Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, the Director of Procurement Contracts will define and manage contract review methodologies and lead a team of contract specialists to negotiate and execute University contracts ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Director will lead efforts to continuously improve the contracting function for the University. This includes collaboratively assessing delegation of contract authority, workflows, and overall system efficiencies to... more details
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Director, Procurement Contracting - Division of Finance
Job Profile Title
Director D, Business and Finance, Procurement
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, the Director of Procurement Contracts will define and manage contract review methodologies and lead a team of contract specialists to negotiate and execute University contracts ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Director will lead efforts to continuously improve the contracting function for the University. This includes collaboratively assessing delegation of contract authority, workflows, and overall system efficiencies to implement and manage a modernized solutions for contract life-cycle management.
This role leads and facilitates decision-making at the highest levels in key areas of financial management and strategic planning. This position will conduct objective analysis of the financial performance of certain departments and centers within Penn and will develop an in-depth understanding of the business and financial structure.
In the Division of Finance, we recognize diversity and inclusion is paramount to a positive and thriving work environment; it is a business imperative. We are committed to actively fostering diversity, inclusion and cultural competency throughout our operational efforts in the Division of Finance. This role will be critical in supporting those efforts and demonstrating behaviors and competencies that reflect Penn's values.
We take pride in the myriad ways that diversity enriches our curriculum, and the cultural and social life of our campus. Penn's commitment to achieving eminence through diversity is ultimately a commitment to creating a more vibrant university so that our graduates will be both stimulated and empowered to shape a better world.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
- Team Leadership - lead a team of contracting specialists, providing guidance, coaching, and strategic direction in line with University and departmental priorities.
- Contract Review Methodology & Oversight - Establish and manage contract review methodologies in collaboration with partner functions.
- Contract Life-Cycle Management - Lead the effort to implement and operate a modern contract life-cycle management solution and workflow.
- Contract Policy - Develop and maintain procurement contract policies and best practices to best mitigate University risk.
- Contract Negotiation & Execution - Review and negotiate contract terms for high-value/high-risk contracts, while managing that activity across the team.
- Conduct financial and operational analysis to support planning efforts that span a wide range of initiatives.
- Analyze the consolidated budget, capital plans, multi-year financial plans, etc.; monitor current year budget to actual results. May manage the annual fiscal budget process
- Analyze data from various systems to produce regular and ad hoc financial reports
- Participate in review of operational processes and policies to ensure sound and consistent financial analysis protocol
- Provide staff mentoring and training and development for finance and business professionals. Manage a team.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
- Master's degree and 7-10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
- Ability to design and implement departmental and institutional policies and procedures.
- Strong leadership, organizational, project management, and planning skills with the ability to meet deadlines and facilitate solutions in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and a commitment to mentoring, coaching, and developing a team.
- Strong interpersonal and persuasive skills with the ability to work effectively with all levels of employees and management.
- Advanced user skills with Excel and other Microsoft programs and computer systems.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and accurate.
- Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Demonstrated organizational and prioritization skills, along with the ability to work within tight and often conflicting deadlines.
- Must be flexible, show effective judgement, discretion and have the ability to handle confidential financial matters.
- Work effectively in a highly matrixed and decentralized environment with the ability to navigate through ambiguity and demonstrate appreciation and support for diversity, inclusion and belonging in a constantly evolving academic/higher education environment.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Division of Finance
Pay Range
$90,860.00 - $165,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
