Director, Information Technology Procurement - Financial Operations

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Description:

The Director of IT Procurement leads sourcing and procurement strategies for all information technology goods and services, including hardware, software, cloud solutions, telecommunications, research computing technologies, and IT-related professional services.

 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Procurement, this role is responsible for optimizing technology spend, ensuring contract compliance, and partnering closely with IT leadership to support the university's academic and administrative technology needs.

 

The Director may manage a small staff and is expected to build a collaborative, strategic, and service-oriented procurement function. The role will work cross functionally with Information Technology Services (ITS), Cybersecurity, Legal, Risk Management, and key campus stakeholders to deliver value, mitigate risk, and support innovation across the university.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develops and executes a comprehensive procurement strategy for IT hardware, software, cloud services, licensing models, maintenance/support agreements, and IT consulting.
• Analyzes technology spend, vendor trends, product lifecycle considerations, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for cost reduction, consolidation, and improved service levels.
• Leads sourcing events (RFPs, RFIs, RFQs) tailored to IT requirements such as interoperability, architecture alignment, security, and performance.
• Leads negotiations for complex IT contracts including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), enterprise software, cloud computing, on prem and hosted solutions, hardware refresh programs, and telecommunications services.
• Ensures contracts include appropriate data security, privacy, accessibility, service-level, and compliance protections (e.g., FERPA, GDPR, accessibility standards).
• Partners with Legal and Cybersecurity on contract terms related to data handling, breach notification, vendor risk, and intellectual property.
• Provides coaching and professional development to procurement staff supporting IT categories.
• Models a culture of customer service, continuous improvement, innovation, and strategic thinking.
• Promotes procurement best practices across the IT and university communities.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to CIOs, IT directors, and technical teams, providing guidance on sourcing strategy, contract structure, market trends, and vendor capabilities.
• Facilitates alignment between technical requirements and procurement best practices to achieve the best value for the university.
• Builds strong cross campus relationships to understand academic computing, administrative technology needs, and long term infrastructure strategies.
• Oversees vendor performance reviews, escalations, SLAs, and relationship governance for major IT suppliers.
• Manages enterprise level agreements with major IT providers (e.g., Microsoft, Apple, Dell, AWS/Azure, ERP vendors).
• Supports hardware lifecycle planning, refresh strategies, licensing renewals, and vendor rationalization initiatives.
• Improves procurement processes, workflows, and systems for IT purchasing to increase efficiency and transparency.
• Ensures compliance with university policies, cybersecurity standards, procurement regulations, and ethical purchasing practices.
• Tracks and reports key metrics related to cost savings, contract value, vendor performance, and risk mitigation.
• Performs related responsibilities as required. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Finance, or a related field and eight years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience which includes IT procurement or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Master's degree or professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CPPO, ITIL, PMP) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating IT contracts, software licensing, cloud agreements, or telecommunications services.
• Strong understanding of IT procurement issues such as cybersecurity, data privacy, SaaS licensing models, and lifecycle management.
• Experience managing or mentoring individuals or teams. Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Experience working in higher education or a similarly complex, decentralized organization and familiarity with ERP systems, ITSM solutions, or procurement systems preferred.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs.  Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Additional Details:

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at accessibility@emory.edu or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.