Assistant Director, Procurement Operations and Compliance

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of VA Careers seeks an Assistant Director for Strategic Operations and Programs in Norfolk, VA. This role oversees Procurement Services programs, ensures compliance, enhances efficiency, and leads performance measurement across PCard, contract administration, supplier diversity, and eProcurement.

The position drives policy development, staff coaching, and stakeholder collaboration with campus departments, finance, legal, and auditors to advance procurement objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred in related field or MBA is a plus.
• Considerable experience in developing and/or managing contracts.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for Procurement Services programs including PCard, Contract Administration, Supplier Diversity, and eProcurement.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, training, reporting frameworks, and performance metrics for procurement operations.
• Serve as a key advisor to university leadership and collaborate with campus departments, suppliers, finance, legal, auditors, and other stakeholders.
• Foster an efficient, compliant, data-driven, customer-focused procurement organization that supports academic, research, and administrative missions.

Skills

Procurement policy

Contract administration

Strategic procurement

Report writing

Public speaking

Customer service

ERP systems

E-procurement

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Procurement software

ERP systems

Procure-to-pay systems

Job description

Title: Assistant Director, Procurement Operations and Compliance

Agency: VP OF ADMIN AND FINANCE

Location: Norfolk, VA

FLSA: Exempt

Additional Detail

Job Description:

The Assistant Director for Strategic Operations and Programs provides leadership, direction, oversight, operational compliance and efficiency, and continuous improvement for key Procurement Services programs within a higher education institution. Reporting to the Director of Procurement Services, this position is responsible for the strategic management, compliance oversight, operational effectiveness, and performance measurement of the institution's procurement-related programs to include Small Purchase Charge Card (PCard) Program, Contract Administration Program, Supplier Diversity Program, and eProcurement Program.

The Assistant Director develops and implements policies, procedures, training programs, reporting frameworks, and performance metrics that promote operational excellence, regulatory compliance, supplier engagement, and customer-focused procurement services. This position serves as a key advisor to university leadership and collaborates extensively with campus departments, suppliers, finance, legal counsel, auditors, and other stakeholders to advance institutional procurement objectives.

This position plays a vital leadership role in fostering an efficient, compliant, data-driven, and customer-focused procurement organization that supports the institution's academic, research, and administrative missions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree inBusiness Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Higher Education Administration, orin a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Considerable experience in developing and/or managing contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage programs, processes and staff within the Procurement Services Department and the University with little or no direct supervision.
• Extensive knowledge of procurement policy and regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of contract administration procedures.
• Knowledge and skill to apply policies and guidelines by reading and interpreting procurement regulations and technical material and translating the guidance into specific actions.
• Considerable knowledge in strategic procurement programs and associated compliance monitoring and reporting
• Demonstrated knowledge of report writing techniques.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to provide expert technical leadership, staff coordination, coaching, and consultation.
• Highly skilled in public speaking, presentations, and verbal communications.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with public, partners, customers, and co-workers, while working cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Demonstrated facilitation and consultation skills.
• Extensive knowledge of e-procurement.
• Working knowledge of ERPs and procurement software.
• Ability to expresses ideas effectively and demonstrate sound judgment with regard to decision-making.

Additional Considerations:

• Master’s degree Business Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Higher Education Administration, orin a related field
• Some supervisory experience.
• Experience in a fast-paced higher education or public sector procurement environment balancing a focus on compliance and exceptional customer service
• Professional certification such as CPPB, CPPO, CPSM, C.P.M., PMP, NIGP-CPP, or equivalent.
• Experience leading strategic procurement programs and associated compliance monitoring and reporting.
• Experience supporting ERP, procure-to-pay, or eProcurement system implementations and enhancements.