Executive Director, Strategic Procurement

University of Denver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits including medical, 

Dental, retirement, paid time off, and

Tuition benefit and ECO pass

Job summary

University of Denver seeks an Executive Director of Strategic Procurement to lead enterprise procurement-to-pay functions, shape strategy, and drive modernization across sourcing, contracting, accounts payable, and travel management on campus.

You will lead a team of 11+ professionals, influence institutional priorities, and partner with senior leaders to deliver value through innovation and data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of military certification, education, and experience.
• 10 years of relevant experience.
• Progressive leadership experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, finance, or related operations.
• Experience leading complex sourcing, contracting, supplier management, or procurement transformation initiatives.
• Experience with modern procurement platforms such as Jaggaer, Coupa, SAP Ariba, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide enterprise leadership for procurement-to-pay functions: sourcing, procurement, contract management, accounts payable, tax compliance, travel management.
• Set and execute a strategic vision to strengthen procurement operations and service delivery.
• Lead high-value sourcing initiatives, negotiations, and contracting strategies to optimize cost, quality, service, and risk.
• Drive transformation through policy development, process redesign, technology enablement, and data-informed decisions.
• Partner with senior leaders to identify opportunities for operational improvement and enhanced customer experience.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational management

Communication skills

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, logistics, supply chain management, public administration, or related field

Master's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, supply chain management, or related field

Tools

Jaggaer

Coupa

SAP Ariba

Job description

Executive Director, Strategic Procurement

Job No: 498866

Work Type: Staff Full-Time

Location: Denver, CO

Categories: Accounting / Finance, Business Operations / Services, Admin / Executive / Office Support

The Office of Business and Financial Affairs is comprised of a diverse group of experts in multiple fields supporting financial, operational, and administrative activities for the University of Denver. Our passion is working together and collaborating with other departments to reduce the administrative burden on Faculty and Staff so that they can focus on supporting the education of our students. We strive to be a trusted and innovative partner delivering exemplary administrative services in support of the DU community

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Strategic Procurement is a high-impact leadership role for a strategic, forward-thinking professional who can shape and modernize the University's procurement-to-pay operations. This leader provides enterprise-wide leadership for strategic sourcing, procurement, contract management, tax compliance, accounts payable, and travel management, while leading a talented team of more than 11 professional and administrative staff. The role offers the opportunity to influence institutional strategy, strengthen operational excellence, and deliver meaningful value through innovation, implementation of leading-edge technologies, process improvement, and data-informed decision-making. The Executive Director partners with senior leaders across the University, including deans, vice chancellors, business officers, faculty, staff, students, and external suppliers, to build strong relationships, enhance service delivery, and advance institutional priorities. Reporting to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Business and Financial Affairs, and in close collaboration with the Controller's Office, Enterprise Risk Management, Office of the Provost, and the Office of General Counsel, this leader ensures sound stewardship, regulatory compliance, and effective governance while championing modern solutions that elevate the University's business operations and long-term success.

Essential Functions

• Provide enterprise leadership for the University's procurement-to-pay functions, including strategic sourcing, procurement, contract management, accounts payable, tax compliance, and travel management.
• Set and execute a strategic vision that strengthens procurement operations, modernizes service delivery, and supports institutional priorities.
• Lead high‑value sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, and contracting strategies to optimize cost, quality, service, and risk management.
• Drive transformation through policy development, process redesign, technology enablement, and data‑informed decision‑making.
• Partner with senior leaders and campus stakeholders to identify opportunities for operational improvement, strategic investment, and enhanced customer experience.
• Advance a culture of accountability, service excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, governance requirements, and University policies through strong cross‑functional collaboration and effective controls.
• Provide financial and operational leadership through planning, performance monitoring, risk assessment, and resource stewardship.
• Use market intelligence, supplier insights, and institutional data to inform strategy, guide decision‑making, and enhance outcomes.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high‑performing team while fostering professional growth, engagement, and clear accountability for results.

Management Duties

• This role requires a confident, strategic, and highly collaborative leader who can operate effectively in a complex environment and bring credibility to executive‑level conversations and institutional decision‑making. The Executive Director must be able to lead through change, influence across organizational boundaries, and inspire a high‑performing team to deliver exceptional results. The successful candidate will combine strong operational discipline with a forward‑looking mindset and a commitment to building an inclusive, service‑oriented culture that values innovation, partnership, and accountability.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to build and foster a high‑performing culture and organization
• Strategic leadership and operational management competencies
• Proven ability to develop innovative approaches to complex issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Project management skills
• Demonstrated focus on customer service and compliance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, logistics, supply chain management, public administration, or a related field. Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification, education, and experience may substitute for the degree qualification.
• 10 years of relevant experience
• Progressive leadership experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, finance, or related business operations.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, setting strategic direction, and achieving measurable operational results.
• Experience leading complex sourcing, contracting, supplier management, or procurement transformation initiatives leveraging leading‑edge technologies.
• Experience with modern procurement or sourcing platforms such as Jaggaer, Coupa, SAP Ariba, or similar systems.
• Strong executive presence, communication, negotiation, and relationship‑management skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving capabilities, with the ability to use data to guide decisions and improve performance.
• Ability to lead multiple priorities in a complex environment while maintaining a strong commitment to service excellence

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Significant senior leadership experience in procurement, financial services, shared services, or similarly complex business operations.
• Experience in higher education, public sector procurement, healthcare, or another highly regulated environment.
• Experience with ERP systems such as Banner or comparable enterprise platforms.
• Demonstrated success leading business transformation, process redesign, technology implementation, or change management initiatives.
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CPPO, CPPB, or a related credential.
• 15+ years relevant experience.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office and campus.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. This position will work on‑site on the University of Denver campus.

Benefits

• Excellent benefits including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, and local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver’s Non-Discrimination-Statement.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.