The University of Arizona

Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing & Contracting Services (UPDATED)

The University of Arizona$117K — $153K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning required
  • Minimum 9 years related work experience
  • At least 5 years of managerial experience in a large organization
  • Experience leading a team, project, program, or function required
  • Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic direction for sourcing and contracting functions
  • Manage a team of sourcing professionals to ensure operational excellence
  • Analyze university spending to identify sourcing opportunities
  • Develop policies and strategies for sourcing and contracting
  • Oversee compliance with state and federal procurement regulations
  • Lead initiatives for operational improvements and cost savings
  • Act as an advisor to the CPO on strategic sourcing and contracting matters

Benefits

  • Full benefits package
  • Opportunities for professional development and growth
  • Supportive team environment focused on problem-solving
  • Engagement in strategic decision-making processes
  • Access to advanced technologies and resources for sourcing functions
Full Job Description
Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing & Contracting Services (UPDATED)

Posting Number
req26847

Department
Sourcing & Contracting

Department Website Link
Finance & Budget

Location
Tucson Campus

Address
Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights
Please Note: The Rate of Pay section has been updated from "DOE" to reflect "$117,883 - $153,248" and the Department Name has been updated from "Procure to Pay Operations" to "Sourcing & Contracting".

This position is a leader in the University of Arizona Supply Chain organization, directly overseeing the Strategic Sourcing and Contracting Services units. With support and guidance from the CPO, this role directs and develops the universities' strategic sourcing and contracting strategy with specific focus on category management, contract lifecycle management, contract negotiations, spend analytics, strategic supplier partnerships, contract lifecycle management, risk management, and supplier partner performance.

When you join our team, you will be part of a smart, driven team that thrives on solving complex problems. This position manages personnel, data, and processes associated with the Finance & Budget Division. Critical reporting and analysis processes of the Division include, but are not limited to: University leadership strategic reporting analysis and decision-support, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the annual All Funds planning process, the Annual Operating Budget, Bond Issuance, Payroll, student billing and collection, and strategic business operations support.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Management:
  • Provide high-level direction and strategic planning and research for the university's strategic sourcing and contracting functions, ensuring units are aligned with institutional goals and objectives.
  • Lead and manage a team of strategic sourcing and contracting professionals through direct and indirect supervision, ensuring high performance, professional development, and operational excellence.
  • Oversee comprehensive analysis of university spend categories and purchasing patterns to identify and promote strategic sourcing opportunities and leverage university buying power shifting buying behaviors to strategic partners.
  • Develop and implement comprehensive policies, strategies, and best practices that support the efficient and compliant execution of strategic sourcing and contracting functions.
  • Support the oversight of the university's supply chain functions ensuring adherence to state, federal, and university regulations.

Business Process Optimization:
  • Lead the design, planning, and execution of strategic sourcing and contracting services initiatives to achieve operational excellence, transformational change, and cost savings for the institution.
  • Lead the implementation of advanced technologies and process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery for strategic sourcing and contracting functions.
  • Serve as a university authority on procurement, vendor relationships, ensuring best practices in strategic sourcing, contract management, and cost-saving initiatives.
  • Ensure the university's compliance with procurement laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.

Communication:
  • Act as a key advisor to CPO, offering strategic insights on strategic sourcing and contracting strategies, category management, and risk mitigation to optimize institutional resources.
  • Represent the university in high-level negotiations and partnerships with suppliers, contractors, and service providers, ensuring maximum value and service to the institution.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to support category management, recommend and execute strategic sourcing events, develop criteria for evaluation & selection of proposals.
  • Ad hoc duties as required to ensure the strategic sourcing & contracting teams are successful in meeting our goals and objectives.
  • Direct the continuous development and efficient administration of university strategic sourcing and contracting, ensuring optimal process design and execution.
  • Ensure the university's adherence to all applicable state and federal procurement laws, as well as Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) procurement codes, maintaining the highest standards of compliance and ethical practice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of university enterprise systems and related business principles and processes.
  • Ability to work in an environment driven by team goals and expectations more than individual ones.
  • Industry leading knowledge in strategic sourcing and contracting, processes, and technologies.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to establish rapport with and gain trust of others and to establish cooperative working relationships with a various Office staff and campus community.
  • Ability to work under deadlines and adapt to changes with minimum notice.
  • Ability to prioritize various critical tasks assigned and to negotiate deadlines to meet the overall goals of the Division.
  • Ability to be creative, supportive, and thoughtful in problem-solving, considering the various and occasionally conflicting needs and perspectives of the campus community and the institution.


This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
  • Minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience in a large complex organization, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Experienceleading a team, project, program, or function is required.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's preferred.


FLSA
Exempt

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week
40

Job FTE
1.0

Work Calendar
Fiscal

Job Category
Finance

Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay
$117,883 - $153,248

Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade
13

Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level
M4

Job Family
Sourcing

Job Function
Finance

Type of criminal background check required:
Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to title or department)

Number of Vacancies
1

Target Hire Date
9/28/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates
Andrew Brennan,
[email protected]

Open Date
8/19/2026

Open Until Filled
Yes

Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

About The University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is a public research university in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1885, the UA was the first university in the Arizona Territory. As of 2021, the university enrolls 45,918 students in 19 separate colleges/schools, including the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix and the James E. Rogers College of Law, and is affiliated with two academic medical centers (Banner - University Medical Center Tucson and Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix). The University of Arizona is one of the elected members of the Association of American Universities (an organization of North America's premier research institutions) and is the only representative from the state of Arizona to this group. UA athletes have won national titles in several sports, most notably men's basketball, baseball, and softball. The official colors of the university and its athletic teams are cardinal red and navy blue.
Learn more about The University of Arizona
Size
15,000 employees
Industry

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