Senior procurement contract specialist

A Senior Procurement Contract Specialist plays a vital role within UVA Procurement Services by managing the full contract lifecycle, from drafting and negotiation through execution, renewal, and closeout. Serving as a key liaison between Procurement, schools/units, and suppliers, this role ensures that UVA contracts are accurate, compliant, and structured to deliver long-term value. This position contributes to UVA’s mission of stewardship, service, and collaboration by ensuring that contracts support academic, health, and research operations with integrity, efficiency, and accountability.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Contract Drafting and Negotiation: Prepare, review, and edit contracts, proposals, and amendments to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with UVA’s business needs and policies. Negotiate favorable terms (pricing, service levels, risk allocation) while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure agreements comply with applicable laws, Commonwealth of Virginia procurement requirements, and UVA policies. Identify and mitigate legal, financial, and operational risks through careful contract analysis and consultation with Procurement leadership and University Counsel.
• Contract Lifecycle Management: Oversee contracts from initiation through execution, renewal, and termination. Track key deadlines (renewals, expirations, performance milestones) and proactively alert stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration: Partner with schools, departments, and suppliers to align contract deliverables with institutional goals. Work closely with the Procurement services staff to ensure seamless P2P execution.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and comprehensive records and documentation for all contracts, including drafts, revisions, and executed agreements in UVA official system of record, ensuring transparency and accessibility.
• Dispute Resolution: Assist with resolving disputes or performance concerns in coordination with Procurement leadership, suppliers, and University Counsel.

Essential skills and qualifications:

• Knowledge of contract law, procurement regulations, and higher-ed/state contracting frameworks.
• Strong negotiation skills with ability to balance risk and value.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to explain complex provisions to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and organizational skills to manage multiple contracts and deadlines.
• Proficiency in contract management systems and enterprise tools (Workday or similar).
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, law, or related field.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CPCM, NCMA) preferred.

This is a Hybrid position and is not eligible for remote work status.

This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future.

Please apply online, and search for R0088292. Complete an application online with the following documents: Resume, Cover letter. Upload all materials into the resume submission field; multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.

For finalists, references will be completed via UVA’s standardized process using SkillSurvey. A total of up to five references will be requested via SkillSurvey for top candidates during the final phase of the interview process. A total of three references is required.

For questions about the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@virginia.edu.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Bachelor's degree. 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience: At least two years of relevant experience.
• Licensure: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.