Deputy Director, Contracts

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 the ODJFS 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 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.

Organization
Job & Family Services

Agency Contact Name and Information

Unposting Date
Dec 28, 2025, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location
James A Rhodes Office Tower 31

Primary Location
United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation
Pay is commensurate with experience and education.

Schedule
Full-time

Classified Indicator
Unclassified

Union
Exempt from Union

Primary Job Skill
Executive Leadership

Technical Skills
Executive Leadership, Program Management

Professional Skills
Attention to Detail, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Delegation, Problem Solving, Verbal Communication

Agency Overview
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 someone's 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.