Associate Director, Purchasing Contracts (Pullman, WA)

Washington State University; United States; On-site; USD 84,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick and vacation leave

Paid holidays

Medical, dental, life and disability保险

Retirement

Deferred compensation

Additional retirement accounts

Training and development

Employee tuition waiver

Job summary

Washington State University seeks an Associate Director of Purchasing Contracts to lead the Contract Services team and manage the university’s most strategic contracting activities.

You will draft, review, negotiate, and oversee complex contracts, ensuring legal soundness and timely processing, while guiding policy improvements and risk analysis across the department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and five years of progressively responsible experience, including at least two years in management.
• Ability to draft, negotiate, and implement complex contracts.
• Knowledge of contractual issues in a complex organization.
• Master’s degree may substitute for up to one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead drafting, review, negotiation, and execution of complex contracts and purchasing documents.
• Oversee contract services staff and ensure timely, legally sound work.
• Shape policies, procedures, and process improvements governing contract types.
• Provide risk analysis and collaborate with departments on contract development.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Risk analysis

Policy development

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Master’s degree or Law Degree preferred

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.

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:

• education and training;
• development and deployment of model or template contracts to assist contract staff;
• collaboration with University departments and colleges in the development and management of contracts;
• 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

• 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
• 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

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.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Location

Pullman, WA

Time Type and Position Term

Full time Position Term: 12 Month

Diversity and Legal Compliance

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/

WSU is Washington's land-grant university with campuses located in Everett, Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver. Additionally, research centers are located throughout the state, extension offices are located in every county in Washington, and online degree programs are offered worldwide. WSU employees promote academic excellence and innovative research that serves the state, nation, and world. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and accountability, continual enhancement of research and educational endeavors are at the core of WSU's strategic priorities. See here for additional information about WSU's statewide locations. View the HRS Benefits website for details on competitive benefits available.