Director, Procurement & Payables

NED; Washington; Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Endowment for Democracy seeks a Director, Procurement & Payables to lead procurement, vendor management, accounts payable, travel and expense programs. You will shape processes, strengthen internal controls, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations while partnering with leaders to drive efficiency and stewardship of resources.

This hybrid Washington, DC role requires a strategic thinker with deep expertise in sourcing, contracting, payer operations, and procurement

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum 12 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, accounts payable, or finance operations.
• Minimum 5 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Experience developing and implementing procurement policies, procedures, and control frameworks.
• Knowledge of vendor management, contract administration, and financial controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement, purchasing, vendor management, accounts payable, and corporate purchasing card functions.
• Partner with department leaders to support sourcing strategies and contracting decisions.
• Ensure compliant processing of vendor payments and reimbursements.
• Develop vendor onboarding, performance management, and contract monitoring processes.
• Oversee annual information reporting and compliance activities (Forms 1099/1042).
• Lead competitive procurement activities with proper analysis and approvals.
• Oversee the corporate purchasing card program and related controls.
• Identify opportunities for strategic sourcing and cost savings while maintaining service standards.
• Serve as trusted advisor on procurement strategy and financial stewardship.

Skills

Vendor management

Procurement policies

Contracts administration

Accounts payable

Financial controls

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Public Administration, or a related field

Tools

Concur (Travel & Expenses)

ERP systems

Job description

Washington, DC, US

Salary Range: $103,000.00 To $185,000.00 Annually

Position Title: Director, Procurement & Payables Grade Level: Level 7 - FLSA Exempt Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

About NED

The National Endowment for Democracy supports freedom around the world.

At NED, we deliver on the belief that freedom is a universal aspiration. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NED is a private, nonprofit foundation, mandated by Congress, dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.

NED reflects an enduring American commitment to stand with those striving for dignity, justice, and opportunity. In 2025, NED made 1,552 grants totaling $271 million to support the work of nongovernmental organizations advancing democratic goals in more than 90 countries, including some of the world’s most challenging and repressive environments.

We seek talented, entrepreneurial professionals motivated by purpose and committed to excellence. At NED, you will join a dynamic team of experts who bring their skills, curiosity, and judgment to a consequential mission at a critical moment for democracy around the world. Our work is guided by our shared values: excellence, respect, empathy, accountability, and adaptability.

Position Summary

The Director, Procurement & Payables provides strategic leadership for the organization's procurement, vendor management, accounts payable, travel and expense management, and purchasing card programs. This role is responsible for establishing effective purchasing and payment processes, strengthening governance and internal controls, and promoting compliance with organizational policies, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), grant requirements, and applicable regulations. The Director partners closely with leaders across the organization to improve operational effectiveness, enhance service delivery, support informed decision-making, and ensure the effective stewardship of organizational resources.

This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the organization's procurement, purchasing, vendor management, accounts payable, and corporate purchasing card (P-Card) functions.
• Partner with department leaders to support sourcing strategies, vendor selection, contract administration, and purchasing decisions that align with operational and programmatic objectives.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant processing of vendor payments, employee reimbursements, and procurement transactions.
• Develop and maintain vendor onboarding, performance management, and contract monitoring processes that promote service quality, accountability, and cost effectiveness.
• Oversee annual information reporting processes, including Forms 1099 and 1042 filing requirements, ensuring timely reporting, vendor documentation compliance, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders
• Oversee competitive procurement activities and ensure purchasing decisions are supported by appropriate analysis, documentation, and approvals.
• Oversee the organization's corporate purchasing card program and related processes to ensure appropriate controls, accountability, and operational effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities for strategic sourcing, vendor consolidation, and cost savings while maintaining service and compliance standards.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to organizational leaders on procurement strategy, expenditure management, vendor relationships, and financial stewardship.

Compliance, Controls & Operational Excellence

• Lead the development and maintenance of procurement, accounts payable, travel, reimbursement, and vendor management policies, procedures, and control frameworks.
• Partner with organizational leaders to support consistent application of procurement, expenditure management, and compliance requirements.
• Provide guidance, training, and resources that enable departments to effectively manage purchasing and expenditure responsibilities.
• Support audit readiness activities and coordinate procurement- and AP-related responses to audits and compliance reviews.
• Evaluate processes, controls, and workflows to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, mitigate risk, and strengthen operational effectiveness.
• Monitor key performance indicators and recommend improvements that enhance service delivery, accountability, and customer experience.

Leadership, Technology & Organizational Partnership

• Provide strategic leadership for the procure-to-pay function, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, financial stewardship, and operational objectives.
• Supervise and develop the Manager, Procure-to-Pay Operations & Compliance, fostering accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary organizational point of contact for Corporate Traveler and oversee the administration, optimization, and governance of the organization's procure-to-pay and expense management platforms, including Concur, ensuring efficient, compliant, and user-friendly purchasing, travel, expense, and payment processes.
• Lead technology, automation, reporting, and process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and support data-driven decision-making while fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting , Finance, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, accounts payable, finance operations, or related functions.
• Minimum of 5 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing procurement policies, procedures, and control frameworks.
• Comprehensive knowledge of vendor management, contract administration, purchasing practices, accounts payable operations, and financial controls.
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience working in nonprofit, grant-funded, association, federal funding, or government contracting environments.
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), federal procurement requirements, and cost principles.
• Experience administering Concur, purchasing card programs, ERP systems, AP automation, or workflow management systems.
• CPA, CPSM, CPPO, CPCM, PMP, or other relevant professional certifications.

Talent in Action

Consistent with NED’s talent statement, and grounded in our values, the successful individual in this role will demonstrate the following competencies in the delivery of their work while supporting NED’s efforts to advance democratic change:

• Purpose-Driven
• Reliable
• Expertise
• Results-Oriented

NED Total Compensation

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $103,000 to $185,000.

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education, and other business needs, along with internal equity considerations. Employees are not typically hired at the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are based on the aforementioned circumstances .

• NED also offers a generous benefits package that demonstrates its commitment to employee health and well-being.