Director, Contract Management

New York is leading the nation in the fight on global climate change and the transition to a clean energy-powered economy. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) has created the most aggressive climate change goals in the nation and requires an ambitious agenda that blends proven catalysts with innovative approaches while operating across a broader energy arena that is rapidly evolving. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a driving force in realizing this agenda. NYSERDA works with stakeholders that span residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

• Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.
• Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
• Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably from energy efficiency and renewable energy.
  
  

Job Overview

The Director, Contract Management leads the Contract Management Team in providing ongoing oversight and improvement of NYSERDA's contracting process and to serve a critical leadership role in making NYSERDA more responsive and easier to use for customers, partners, and colleagues, while adhering to NYSERDA’s Policies and Practices. The Director will lead the full range of contracting and procurement activities in NYSERDA's high volume government contracting environment. The Director will enable colleagues to perform their work more seamlessly, timely, and effectively, while appropriately minimizing the risk NYSERDA undertakes in its contracting.

Primary Responsibilities

Essential Functions and Duties include but are not limited to:

• Lead NYSERDA's contract management team in managing the Authority's contracting and procurement activities
• Drive and foster a customer-service orientation to contracting thereby enabling staff throughout NYSERDA to perform timely and effective contracting of the programs, projects, goods, and services that are critical to executing the Authority's strategy
• Oversee and manage the full lifecycle of contracting and procurement activities including competitive solicitations, contract negotiation, administration, modification, and closeout As an Authorized Signatory for NYSERDA, ensure all contracts are reviewed and signed in a timely and compliant manner.
• Ensure development of and compliance with contracting policies and procedures consistent with regulations and NYSERDA policies
• Effectively manage risk, perform risk analysis for all contractual documents, and recommend mitigating options
• Serve as Procurement Officer for the MWBE and SDVOB programs overseeing compliance and reporting
• Collaborate with colleagues in program and administrative teams to identify contracting processes improvements, problem-solve, and overcome constraints
• Deploy improvements to contracting processes that enable the Authority to contract for new programs, manage risk, simplify customer and partner interfaces, reduce cycle times, support internal workflow, enable programmatic flexibility, support robust reporting, and reduce cost
• Partner with, train, and support colleagues throughout the Authority to enable their success in adhering to NYS Procurement regulations and managing the Authority's risk
• Seek opportunities to foster transparency in the Authority's contracting processes to ensure a shared sense of accountability for success in the Authority's contracting
• Manage department administrative and program budgets. Be proficient in budget and outcome reporting to ensure the allocated budget is used appropriately. Proactively manage variances to prevent cost overruns and effectively reallocate funds if needed.
• Identify and execute opportunities to develop staff and colleagues to meet the Authority’s goals and their own professional goals serve as a mentor and a role model. Guide professional development (training, experience, and exposure) for each member of the team.
• Build camaraderie, accountability, and execution excellence within the team.
• Work with colleagues, partners and other State Agencies and Authorities to identify opportunities to establish and evolve solutions that advance supplier diversity or procurement activities
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned
  
  

Position Requirements:

• Ability to perform all managerial and supervisory responsibilities with demonstrated experience fostering respect, diversity, equity and inclusion across the workforce.
• Able to execute NYSERDA policies and procedures, with emphasis on competitive procurement requirements. Able to explain policy and procedure requirements to others.
• Able to guide, direct, or influence people. Is resilient, persuasive and earns credibility by delegating and being adaptable. Listens and understands various points of views.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability; ability to leverage necessary resources to develop and communicate robust processes.
• Strong team builder with an ability to build productive relationships across a diverse organization.
• Skill in managing multiple diverse activities simultaneously, delivering on commitments and operating with speed, accuracy, and strong judgment.
• Track record as an exceptional manager, coach, mentor, and developer of talent with a predisposition toward investing in the success of colleagues.
• An ability to drive to big picture goals and solve strategic problems, while valuing and maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Top-notch presentation and interpersonal skills that resonate with audiences of different backgrounds; the ability to communicate persuasively, concisely, and unambiguously in speech and in writing.
• Strong work ethic.
• Resolute integrity.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or other science disciplines
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in operations, contract management or program management including 7 years of progressive supervisory or management experience
• Excellence in the Microsoft Office 365 suite of tools
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, engineering or other science disciplines
• 8 years of relevant experience in operations, contract management or program management including 7 years of progressive supervisory or management experience
• Experience in Government Procurement
• Experience in a Government service organization
• Experiences with Salesforce, SharePoint, Oracle Peoplesoft (or other ERP system), Asana, Confluence, Tableau highly desirable
  
  

Please submit two files, one for your cover letter and another for a resume.

Please note that during the application process, you may be prompted to opt-in to Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) scoring. This is an automatic request in the ADP system but is not a feature that is used by NYSERDA in its recruiting and hiring process. Your response will have no impact on your application to NYSERDA.

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