Director of Procurement Transformation & Strategy

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Harvard University’s Strategic Procurement Department is a central administrative function that serves all Harvard schools, institutes, and administrative units. Our mission is to create value for Harvard by optimizing the procurement of goods and services while upholding the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and supplier partnership. We manage over $3.5 billion in annual addressable spend and are committed to practices that support balance of trade, environmental sustainability, and the University’s long-term financial health.
The Director of Procurement Transformation and Strategy (the Director) is the driving engine of Strategic Procurement's future-state operating model. Partnering closely with the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), this leader orchestrates enterprise change that shifts procurement from transactional oversight to a strategic, value-generation function. The Director operationalizes, manages projects in support of, and mobilizes the five-year strategic roadmap and maturity model into a governed portfolio that delivers measurable ROI, risk reduction, and a superior stakeholder experience. This role is responsible for leading and overseeing the adoption of critical projects and initiatives, and effectively institutionalizes AI enablement (generative AI, predictive analytics, and hyper-automation) across the procurement lifecycle.
This position requires high-level diplomacy, executive presence, and the ability to influence without direct authority across a decentralized University environment. The job responsibilities listed are representative, but not exhaustive; additional duties may be assigned in support of departmental and University priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience leading enterprise transformation, operating model modernization, and/or large-scale program management.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and delivering measurable outcomes in complex, matrixed organizations.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, including the ability to translate strategy into executable plans and present to executive audiences.
• Experience modernizing procurement functions, including deployment of eProcurement, CLM, P2P, supplier management, and analytics solutions.
• Hands-on experience with AI, automation, data platforms, and advanced analytics in a procurement or adjacent operational context.
• Formal change management and/or program management credentials (e.g., Prosci, PMP, Lean/Six Sigma) preferred.
• Experience in higher education or similarly decentralized institutions with complex stakeholder landscapes.
• Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the multiyear strategic roadmap and maturity model, translating vision into a sequenced portfolio of initiatives with defined outcomes, interdependencies, and clear ownership.
• Establish and lead transformation governance (e.g., decision rights, stage gates, benefits realization, risk management, and reporting cadence) to drive predictable execution and sustainable adoption.
• Design, implement, and continuously refine the target operating model—including processes, roles, controls, and system-enabled workflows—to improve efficiency, compliance, and user experience.
• Lead critical projects, which serve as the primary transformation platforms, driving speed, quality, organizational readiness, and strong adoption while embedding standard work and controls that reduce risk.
• Champion AI enablement across procurement by integrating generative AI and machine learning into workflows and analytics to advance from descriptive reporting to predictive and prescriptive insights.
• Identify, evaluate, and integrate enabling technologies that remove low-value transactional friction and unlock capacity for strategic category management and supplier driven innovation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to design and execute change management, communications, and training programs that embed modernization and create a lasting cultural shift.
• Build and lead a Procurement Center of Excellence and cross director support model, creating playbooks, tools, standards, and performance metrics that institutionalize best practices across the University.
• Lead complex, cross-functional programs from concept through stabilization; define scope, success measures, timelines, and governance.
• Develop business cases and implementation plans; track value realization and continuously optimize based on performance data.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and executive communications; prepare materials for senior forums and facilitate decision-making.
• Manage external partners and vendors to ensure outcomes, quality, and value for money.
• Identify and mitigate risks; ensure controls, policy alignment, and compliance with University requirements.
• Build and develop high-performing teams; clarify expectations, coach talent, and foster accountability and collaboration.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director