Associate Director of Contracts and Procurement Strategy, OSD - 23347

Position Summary: The Associate Director of Contracts and Procurement Strategy will be responsible for assisting the Director of Contracts & Procurement Strategy in managing the contracting/procurement process, both pre and post-award, for the purposes of increasing business opportunities for Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) vendors through New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) procurements.

The Associate Director assists with pre-solicitation review activities, evaluates solicitation documents, including Schedule B and supporting documentation, and works with the Division of Contracts and Purchasing (DCP) and central operations staff to ensure that M/WBE procurement requirements are satisfied in a timely and cost-effective manner. This includes providing procurement assistance to central offices and M/WBE vendors. The Associate Director also ensures that contract specifications are developed with M/WBE goals in mind. Performs related work.

Reports to: Director of Contracts & Procurement Strategy, OSD

Direct Reports: Contracts and Procurement Managers, OSD

Key Relationships: Works closely with vendors, Division of Contracts and Purchasing (DCP) staff, DEIB leadership, as well as central offices and their contract and procurement staff.

Responsibilities

Contract Analysis

Provides knowledge, guidance and information regarding vendors, contracts, rules and procurements to internal and external stakeholders to create opportunities for M/WBEs.Manages procurement staff responsible for developing and incorporating strategies to increase business opportunities for M/WBE vendors in NYCPS procurements.Provides guidance on M/WBE contract matters to operational and programmatic staff, including familiarizing them with M/WBE contracting practices and procedures, including: ensuring that contract documentation is communicated to all relevant parties to provide contract visibility and awareness;assisting with any vendor or M/WBE-related contract issues; assisting in implementing and monitoring M/WBE subcontracting requirements.Works closely with vendors to ensure compliance with contracted obligations, clarify contract requirements, resolve potential conflicts, negotiate improved pricing, and discuss product quality and delivery.Assists with developing strategies and implementing procedures for improved contract management and administration in compliance with NYCPS policy; advocates change and participates in key policy discussions as appropriate in support of creating opportunities for M/WBEs. Supports the annual contract renewal process for all contracts across several NYCPS offices where needed, with an eye toward M/WBE subcontracting implementation. Works with OSD staff on annual fiscal projection exercises in order to determine M/WBE spending goals, in accordance with contract requirements.Utilizes M/WBE consultants and contract databases to identify potential M/WBE Prime contractors (or subcontractors where applicable). Reviews and recommends approval/changes for Requests for Authorization (RAs) initiated by DCP for pending M/WBE contracts and contracts with M/WBE subcontracting requirements.Assists central program offices in developing and processing MTACs (Multi-Task Awards Contracts) with M/WBEs for applicable services.Provides support for developing M/WBE procurement plans for central offices with high-value contracts to increase the award and utilization of M/WBEs.

Procurement

Provides support for developing new Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Bids (RFB), Negotiated Services/Exceptions to Bid, and Sole Source procurements with OSD Leadership.Determines the most efficient and cost-effective purchasing methods by consulting with NYCPS procurement policies, procedures, and SOPM purchasing guidelines to create opportunities for M/WBEs.Assists central offices in the purchasing of goods and services from NYC and/or NYS Certified M/WBEs for their instructional programs.Provides assistance to central program offices regarding SOP and PPP guidelines to support the utilization of M/WBEs for procurement opportunities where applicable.Works with central program offices to develop project design and scope and coordinate solicitation specifications to support the utilization of M/WBE vendors.

Relationship Management

Interacts with M/WBE vendors for general inquiries and issue resolution.Manages relationships between OSD and the Division of Contracts and Purchasing and program offices.Briefs OSD leadership each month on contract/procurement status relative to M/WBE participation and growth.Assists OSD Vendor Engagement and Compliance teams in other related functions.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four (4) years of full-time satisfactory professional experience in purchasing, procurement, contract administration or a related field, at least eighteen months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity or supervising professional personnel performing duties in one or more of the above fields; or A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have the eighteen months of administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory experience described in "1" above.

Possession of an acceptable professional procurement certification may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the experience described in "1" above. However, all candidates must have the eighteen months of administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory experience described in "1" above.

Preferred

Juris Doctorate degree.Ability to develop mutual trust and openness of communication, acts with integrity. Highly skilled in decision-making, problem-solving and implementation.Knowledge of principles of competitive procurement, bidding and negotiations. Excellent spoken and written communication skills. Strong attention to detail.Ability to interact professionally and effectively with staff, upper management, and vendors.Ability to “go the distance” and work in cooperation with OSD staff.Knowledge of Administrative Code 6-129 and other M/WBE-related laws.Knowledge of NYCPS Procurement Policy & Procedures. Knowledgeable of NYCPS and city systems such as FAMIS, FMS, CTS, and VENDEX. Proficiency in recent versions of the Microsoft Office Suite, primarily Outlook, Excel, Word, Visio and PowerPoint.

Salary: $110,000 - $120,000

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non- Discrimination Policy

The Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.