Senior Contracts Officer

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

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.