Senior Contracts Officer

Senior Contracts Officer

Job Description
Innovation allows an organization to make the most of every dollar spent. At Virginia’s Community Colleges System (VCCS), our compelling mission, our ambitious strategic plan and our fiscal realities challenge us to ensure that community college resources are maximized for the priority of student success and credential completion. 

Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, the VCCS Shared Services Center is centrally located to all 23 colleges in the VCCS, 43 miles from Blacksburg, VA, and a four-hour drive from Washington, D.C. A vital part of the ever-growing Roanoke Valley, Daleville is a haven for tourists and residents alike. Within an hour’s drive are the breathtaking Smith Mountain Lake, world-famous Appalachian Trail, and many other outdoor activities, including golfing, biking, and hiking. The thriving Historic City Market in downtown Roanoke and the Daleville Town Center and Performance Pavilion also host farmers markets, community and cultural events, and festivals throughout the year.

The VCCS Shared Services Center is an innovation strategy to advance the priority of student success, reduce the administrative burden on individual colleges, consolidate transaction-based functions, create economies of scale and improve backroom process efficiency. This work allows the VCCS to better focus resources on the students – helping them start their educational journeys, persist, and succeed.

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).
• Analyzes market data to make appropriate sourcing decisions.
• Ensures 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.

KSA’s/Required Qualifications:

Required KSA’s:

• 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
• 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
• Ability to build working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals
• Ability to provide exceptional and professional customer service to diverse internal and external customers and suppliers
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment with matrix reporting relationships
• Proficient written and oral communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Proficient knowledge and experience using an electronic procurement system, MS Office products and Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Ability to travel within Virginia and within the United States as needed

Preferred KSA’s:

• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures
• Expertise in interpreting legal agreements and modifying for compliance
• Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia (VPPA, APSPM, etc.) & VCCS procurement policies
• Knowledge of eVA (state procurement system)
• Knowledge with AIS/PeopleSoft functionality

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent education and experience
• Multiple years of complex procurement experience leading solicitations and negotiating contracts, vendor agreements, orders, statements of work, etc.
• Experience in a customer service environment
• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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

To view the full job posting and apply, go to: https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/60636

Virginia’s Community College System, an EEO employer, welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore, the VCCS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.