Director II Budget Contracts and Procurement

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Brief Job Description:

The Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) is seeking a Director of Budget, Contracts and Procurement. This position performs highly advanced (senior-level) budget analysis, and contract administration, including both operational and project work. Duties include leading the development of complex, high-value procurement statements of work (SOW), coordinates the procurement process with HHSC Procurement and Contracting Services staff, oversees contract monitoring, reviews/approves budgets, and major expenditures, ensures that requirements of funding sources are met.

Key responsibilities consist of developing processes and procedures to provide oversight and guidance to TPI agency and external partners, overseeing budget and fiscal management activities related to project or program budgets, creating SOWs, conducting contract monitoring activities, assessing the work of HHS agency and external partners to achieve contract management goals, and building relationships with partner agencies and external vendors to ensure collaborative and coordinated efforts. The role also involves exercising sound judgment in making critical decisions, interpreting state and federal laws, rules, and regulations to ensure all tasks are performed accurately and in compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and HHSC policies and standards.

Additionally, the position involves developing, overseeing, and implementing organizational process improvements and making recommendations to enhance the consistency, accountability, and effectiveness of SOW development, contract management, budget and operational functions. May supervise the work of others. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EJF1. Studies and analyzes operations and prepares reports of findings and recommendations. Drafts annual reports on the work and findings of TPI contracts and procurements. Maintains data and the collection and maintenance of data for the purposes of reporting on the TPI contract performance measures, as well as annual reporting on TPI contract management issues and improvements. Develops systems and processes for the collection and maintenance of data. Develops short-term and long-term strategies and goals for the administration of assigned contracts. (25%).

EJF2. Actively engages with stakeholders in all TPI procurements and contract management functions. Leads TPI in the development of complex procurements, managing active procurements and contract management in coordination with TPI Executives and HHSC Procurement and Contracting Services staff. Serves as the TPI principal contract liaison between agency management, contractors, and other customers. Coordinates and prepares responses to issues, inquiries, and other correspondence concerning SOWs, procurements, and contracts for TPI. (25%).

EJF3. Initiates, manages, and performs contract management and monitoring activities. Determines if templates, procedures, and monitoring plans follow HHSC agency policies and applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Examines and analyzes operations, internal control structures and systems, and files for reliability, adequacy, accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with contract and legal regulations. Resolves non-compliance issues by investigating and resolving contract-related discrepancies and complaints and disputes between parties. Evaluates system and process controls to ensure reliable validation of deliverables. Oversees the operations and activities of contract performance including maintaining contract budgets, financial cost analysis and processing invoices for prompt payments following HHSC policies. Coordinates and communicates, with legal services, TPI staff, other state agencies and external entities to identify needs, resolve problems, and monitor and discuss effectiveness of procurements and contracts. (20%).

EJF4. Studies and analyzes operations and prepares reports of findings and recommendations. Drafts annual reports on the work and findings of TPI contracts and procurements. Maintains data and the collection and maintenance of data for the purposes of reporting on the TPI contract performance measures, as well as annual reporting on TPI contract management issues and improvements. Develops systems and processes for the collection and maintenance of data. (20%).

EJF5. Manages and supports special projects/reports for TPI, both on an ad hoc and recurring basis, and directs the activities of staff involved in the development and implementation of special projects. Develops executive briefing documents, reports, and memoranda. Performs other duties as assigned. (5%)

EJF6. During the legislative session, contributes to the review and analysis of legislation in coordination with General Counsel and preparation of estimates for legislative fiscal notes. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• State of Texas budget, procurement and contracting laws, rules, and procedures, including the State of Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide and HHS Procurement and Contract Management Handbook.
• Accounting, budgetary, and management principles, practices, and procedures; forecasting methodologies; legislative appropriations request and annual operating budget processes; automated accounting, budgeting, and forecasting programs; and performance measurement and reporting.
• Contract management principles and practices.
• Business process improvement methodologies.

Skill in:

• Complex SOW development and contract monitoring.
• Evaluating complex processes, systems, policies, issues, statutes, rules, and procedures.
• Developing and drafting policies, procedures, training resources, guides, and templates.
• Cross-functional coordination and problem-solving.
• Effectively communicating complex information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to diverse audiences.

Ability to:

• Direct and organize project activities, working both independently and within teams to support critical business functions.
• Develop, interpret, and implement policies and procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with management, as well as internal and external customers.
• Develop and execute new programs and initiatives.
• Follow direction and engage in learning.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Must have either CTCM or CTCD certification.
• Dual CTCM/CTCD preferred.
• Must obtain dual CTCM/CTCD certification within 12 months.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Three years' experience in any combination of budget, procurement and contract monitoring required. Experience at a senior level preferred.
• Experience in budget, procurement and contract monitoring with a State of Texas agency preferred.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university required. Major coursework in public or business administration, or a related field, is preferred. Related experience may be substituted for education on a one-to-one year basis.
• Experience with HHSC’s Centralized Accounting Payroll/Personal System (CAPPS) Financials module preferred.
• Experience with legislative appropriations requests, fiscal notes, analyses of legislation preferred.
• Experience with HHSC’s System of Contract Operation and Reporting (SCOR) preferred.
• Experience in cross-divisional or interagency collaboration preferred.
• Experience supervising staff preferred.

Additional Information:

The Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative is a new initiative administratively attached to HHSC. Its organizational structure may change, and the position may have the opportunity to train, lead, assign, and prioritize the work of others, potentially serving in a team lead capacity.

This is a hybrid position located in Austin, Texas, with the potential to be full-time telework at the discretion of the direct supervisor and the business need.

The position requires attending TPI Board meetings and other in-person meetings in Austin, Texas.

The posted salary reflects the salary range allowable by state law. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.