Director, Procurement and Grants

Job Title: Director, Procurement and Grants

Team: (People & Operations)

Location: In-Person in Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL), Newark (NJ), or New York City (NYC) 

Employment Type: Full-time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Start Date: ASAP

About Braven

Braven is a national nonprofit that prepares promising young people—many of whom are people of color, from low-income backgrounds, and the first in their families to attend college—to secure a strong first opportunity after college graduation through a career-accelerating program.

We work with higher education and employer partners to offer a life-changing experience that begins with a semester-long course for college students followed by support that lasts through graduation.  

Together, we are helping to open up access to the American Promise, empowering a generation of leaders who mirror the diversity of our country.

To learn more, take a look at Braven’s Impact Report and Jobs Report.

About the Role

In order to achieve its ambition of serving 80,000-100,000 Fellows over the next decade, Braven is hiring a Director, Procurement and Grant Compliance who will develop and implement comprehensive purchasing systems, policies, and procedures aligned with federal grant requirements. By optimizing our financial processes and maintaining strict compliance, you'll play a vital role in maximizing the impact of every dollar invested in our Fellows' futures. Your work will directly contribute to Braven's ability to scale its programs efficiently and effectively, ultimately helping more underrepresented students transition from college to strong first jobs and fulfilling careers. As a leader within the Finance team, you will collaborate across departments to centralize purchasing, improve vendor processes, and ensure compliance with federal grant requirements, including the Uniform Guidance.

This role is on the Finance team and reports directly to the Controller.

What You’ll Do

Procurement Systems and Policy Development - 40%

• Design and implement procurement systems, policies, and procedures aligned with federal grant requirements and Uniform Guidance
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive procurement manual that ensures compliance with federal regulations
• Create and implement internal controls to safeguard against fraud, waste, and abuse in procurement processes
• Establish and oversee a system for tracking and reporting on grant-related purchases
• Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes to enhance efficiency and compliance
• Build out and manage a Purchase Order system

Grant Compliance and Management - 30%

• Collaborate with the grants management team to ensure all procurement activities meet federal grant regulations
• Oversee the preparation and submission of procurement-related reports required by federal grantors
• Stay current on changes in federal grant requirements and update procurement policies accordingly
• Provide training and guidance to staff on procurement processes and federal grant compliance
• Conduct internal audits of procurement practices to ensure ongoing compliance

Vendor Management and Strategic Sourcing - 20%

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize cost savings and value 
• Oversee RFP processes, ensuring compliance with federal grant requirements 
• Negotiate and manage vendor contracts, ensuring favorable terms and compliance with federal regulations
• Implement vendor performance metrics and conduct regular evaluations 
• Manage ContractSafe, including conducting trainings and processing contracts

Strategic Planning and Team Leadership - 10%

• Develop and implement long-term procurement strategies aligned with Braven's growth plans and grant funding objectives
• Collaborate with leadership to align procurement strategies with organizational goals
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or related field
• At least 5 years of experience in procurement, with at least 2 years focusing on federal grant compliance
• Demonstrated expertise in federal grant management and in-depth knowledge of Uniform Guidance
• Experience developing and implementing procurement systems and policies

Preferred Qualifications 

• Certified Federal Grants Management Specialist (CFMS) or similar certification