Senior Contracts Officer

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.

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures
• 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

• 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 legal agreements and modifying 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

• 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
• Knowledge of eVA (state procurement system)
• Knowledge with AIS/PeopleSoft functionality
• Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia (VPPA, APSPM, etc.) & VCCS procurement policies

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, 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, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.

The VCCS is an EOE and Affirmative Action Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), VCCS will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.

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.