Job Description
Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration this position serves as the University's Chief Procurement Officer and provides strategic leadership for the University's procurement, contracting, supplier relationship management, and procurement operations. The Director establishes and advances a comprehensive procurement strategy that promotes operational excellence, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, innovation, and responsible stewardship of public…
funds while supporting the University's academic, research, and administrative mission. The position partners with the Controller, Finance leadership, and executive leadership to strengthen procurement governance, improve institutional processes, and maximize value through strategic sourcing and effective contract management.
Required Qualifications
• Advanced degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and related professional experience.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience in large and diverse public or private sector procurement organization(s).
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with various levels of management and staff in a diverse environment.
• Experience administering complex procurement and contracting processes and interpreting applicable local, state, federal, and other regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to translate complex information into meaningful management reports, recommendations, and executive-level decision support.
• Experience evaluating and improving organizational operations and business processes, developing policy, and implementing strategic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Knowledge of organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures.
• Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, developing, and evaluating professional staff, including workload management, performance management, and succession planning.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Experience monitoring contract compliance, supplier performance, and quality of goods and services.
• Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of public procurement, contract law, and risk management principles.
• Experience negotiating and administering complex contractual arrangements.
• Ability to analyze purchasing requests/orders for compliance with institutional procedures and state, federal, and other regulations.
• Experience developing and administering Invitations for Bids (IFBs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and other competitive procurement methods in accordance with applicable laws and University policy.
• Knowledge of enterprise financial and procurement systems, reporting tools, data analytics, and advanced spreadsheet applications.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead multiple complex projects while managing competing priorities and meeting established deadlines.
• Must possess or obtain the certifications required to maintain delegated procurement authority under Commonwealth of Virginia and University requirements within two (2) years of hire.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in higher education institution procurement and contracting.
• Experience in Virginia public procurement.
• Professional certification such as VCCO, VCO, CPPO,CPPB,CPM,CPSM, or equivalent.
• Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in public or private sector procurement or contracting, including progressively responsible leadership and management experience.
