Assistant Director, Contracts and Procurement

Metropolitan Transportation Commission; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Transportation Commission seeks an Assistant Director, Procurement and Contracts to lead procurement and contract administration across the agency. You will supervise teams, shape policy, and ensure competitive, cost-efficient acquisitions.

The role covers solicitations, evaluations, negotiations, awards, administration, and lifecycle oversight. You will work across departments to optimize service delivery, manage vendor performance, and implement continuous improvements in

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in transport planning, public administration, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant experience or equivalent.
• Three years of progressively responsible procurement/contract management experience.
• Professional procurement or contract management certifications desirable.
• California driver’s license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all procurement and contract administration activities.
• Develop procurement strategies and suitable solicitation methods.
• Monitor contract performance and ensure compliance.
• Provide guidance on contract interpretation and dispute resolution.
• Prepare management reports and maintain procurement data.

Skills

Public procurement

Contract lifecycle management

Vendor relationship management

Cost and price analysis

Risk assessment

Dispute resolution

Strategic sourcing

Procurement policy development

Program management

Education

Master’s degree in a related field

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years experience

Tools

ERP system

Job description

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026, AT 11:55 PM

FIRST ROUND INTERVIEWS ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2026

Aresumeisrequiredwithyourapplication

Be ready to rethink your assumptions about the public sector.Dedicated and motivated colleagues?Beautiful, highamenitybuildingfor on-site work and collaboration? Flexible schedules and hybrid work options? Yes, yes, and yes!

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under general direction of the Procurement, Risk, and Property Management Section Director, the Assistant Director, Procurement and Contracts directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the agency's procurement and contract administration functions. The position is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and overseeing procurement and contracting activities, including solicitations, evaluations, negotiations, contract awards, contract administration, contract performance management, vendor relationship management, and procurement policy development.

The Assistant Director provides leadership throughout the entire contract lifecycle, ensuring contracts are effectively administered from award through closeout, contract objectives are achieved, vendor performance is monitored, risks are mitigated, and agency departments receive strategic support in acquiring goods and services in a timely, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective manner.

Procurement and Contract Administration

• Direct and oversee all procurement and contract administration activities.
• Develop procurement strategies and recommend appropriate solicitation and contracting methods.
• Oversee the preparation, issuance, evaluation, negotiation, award, and administration of solicitations, contracts, task orders, amendments, purchase orders, and related procurement instruments.
• Review and approve procurement and contracting documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Advise executive leadership and agency departments on procurement and contract-related matters.
• Oversee contract monitoring practices and ensure proper documentation and contract file maintenance.
• Ensure cost and price analyses are appropriately conducted and documented.
• Develop, implement, and maintain procurement and contract administration policies, procedures, templates, and best practices.
• Resolve complex procurement and contractual issues and disputes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to procurement and contract management operations and efficiencies.
• Establish contract administration standards and practices to support effective post-award management and contract lifecycle oversight.
• Oversee contract closeout activities and ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations, documentation requirements, and record retention standards.

Contract Management and Vendor Performance

• Partner with agency departments to identify and resolve contract performance issues, service delivery concerns, and contractual risks.
• Provide guidance on contract interpretation, administration, modifications, claims, and dispute resolution.
• Develop vendor performance evaluation methodologies and maintain records of contractor performance.
• Support strategic supplier and vendor relationship management initiatives to improve service quality, contract outcomes, and organizational value.
• Identify opportunities for contract optimization, cost savings, service improvements, and risk mitigation throughout the contract lifecycle.

Administration and Reporting

• Develop procurement and contract performance metrics and management reports.
• Maintain procurement and contract databases and records.
• Prepare reports and presentations for executive leadership, auditors, funding agencies, and governing boards.
• Assist in the development and management of the division budget as assigned.
• Oversee records management for procurement and contract documents.
• Analyze procurement and contract management data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and operational improvements.

Leadership and Supervision

• Direct, supervise, and evaluate procurement and contract administration staff.
• Develop staff capabilities through coaching, training, and performance management.
• Establish work plans, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Monitor workloads and allocate resources to meet operational objectives.
• Promote a culture of customer service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Foster organizational understanding of effective procurement and contract management principles and practices.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Public procurement and contract administration principles and practices.
• Competitive procurement methods and solicitation development.
• Contract negotiation, contract lifecycle management, and post-award contract administration.
• Contract performance management, vendor relationship management, and supplier performance evaluation.
• Cost and price analysis principles.
• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies related to contracts and vendor performance.
• Public sector contracting for professional services, goods, technology, public works, and cooperative purchasing.
• Procurement policy development and implementation.
• Program management and organizational leadership.
• Principles of supervision and employee development.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Database, contract management, and procurement system administration.
• Dispute resolution, contract interpretation, and contract modification processes.
• Strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management practices.
• Principles and practices of contract administration, contract performance management, and contract closeout.
• Methods for evaluating contractor performance, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring achievement of contractual objectives.
• Techniques for negotiating contract amendments, resolving disputes, and mitigating contractual risks.
• Principles of strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and contract governance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

An appropriate combination of education and experience that has provided the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is

Education

• A Master’s degree in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment, such as transportation planning, project management, public finance, transportation engineering, economics, business or public administration; and
• A Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline and four years of relevant experience is an alternative qualification.

Experience

• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record may be required.
• Relevant procurement or contract management certifications are desirable and may be required within a specified period after appointment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Contract Management, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Law, or a related field.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis, where permitted.

Experience

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience performing procurement, contract administration, or contract management functions, including responsibility for contract development, contract negotiations, contract performance monitoring, contract modifications, and vendor relationship management.
• At least two (2) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing procurement, contract administration, contract management, or related professional staff.
• Experience managing complex contracts for professional services, technology, goods, public works, or transit-related services is highly desirable.
• Experience in public sector procurement and contracting is preferred.
• Experience leading organizational process improvements related to procurement and contract lifecycle management.
• Experience developing procurement and contract administration policies, procedures, and standard templates.
• Experience working within an enterprise procurement, contract management, or ERP system.

Applicants with a degree issued by an institution outside the United States who are using that degree to meet the minimum qualifications for the position must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic credential evaluation service and provide proof of equivalency with their application. An evaluation is generally not required if: 1. The position does not require a degree, 2. You qualify through work experience alone, 3. You hold a professional license or certification that satisfies the educational requirement, or 4. You have another degree earned in the United States that independently satisfies the educational requirement.

To ensure a fair and consistent review, any required academic evaluation must be submitted at the time of application so qualifications can be verified before candidates advance in the recruitment process.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of a background check, professional references and the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.

DISABILITY

The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment or skills assessment process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If selected for an interview or testing, and you require accommodation, please notify the Human Resources Department when confirming your interview or test.

All MTC employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.