Operational Support Manager (WMS Band 2)

Buildwa; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness programs

Flexible working conditions

Job summary

An agency in Washington State is seeking an Operational Support Manager in Olympia, WA. This role involves overseeing contracting and procurement processes, managing a team, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Candidates should have experience in government contracts administration and demonstrate strong negotiation skills. This position promotes a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years experience in government contracts administration.
• Experience in managing diverse teams and complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage agency-wide contracting and procurement programs.
• Provide consultation and advice on multi-dimensional issues.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Contract management

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

WSLCB Vision

Safe communities for Washington State.

Mission

Promote public safety, public health and trust through fair administration, education, and enforcement of liquor, cannabis, tobacco, and vapor laws.

This recruitment is open until filled. First review of applications will be November 24th, 2025 – please submit an application on or before November 23rd, 2025. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible.

This position is currently eligible to telework. This position will be required to work in the office at least 1 day per week or more as needed. This may change based on business needs.

Who we are

The mission of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is to promote public safety and trust through fair administration, education and enforcement of liquor, cannabis, tobacco, and vapor laws. We search for people who demonstrate a strong work ethic, excellence in customer service, partnering and teamwork, and quality performance.

We want to create a culture that fosters excellence in customer service, open and honest communication, transparency and accountability, data driven decisions, and business-initiated process improvement.

Our commitment to DEIB

The WSLCB strives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of our work. This includes a commitment to our workforce and external stakeholders. We are committed to building an inclusive environment that recognizes, respects, and celebrates diversity in the workplace and the community we serve. As a WSLCB team member, you will have opportunities to join statewide business resource groups such as Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network; Veteran Employee Resource Group; Latino Leadership Network; Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity; Disability Inclusion Network; Washington Immigrant Network; Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting an Empowerment Network; Supporting our Voices, Empowering Rights, and Engaging Indigenous Governance; and Interagency Committee of State Employees Women.

Your opportunity at a glance

The WSLCB Finance Division is announcing an exciting opportunity for an Operational Support Manager (WMS Band 2) position in Olympia, WA. This is a Washington Management Service (WMS) Band 2 position that reports to the Chief Finance Officer.

This position is responsible for managing, directing, and providing oversight to the Operational Support staff and overseeing the daily operations of the Agency that includes Headquarters Reception, Workplace Safety and Security, Building Management, Business Services, Agency Asset Management and Inventory, Agency Transportation and Fleet Management, Agency Process Improvement and administering the agency's Contracting and Procurement functions. The role is the primary liaison with internal customers on implementation of, and compliance to ensure alignment with policies and best practices and has significant influence on the outcomes of defined services and uses independent judgment in resolving complex problems where precedents are not always clear.

If you have an interest in administering contacts, procurement and facility management for an agency with a focus on process improvement, we encourage you to apply to be a part of the WSLCB team!

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package (but not limited to Medical/Dental/Vision, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance etc.)
• Paid Vacation, Leave, and Holidays
• Tuition Waiver (in courses at state universities/colleges on a space availability basis – all or a portion of the tuition/fees may be waived for state employees)
• Tuition reimbursement (courses taken with prior approval to further employee’s career development with the WSLCB)
• Training and career development programs (including online courses and LinkedIn Learning)
• A healthy work/life balance (this may include flexible/alternative work schedules and telework/remote work opportunities, when possible)
• Employee Assistance Program – confidential program created to promote the health, safety and well‑being of public service employees
• Generous wellness program (we offer reimbursements for certain fitness related activities)
• Onsite exercise facility (for employees working at WSLCB Headquarter Building in Olympia)
• Infants at Work Program to promote parent and infant bonding, parental well‑being and healthy infant development. Depending on your job duties, work location and supervisor approval, eligible employees who are new mothers, fathers or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when they return to work
• Free parking

Duties

• Develop and administer agency‑wide program of contracting and procurement to ensure compliance with RCW 39.26.
• Work with the CFO, strategize projects and process improvement efforts to improve consistency of practice, interpretation, compliance, risk minimization and adherence to applicable and new legal requirements and to minimize litigation exposure in the complex evolving field of law.
• Provide professional and technical consultation and advice to a spectrum of agency employees from executive management to individual line staff regarding complex, multi‑dimensional issues that affect the diverse divisions, programs, policies, organizations, and/or jurisdictions across the agency.
• Develop and conduct training for a variety of audiences, including senior leadership, managers, agency staff, and agency coordinators across the agency for Operational Support processes and procedures.
• Ensure that existing policies are reviewed in a timely manner and updated when appropriate. Facilitate the development and execution of new policies when internal policy need requires. Coordinate administrative and executive policy and procedure development, including participation in creating, reviewing, and editing all agency‑level policies.
• Manage a team of contract professionals who are responsible for delivering contracting support service work at all organizational levels. Recruit, develop, and train the necessary staff to deliver consistently effective and efficient contracting support services.
• Ensure all contracts are enforceable, that proper rules of competition are followed, and that post‑award controls are in place to monitor active contracts for performance and compliance.
• Serve as the subject‑matter expert on all aspects of contracting, procurement, and support operations. Responsible for developing contracts, templates, guidance messages, briefing memos (verbal and written), and other materials compliant with complex state, federal, and third‑party legal requirements, aligning with agency objectives and articulating and mitigating adverse risk using plain language.
• Oversee and/or deliver effective contracts and procurement‑related training on a recurring basis and act as policy and procedure owner for agency contracting policies. Conduct policy, procedure, and template document maintenance as needed and in partnership with agency staff and complete review of assigned fiscal notes, decision packages, and/or agency request legislation. Provide both technical and policy‑related feedback.
• Ensure Liquor and Cannabis Board facilities are secure, workplaces are safe, and the agency is prepared for emergencies by managing the day‑to‑day leadership and management of the following programs: Workplace Safety, Facility Leasing, Building Management, Business Services, and the Reception Desk.
• Oversee the managing and leading all facilities planning, both short‑term and long‑range planning activities. Coordinate with facility lessors, inter‑agency coordination with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and Department of Enterprise Services (DES) to ensure the proper management and execution of all planning elements.
• Ensure building leases are executed on‑time and the agency receives the best deal possible that serves the operating needs of our staff. Negotiate and work with landlords and contractors to ensure all facilities are in top working order. Work with the Department of Enterprise Services (DES)/Real Estate Services (RES) on tenant improvements where applicable, and with OFM on authorizations, the management of the modified pre‑design process, and facility inventories.
• Manage agency fleet services, and building management, by contributing to increased conservation and alternative energy by ensuring agency vehicles are fuel efficient and available for use and building locations and upgrades are conducted with the goal of energy efficiency.
• Oversee management of assets, fleet, and sustainability activities, measure agency progress toward agency and statewide requirements and objectives and provide expert‑level consultation and recommendations to executive management.

Required Qualifications

Experience for required qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment and educational experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1: At least seven (7) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration, and experience managing or supervising staff.

Option 2: An Associate's degree involving a major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely allied field AND at least five (5) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration, and experience managing or supervising staff.

Option 3: A Bachelor's degree or higher involving a major study in business administration, public administration, business law, commerce, mathematics, statistics, economics, or closely related field AND at least three (3) years of experience in negotiating, administering or terminating government contracts, contract property management, contract cost or price analyses or contract compliance administration, and experience managing or supervising staff.

We encourage you to apply if you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description. At the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Completed online application.
2. Current resume.
3. Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for the position.
4. Three professional references to include a current or recent supervisor with email addresses and phone numbers.

**A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.**

The information provided in your application and supplemental questionnaire must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Other

Applicants for employment with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board should also be aware of RCW 66.08.080, which states in part: "No employee of the board shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture of liquor sold under this title, or derive any profit or remuneration from the sale of liquor, other than the salary or wages payable to him in respect of his office or position, and shall receive no gratuity from any person in connection with such business."

RCW 69.50.351 states that no member of the state liquor and cannabis board and no employee shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the producing, processing, or sale of cannabis, useable cannabis, or cannabis‑infused products, or derive any profit or remuneration from the sale of cannabis, useable cannabis, or cannabis‑infused products other than the salary or wages payable to him or her in respect of his or her office or position, and shall receive no gratuity from any person in connection with the business.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers with diverse backgrounds. Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. You are welcome to include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [e-mail] or call (360) 664‑1674. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7‑1‑1 or 1‑800‑833‑6384.