Senior Director, Procure to Pay Services

This position is a leader in the University of Arizona Supply Chain organization, directly overseeing the Procure to Pay Services unit. This unit consists of both tactical procurement and accounts payable. With support and guidance from the CPO, this role directs and develops the universities’ procure to pay strategy with specific focus on tactical procurement and accounts payable, system operations, business process analysis, federal and state compliance, and supplier relationship management.

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.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

Strategic Leadership and Management:

• Provide high-level direction and strategic planning for the university’s procure to pay functions, ensuring units are aligned with institutional goals and objectives.
• Lead and manage a multifaceted team of procurement and accounts payable professionals through direct and indirect supervision, ensuring high performance, professional development, and operational excellence.
• Oversee comprehensive analysis of procurement and accounts payable business systems, processes, and workflow.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies, policies, and best practices that support the efficient and compliant execution of procure to pay functions on behalf of the institution.
• Establish team and individual metrics and quantitative objectives for performance consistent with objectives for cost, quality, and service.
• 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 procure to pay initiatives and policies to achieve operational excellence, transformational change, and cost savings on behalf of the institution.
• Lead the implementation of advanced technologies and process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery for procure to pay functions.
• Serve as a university authority on procurement, accounts payable, and supplier relationships, ensuring best practices in tactical procurement and accounts payable.
• Ensure the university’s compliance with procurement laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Lead the development of ongoing continuous improvement for tactical procurement and accounts payable strategies without compromising quality or reliability of supply or disrupting academic, teaching, research, or business operations.

Communication:

• Act as a key advisor to CPO, offering strategic insights on procure to pay strategies and supply chain technologies 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 efficient business process, recommend and execute departmental business process evaluations.
• Ad hoc duties as required to ensure the procure to pay team is successful in meeting our goals and objectives.
• Direct the continuous development and efficient administration of university procure to pay unit, 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 procure to pay, 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 multifaceted 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 varying 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.

• 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.
• Experience leading a team, project, program, or function is typically required.