Working Title: Assistant Director, Procurement - Strategic Operations

State Role Title: Procurement Manager III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Finance

Department: 300119 - Aux-Proc & Mat Mgt

Pay Band: 6

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $78,000 - $86,520 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? Yes. This successful candidate must complete a statement of personal economic interest prior to their first day of employment.

Beginning Review Date: 04/07/2026

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Assistant Director, Procurement - Strategic Operations serves as a senior Procurement leader, shaping and advancing the university’s procurement strategies. This leader will assist in planning and directing contract administration practices, contract compliance activities, contract file reviews, standardizing procurement processes, FOIA responses, detailed analysis and reporting, Oracle Procurement/Supplier & Contract Administration Modules functional/business oversight, small business initiatives (inclusive of compliance with state laws), economic development, and other technology and business operational activities that align with JMU's mission and financial stewardship priorities. The Assistant Director will also develop/maintain, facilitate and/or provide oversight to internal campus procurement policy/procedure and systems training and external communication and outreach activities. The Assistant Director of Strategic Operations will be expected to support value-driven purchasing solutions in alignment with the Rules Governing Procurement of Goods, Services, Insurance and Construction by Public Institutions of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia and other pertinent Virginia regulations, and will be expected to be assigned a commodity area and/or conduct procurements/contracting activities on an as assigned basis. This position will provide back-up to the Director of Procurement Services and the Assistant Director of Sourcing and Contracting as needed. The position will support technical writing, manual/policy updates, and standard operating procedures across the department. This position will work closely with departments, vendors, and state agencies to foster ethical, efficient, and customer-focused procurement practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Assistant Director, Procurement - Strategic Operations will:

• Lead a team of professionals (Contract Administrators, Business Analyst, Office & SWaM Reporting Manager, Administrative Assistant) inclusive of vision setting, policy and procedure development/refinement, daily leadership, allocation of resources across responsibilities, procurement/commodity assignments, performance evaluations, coaching.
• Provide oversight and guidance to ensure that all university purchases, contract files, small business initiatives, and systems are made/maintained according to Guidelines by the Commonwealth of Virginia and University Policy.
  Oversee lifecycle of contract administration to ensure adherence to university policy, state and federal regulations, and audit standards.
• Lead compliance monitoring activities and proactively support Contract Administrators to mitigate institutional risk. Interpret and implement regulatory changes affecting public procurement, ensuring timely policy updates and stakeholder communications. Position will develop, implement and conduct internal compliance reviews on Sourcing and Contracting projects and conduct internal assessments to ensure readiness for state audits and efficiency reviews.
• Provide oversight/guidance for procurement system activities, including system configuration, security protocols, workflow management, and campus/supplier training initiatives. Collaborate with staff (Procurement Business Analyst and/or Contract Module Administrators), and Oracle ERP Application Manager and as appropriate to ensure optimization of system integrations, reporting capabilities, and automation initiatives, while also ensuring continuity of services.
• Champion small business initiatives that advance institutional commitment to inclusive procurement and economic impact. Ensure regulatory compliance related to small, women-owned, minority-owned, and service-disabled veteran business participation as required by Virginia Law. Foster partnerships with small business suppliers and support economic development initiatives aligned with university and regional priorities. Represent the university in supplier engagement forums and outreach activities. Provide leadership and oversight to Office & SWaM Reporting Manager related to state required SWaM reporting and VASCUPP SDAC Committee participation responsibilities.
• Represent Procurement Services on a variety of internal committees as well as representing James Madison University through state and national organizations.
• Develop, maintain and facilitate training, education and outreach to university departments and suppliers.
• Provide oversight to state/university reporting and data analysis needs as applicable to SWaM, contract administration, financial and other general reporting activities.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Progressive leadership experience, preferably in public sector or higher education.
• Significant progressive experience in contract administration, procurement/ERP system administration, procurement Lead/Supervisor/Manager positions in public facing or government entities.
• Designation as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO), Virginia Construction Contracting Officer (VCCO), Certified Procurement Manager (CPM), Certified University Procurement Officer (CUPO), or other similar certifications and experience to reflect a high knowledge of Public Procurement Law and Ethics.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations related to higher education procurement.
• Familiarity with eVA (Virginia's electronic procurement system) or comparable ERP/Procurement systems.
• Demonstrated experience and high level of technical expertise with Procurement systems inclusive of testing, rollouts, and end user training creation.
• Experience working with small business initiatives and outreach activities.
• Demonstrated strong leadership and team building skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with management and administration.
• Commitment to engaging with a broad range of suppliers.
• Demonstrated experience establishing best practice policies and procedures, manuals and internal desktop processes.
• Excellent judgement and ability to discern levels of risk and benefit, specifically related to procurement policies/procedures and contract compliance activities.
• Demonstrated integrity in managing complex relationships and confidential information.
• Experience with contract negotiations and administration across a breath of commodities, ideally in a higher education setting.
• Data or financial analysis skills.
• Proven proactive and action based leadership to solve problems and implement customer focused initiatives.

Additional Considerations:

• Substantial professional experience in public procurement.
• Thorough understanding of the Governing Rules for Higher Education.
• Demonstrated knowledge in multiple skill areas: Contract Administration, Procurement Systems, Procurement Training/Development,
• Small Business Initiatives, Economic Development, Law/Policy Interpretation, Auditing, Contracting of Goods and Services.

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.