Associate Director, Contracting Services

Overview

The Associate Director, Procurement Contracting owns a broad portfolio of complex contracts and contracts management responsibilities as a key member of the central Procurement Services function within the Office of Finance & Treasury.  This role is responsible for the University’s most challenging and complex procurement agreements while also leading the efforts to increase efficiency, improve process compliance, and reduce risk for all procurement contracts.  Balancing the needs of campus clients with the responsibility of ensuring the University’s interests and rights are protected, this role requires someone with exceptional talent to understand contract and contracting complexities.  The Associate Director will communicate relevant and practical advice to University decision makers and stakeholders for their contracts while creating the programs and procedures to increase contract review volume, reduce risk, and maximize contract usage for a world class research and education institution.

In this capacity, the Associate Director’s responsibilities are in two primary areas:

• Contracting: Authoring, negotiating, and executing any procurement contract, particularly those which are high value, high complexity, and/or high risk to the University.  This requires collaboration and input from experts from a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, partnership with campus clients, and clear, practical advice to contract stakeholders throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Contracts Management: Using a strategic approach, establish and deploy contracting principles and guidelines across the University community relative to contract review mandates, the establishment of acceptable risk tolerances, and standardization of contract templates and documents. This requires exceptional skills and knowledge in procurement, contracting, and the use of contracts to drive behaviors across a complex organization. 

This role requires an exceptional individual capable of the strategic responsibilities of managing and enhancing a University-wide program, the flexibility and skill to guide and educate University stakeholders on a wide variety of contracting situations, and the expertise and skill to take ownership for the negotiation and execution of complex and challenging contracts.

The Office of Finance & Treasury actively searches for staff members of exceptional ability and promise who share in Princeton University's commitment to excellence, and who present a wide range of viewpoints and cultures. We offer varied professional opportunities spanning all aspects of financial management, analysis, and processing in support of the teaching and research mission. As part of the University community, we respect the dignity and individuality of each member while trying to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose. We are unwavering in our commitment to community and embrace the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of all of our colleagues.

Responsibilities

Contracting & Negotiations 

• Negotiate and execute agreements of high complexity and risk for all types of purchases.
• Be a trusted advisor to campus stakeholders by providing practical guidance on both the contracting process and department-initiated agreements.
• Exercise the appropriate judgement to engage with the Office of the General Counsel to ensure successful contractual and operational outcomes.
• Establish and deploy a risk-based approach to contract review processes.
• Develop and deploy standardized contract summaries to simplify stakeholder engagement and create process efficiencies now and in conjunction with contract lifecycle management systems.
• Support departmental strategic sourcing initiatives to streamline time to contract and optimize the level of contract support across a wide variety of categories and contracting needs.

Program Management & Contracts Management Governance 

• Lead collaborative projects involving a variety of University stakeholders from the Offices of General Counsel, Information Technology, Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Management, Audit & Compliance, Research Project Administration, and many others to streamline contracting processes and enhance the effectiveness of contractual controls.
• Partner with OGC and other department leaders to ensure standard contract terms and conditions are up to date with changes in state and federal regulations, University policies, and best practices.
• Partner with colleagues in Procurement Services to refine and enhance work processes and systems necessary to streamline contract life cycle management efforts within the Source-to-Pay process in support of a vast population of campus users.
• Establish a risk-based approach to contract reviews to in