Associate Director, Purchasing Contracts (Pullman, WA)

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State University, within Finance & Operations, seeks an Associate Director of Purchasing Contracts to lead Contract Services, overseeing the University's most strategic procurement, non-procurement, and other contracting activities. You will train and supervise staff, draft and negotiate complex agreements, and ensure legal soundness and timely execution.

You will shape policy, drive process improvements, and provide risk analysis across contract types, while advising senior

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and five years of progressively responsible experience in a related field which has included at least two years of management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to draft, negotiate, and implement complex contracts and purchasing documents.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contractual issues and their application in a complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Contract Services team and oversee the University’s most strategic and complex contracting documents.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize contracts with senior administrative oversight.
• Shape policies, procedures, and process improvements for all contract types and conduct risk analysis.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master’s degree/Law Degree

Tools

Computer proficiency

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

October 19, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

1158-NN_ADMINPRO - Associate Director

Business Title:

Associate Director, Purchasing Contracts (Pullman, WA)

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

Washington State University Finance & Operations is now accepting applications for an Associate Director of Purchasing Contracts. As the Associate Director you will lead the WSU Contract Services team, overseeing the University’s most strategic and complex procurement, non-procurement, revenue-generating, and other contracting documents processed and signed within Finance & Operations. This university-wide responsibility is carried out by training and supervising the contracts team and directly drafting and negotiating the University’s most complex contracts requiring senior administrative oversight. You will be accountable for the quality, timeliness, and legal soundness of the contracts team’s work, including oversight of all contract work — drafting, review, negotiation, amendments, extensions, terminations, and renegotiations — that legally binds the University, while empowering the department to retain ownership of the underlying business decision and terms.

As the Associate Director you will shape the policies, procedures, and process improvements that govern all contract types, and conducts risk analysis for contracts and related processes. As a member of the Procurement & Contract Services senior leadership team, you will advise the Director on priorities and goals for the University’s contracts, overarching agreements, and strategic sourcing agreements, and is accountable for implementing those priorities within Contract Services.

As the incumbent, you will achieve enhanced customer service and compliance related to contracts processing through: 1) education and training; 2) development and deployment of model or template contracts to assist contract staff; 3) collaboration with University departments and colleges in the development and management of contracts; and 4) maintaining custody of contracts processed to ensure full execution and record-keeping for every contract.

Additional Information:

This is a full time ( 100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime exempt.

Monthly Salary: $7,541.56 to $11,795.78 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a related field which has included at least two (2) years of management experience. A Master’s degree in a relevant field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Demonstrated ability to draft, negotiate, and implement complex contracts and purchasing documents.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contractual issues and their application in a complex organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree/Law Degree
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience in problem solving
• Computer proficiency

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College: Finance and Business Services

Department Name: Procurement and Contract Services

Location: Pullman, WA

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/