cost analysis.
•    Knowledge of contractor compliance issues and procedures, as applicable to the Exchange.
•    Ability to assess contract compliance and product/service quality.
•    Strong interpersonal and leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with external contracting executives at all levels.
Desired:
•    Advanced knowledge of contracting procedures, specifications, and documentation requirements.
•    Conflict resolution and arbitration skills.
•    Designated as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), NIGP-CPP, Certified Contract Manager, or similar accredited certification (or will obtain within one year).

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
This position will be open until we find a suitable number of candidates to review. If interested, please submit an application (click link) with a cover letter as soon as possible. The Exchange reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time. 

SALARY INFORMATION
Full Salary Range: $72,098.00 to $108,146.00 annually, with midpoint at $90,122.00. 

Hiring Range: $82,912.00 and $90122.00 annually. This is an estimate of where a qualified candidate can expect to receive an offer. 

The actual salary offer will consider candidate experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and the market.  Our compensation policy reserves the salary range above the midpoint for employees who are meeting and exceeding expectations and for growth and development, up to the maximum. 


BENEFITS
Take a peek at our benefits package.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Core business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Travel requirements will be limited to local travel, however there may be occasions in which an employee is required to travel and work irregular hours to attend meetings or trainings. Duties of this position require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g. desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.).

The working conditions and physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A criminal background screen will be conducted for candidates under final consideration, and if hired, every five years of employment where highly sensitive data is processed or maintained by the position. The result of this background screen must meet the Exchange’s eligibility standards.
   
OTHER INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.

This is not an employment agreement or contract.  Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We participate in E-Verify. You can view the Department of Justice's Right to Work poster here.

Salary : $72,098 - $108,146