Deputy Director of Procurement and Contract Management

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

20h

About The Position

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is seeking a Deputy Director of Procurement and Contract Management. This is a Management Service position serving at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. The Deputy Director is the second-in-command for the agency's procurement operations, providing operational leadership and management oversight for all procurement and contract management activities. This role is crucial for ensuring compliant, efficient, and timely execution of procurement services in accordance with State regulations and mandates. The position directly manages the day-to-day operations of the Procurement and Contract Management Division, supervising staff who support complex, high-value educational procurements. The Deputy Director ensures seamless service delivery, implements service level agreements, and maintains procurement standards aligned with the department's strategic objectives, including Blueprint for Maryland's Future initiatives and federal grant compliance. This role exercises independent judgment on procurement execution, contract administration, vendor management, and process compliance, and serves as the acting Procurement Officer in the Director's absence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Law, or a related field.
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible procurement or contract management experience.
At least three (3) years of experience in Maryland State government procurement operating under COMAR Title 21 and Board of Public Works requirements.
At least two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience over professional procurement staff.
Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the general experience requirement.
Maryland Certified Public Manager (CPM), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or equivalent professional procurement certification may substitute for one (1) year of the general experience requirement.
Experience procuring IT systems, educational technology, or assessment services in a state agency or large public institution.
Demonstrated experience managing solicitations from inception through award, including RFP development, evaluation committee coordination, and BPW package preparation.
Familiarity with Maryland's eMMA, ADPICS/FMIS, or equivalent state procurement and financial management systems.
Experience with federal grant-funded procurements and compliance requirements (e.g., 2 CFR Part 200).
Working knowledge of education-specific procurement considerations, including Blueprint for Maryland's Future initiatives or Title I/IDEA-funded programs.
Experience serving as acting procurement authority or operational lead in the absence of a senior official.
Active CPPB, CPPO, or CPM certification.

Responsibilities

Manages day-to-day procurement operations for high-value acquisitions including assessment contracts, technology systems, professional services, and Blueprint implementation initiatives.
Oversees preparation and review of comprehensive solicitation documents including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations for Bids (IFBs), and Master Contracts for legal sufficiency and completeness.
Exercises delegated procurement authority for solicitations and awards within established thresholds, ensuring compliance with COMAR Title 21, MS-22:05/20 3Education Article provisions, and federal grant regulations.
Coordinates technical evaluation committee processes for complex procurements, ensuring proper documentation, objective evaluation, and regulatory compliance.
Reviews and approves sole source justifications, emergency procurements, and contract modifications within delegated authority.
Directly supervises Business Services Partners (procurement managers) and Core Services Team professional staff, conducting performance management, coaching, and professional development.
Assigns procurement workload across BSPs to balance capacity, complexity, and divisional service needs.
Monitors procurement pipeline and cycle times to ensure timely service delivery and proactive bottleneck resolution.
Implements work processes, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance protocols for procurement operations.
Serves as subject matter expert on Maryland Procurement Law, COMAR regulations, and education-specific procurement requirements, providing guidance to procurement staff and MSDE divisions.
Conducts compliance reviews and quality assurance audits of procurement files, ensuring proper documentation, competitive processes, and regulatory adherence.
Implements and monitors division performance metrics, service level agreements, and quality standards.
Develops and maintains standard templates, checklists, and procedural guidance for procurement activities.
Serves as primary operational liaison to MSDE divisions, program offices, and external stakeholders including DGS Office of State Procurement, Assistant Attorney General, local education agencies, and vendors on procurement planning, technical guidance, and issue resolution.
Coordinates procurement timeline development, market research, and solicitation planning with program offices; facilitates communication between evaluation committees, program offices, and procurement staff throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Supports development and implementation of procurement policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives; participates in enterprise-wide process improvement projects to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.