Senior Contracts Officer

VCCS Shared Services Center; Daleville (VA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework available

Job summary

The Senior Contract Officer at VCCS Shared Services Center oversees procurement for 23 colleges, the System Office, and SSC. The role involves soliciting contracts, managing term agreements, and analyzing markets to guide sourcing decisions.

Travel within Virginia and the United States is required. Hybrid telework is available, and sponsorship is not offered. The successful candidate will ensure purchases meet all policies and laws while delivering efficient, compliant procurement services.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading solicitations and contract negotiations.
• Experience interpreting and modifying legal agreements for compliance.
• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Solicits and issues contracts using complex procurement methods.
• Manages a portfolio of term contracts for SSC customers.
• Analyzes market data to guide sourcing decisions.
• Ensures purchases comply with VCCS/state laws and policies.
• Implements best practices to improve performance and compliance.

Skills

Procurement strategy

Communication skills

Education

Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification

Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification

Tools

eVA procurement system

MS Office

Adobe Acrobat Pro

AIS/PeopleSoft

Job description

Under their direct supervisor, the Senior Contract Officer (SPO) procures a wide variety of goods and services for the 23 VCCS colleges, the System Office and the Shared Services Center. The position also:

• Solicits and issues contracts for goods and services as needed by the SSC customers utilizing a variety of complex procurement methods.
• Manages a portfolio of term contracts for use by the SSC customers (potentially including other public bodies).
• Analyze market data to make appropriate sourcing decisions.
• Ensure that all purchases are performed accurately and timely and in accordance with applicable VCCS and state policies and applicable laws.
• Employs best business practices to continuously improve performance, compliance, efficiency and effectiveness.

Required KSA’s:

Knowledge of:

• Governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures
• Knowledge of eVA (state procurement system)

Skills:

• Extensive expertise in making sourcing decisions for complex procurement of supplies, equipment, and professional and non-professional services, including the ability to analyze market data, exercise sound judgment, take initiative, handle multiple competing priorities, solve problems, and attend to detail while maintaining a big-picture perspective
• Proficient written and oral communication skills

Ability to:

• Develop and comprehend highly complex solicitation and contract documents, including the ability to interpret procurement-related law and policies, apply that knowledge, and as needed participate in the development of related policies and procedures
• Build working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals
• Provide exceptional and professional customer service to diverse internal and external customers and suppliers
• Work effectively with a wide range of constituencies
• Collaborate effectively in a team environment with matrix reporting relationships
• Maintain confidentiality
• To travel within Virginia and within the United States as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Multiple years of complex procurement experience leading solicitations and negotiating contracts, vendor agreements, orders, statements of work, etc.
• Experience in a customer service environment
• Experience in interpreting and modifying legal agreements for compliance
• Current Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification or ability to obtain Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification within one year of hire and VCO within two years; see https://vip.dgs.virginia.gov/ for more information on VCA & VCO certifications

Additional Considerations:

• Professional procurement certification(s): VCO, CPPO, CPPB, CPM or other nationally recognized procurement/contract management certification
• Experience in analyzing, negotiating and generating year-over-year procurement savings
• Procurement experience in higher education and/or state government
• Experience using an electronic procurement system
• Experience using MS Office products and/or Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Knowledge with AIS/PeopleSoft functionality
• Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia (VPPA, APSPM, etc.) & VCCS procurement policies

Hybrid telework available!

Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

Special Instructions to Applicants

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process (AHP). The AHP is established as part of a comprehensive strategy to increase employment of individuals with disabilities within state government, which offers a non-competitive path to state employment. For Frequently Asked Questions, please review the DHRM document here: alternative-hiring-process-faqs-for-applicants.pdf.(virginia.gov).

The selected candidate's offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth's Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.