Director of Procurement & Contracts (Henrico)

DHRM • Richmond, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is seeking an experienced and innovative Director of Procurement & Contracts to lead the agency’s enterprise procurement and contracting portfolio. This role serves as VEC’s senior authority for high‑dollar, high‑risk, and highly technical procurements, driving strategic sourcing efforts that support major statewide initiatives—including Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) and Unemployment Insurance (UI) modernization—and mission‑critical enterprise IT systems. The Director oversees procurement policy, compliance, leasing, supplier development, and SWaM strategy while supervising a high‑performing team of procurement professionals. This leadership role operates with broad independence, advising executive leadership, shaping agency procurement practices, and ensuring every contract, solicitation, and negotiation advances VEC’s operational excellence and service mission to Virginians. Join the VEC and be part of a mission-driven agency dedicated to supporting workers, strengthening communities, and promoting economic stability across the Commonwealth. We administer Virginia’s UI benefits program with a commitment to providing customer-centered, accessible, inclusive, and impactful services to support our shared mission: lifting up Virginia, one unemployed worker at a time. The VEC is also an integral part of a historic milestone as Virginia becomes the first state in the South to offer PFML. Our agency will be responsible for standing up and administering this new program, which will expand the vital support we provide for employees when they need it most.

Requirements

• Experience with advanced public procurement principles, complex solicitation development, contract administration, supplier diversity integration, and strategic sourcing.
• Experience interpreting and applying VPPA, APSPM, VITA, or similar state or locality procurement standards, federal grant requirements, and public-sector procurement policies.
• Experience developing, negotiating, and managing high‑dollar, high‑risk, and highly technical contracts, including enterprise IT systems and Programmatic systems contracting.
• Experience conducting high‑stakes negotiations, preparing RFPs, analyzing pricing and risk, and drafting complex contractual instruments.
• Experience resolving vendor performance issues, managing escalations, and coordinating contract actions with legal counsel or senior leadership.
• Experience supervising procurement staff, assigning workload, evaluating performance, coaching, and developing procurement competencies.
• Experience conducting procurement audits, updating policy, and analyzing procurement data for reporting and compliance.
• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills necessary to support complex procurement and program‑level decision‑making.
• Extensive experience in state or federal procurement and contract management.
• Current Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification is required. Comparable public-sector procurement certifications from other states or local governments may be accepted at the time of hire; however, successful candidates must obtain VCO certification within six (6) months of employment.
• The incumbent must also complete mandatory Statement of Economic Interests forms and Conflict of Interest training.
• A valid driver’s license is also required, as the job duties may occasionally involve statewide overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced procurement certification (e.g., VCM, CPPB, CPPO, CPM) and considerable experience in procurement of goods and services in the public sector.
• Use of eVA and Enterprise Resource Planning system, and the use of a state issued Small Purchase Charge Card (SPCC).

Responsibilities

• Lead the agency’s enterprise procurement and contracting portfolio.
• Serve as VEC’s senior authority for high‑dollar, high‑risk, and highly technical procurements.
• Drive strategic sourcing efforts that support major statewide initiatives—including Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) and Unemployment Insurance (UI) modernization—and mission‑critical enterprise IT systems.
• Oversee procurement policy, compliance, leasing, supplier development, and SWaM strategy.
• Supervise a high‑performing team of procurement professionals.
• Advise executive leadership, shape agency procurement practices, and ensure every contract, solicitation, and negotiation advances VEC’s operational excellence and service mission.
• Conduct high‑stakes negotiations, prepare RFPs, analyze pricing and risk, and draft complex contractual instruments.
• Resolve vendor performance issues, manage escalations, and coordinate contract actions with legal counsel or senior leadership.
• Conduct procurement audits, update policy, and analyze procurement data for reporting and compliance.

Benefits

• Paid leave
• A minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions)
• Federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed