Deputy Assistant Director - OEDC (WMS 3)

State of Washington; Washington; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Commerce seeks a Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC) in Seattle. This senior role leads internal operations, HR, budgets, contracts, and performance management while guiding cross-divisional coordination.

You will shape strategic plans, manage programs, ensure compliance with policies, oversee staff, and build partnerships with local, state, and federal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Ten years combined experience and education.
• Experience: five or more years in government administration or trade promotion/economic development.
• Two or more years of supervisory experience.
• Combination of two or more of the listed qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for OEDC and SMART goals.
• Manage division budgets and external funding opportunities.
• Represent Commerce to stakeholders and develop partnerships.
• Oversee staff performance, coaching and evaluations.
• Develop policy proposals and lead rulemaking activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Planning

Budget Management

Human Resource Management

Program/Project Management

Analytical Skills

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Decision Making

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Business, finance or public administration degree

Job description

Deputy Assistant Director - OEDC (WMS 3)

At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

Within the Department of Commerce, the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC) partners with local, regional, federal and international economic development organizations, businesses, investors, site selectors and other stakeholders to develop, manage and support a range of programs and services designed to create living wage jobs, create economic vitality and strengthen business resilience and growth, particularly those in rural and underserved parts of the state.

This position of Deputy Assistant Director serves as a member of the OEDC leadership and management team and fills in for the Assistant Director in their absence, including for semi-regular public speaking events with the business community as the audience.

This position leads the internal operations related to OEDC such as HR, budgetary, contractual, and performance management, as well as systems and coordination with all other operational divisions and units at Commerce such as IT, audit, payroll, contracts, and Communications. They also help to oversee management of the full range of business development, export promotion, and international trade development programs designed to strengthen the state’s economy and further position Washington state as a known source for world-class products and services. This position needs to be familiar with all aspects of the agency and OEDC and it maintains relationships internally and externally that allow the position to make day-to-day decisions with a high degree of independence.

This position is based in Seattle - and can follow a hybrid schedule - but is expected to be in the Seattle Commerce office no fewer than 2 days per week.

Leadership

This position provides strategic leadership for OEDC by setting and managing the division’s strategic plan, operational goals, and internal controls in coordination with the Assistant Director, establishing specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound (SMART) goals that align with the division’s broader direction, and serving as appointing authority in the Assistant Director’s absence.

The position supports effective communication across the organization and contributes to cross-divisional initiatives by providing leadership and resources that enhance efficiency and effectiveness. It plans, organizes, directs, and delegates the work of OEDC staff to ensure resources are allocated and managed effectively for grantees and client groups.

The role also ensures compliance with federal and state financial policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines, including audit requirements and performance standards, while maintaining strong internal controls and operational oversight to support the division’s mission and the agency’s strategic objectives.

Budget and Financial Management

In coordination with the Assistant Director, the position sets the strategic direction for OEDC’s programs by managing financial resources within established allotments and identifying external funding opportunities that support the division’s mission.

The position distributes economic development programming in alignment with state policy priorities, ensuring that all contracts comply with agency, state, and federal requirements.

Working closely with the Assistant Director, the role also oversees division operations within authorized budgets, maintaining strong fiscal stewardship and operational alignment across OEDC.

Communication and Partnerships

This position represents Commerce and OEDC to a wide range of stakeholders by developing and maintaining strong partnerships and participating in statewide, regional, and federal economic development strategies.

The position collaborates with associations, state agencies, local governments, and other partners on economic development activities that advance Commerce’s mission.

It provides guidance on the state’s role in funding critical economic development projects and ensures OEDC’s engagement supports strategic priorities, strengthens relationships, and promotes coordinated economic development efforts across Washington.

Staff Management

This position oversees the management of division staff by setting clear expectations, understanding the diverse work performed across OEDC, and ensuring that all activities align with the division’s service-oriented approach. This includes holding inclusive staff meetings, managing performance, conducting evaluations, and providing leadership, oversight, and direction to supervisors and program staff who deliver financial and technical assistance to businesses and local communities. Technical assistance efforts include outreach that builds strong working relationships with Associate Development Organizations, the business community, and other stakeholders.

The position manages and directs staff using sound management principles, results- and data-driven operations, customer-focused service, and clear accountability. It establishes results-based performance expectations, sets priorities, and conducts timely, meaningful evaluations while leading, coaching, mentoring, and training staff.

The Deputy Assistant Director works closely with agency leadership, Human Resources, and employees to plan for, attract, acquire, and retain high-quality talent, maintaining the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct and supporting the state’s goals for a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Develop and Maintain Policies and Procedures

The Deputy Assistant Director develops and analyzes policy proposals originating from division staff, legislation, and internal and external partners, and leads rulemaking activities, including determining when revisions are necessary.

The position ensures that all division staff adhere to agency, state, and federal rules and regulations and that associated policies are implemented accurately and with integrity. As a member of the agency leadership and management team, the Deputy Assistant Director contributes to agency-wide policy setting and maintains professional relationships with other divisions, state agencies, and the Governor’s Office on matters related to economic development.

The role speaks on behalf of the Assistant Director and the agency at legislative hearings and public events, exercising independent judgment in decisions related to policy and program implementation.

The position leads cross-divisional collaborations that support statewide economic development activities, including policy development and research for economic development programs and projects, and develops program performance and outcome measures used to inform biennial budgets and work plans.

Required Education, and Experience

Ten (10) years of combined experience and education as described below:

Experience: must include

• Minimum of five (5) or more years of experience in the following
  1. Government administration or administration of programming with governmental resources
  2. Trade promotion (attended trade fairs) and/or economic development experience (business support and/or technical assistance), or leadership of a profitable business.
• Minimum of two (2) or more years of supervisory experience

And any combination of two or more of the following:

• Experience managing complex budgets which include multiple fund sources
• Implementing executive and legislative policies and make internal policy decisions with large-scale implications
• Strategic Leadership and Planning
• Working with a wide range of stakeholders

Education

involves business, finance or public administration or closely aligned fields. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify

• 10 years of experience
• 9 years of experience and 1 year of education
• 8 years of experience and 2 years of education
• 7 years of experience and 3 years of education
• 6 years of experience and 4 years of education
• 5 years of experience and 5 years of education
• 4 years of experience and 6 years of education

Required Position Competencies

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion - Collaborates with and involves others with divergent viewpoints, as well as diverse people and groups, contributing to developing an environment that is equitable, inclusive, respectful and cooperative. Demonstrates a commitment to learning about and advancing environmental and climate justice initiatives.
• Communication– key in this role because of the duties of drafting correspondence, planning events, expressing ideas, dealing at a peer level with colleagues as well as superiors and external stakeholders. Keeping division management informed of key issues and activities regarding the operations of the division, active participation in departmental and division meetings.
• Decision Making – must be able use sound judgment to make decisions that directly affect programs. Must also be able to make decisions as issues arise that keep a project moving and on the right track.
• Interpersonal Skills – developing strong relationships with the division, agency and with external partners is important. Building strategic alliances to develop programs and deliver services.
• Leadership– demonstrating good leadership skills is important when working in a peer-to-peer work environment. Demonstrating self-confidence and relating assurance to others will greatly assist in the objectives of this position.
• Planning– is critical in this position. Establishing priorities, working out timelines, identifying potential problems and ways to mitigate or solve them, managing budgets and keeping projects on schedule, within budget and in line with goals are critical elements to this job.
• Human Resource Management – excellent human resource management, administration and leadership are critical to this position. Ability to coach and mentor staff is key. Clear communication of goals and objectives will be necessary for success as well as frequent and regular meetings with all direct reports.
• Program/Project Management – critical skill for this position. Managing programs and projects, ensuring their quality, performance, results and implementation are very important. Making sure resources are used efficiently is also key.
• Analytical Skills – the ability to analyze policies and processes is essential for this position. To analyze and assess multiple situations in a timely and often quick manner leads to good decision making and the ability to make excellent recommendations to superiors and partners.
• Budget Management – excellent budget management is required in this position. Exercising excellent judgment.

To be considered for this position the following are needed

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: [e-mail] - please reference the job number in your message.

This position is based in Seattle with an expectation of a minimum 2 days/week in office. Occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at [e-mail].

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at [e-mail]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.