Executive Director, Strategic Procurements & Specialized Instruction/Related Services, DCP - 27008

About the Role

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is the largest school system in the nation, serving nearly 1 million students with 135,000 employees, including over 80,000 teachers, and an annual budget of $38 billion. The Division of Contracts and Purchasing (DCP) oversees all contracts and non-contracted spend, governed by the Procurement Policies & Procedures (PPP).

The Executive Director, Strategic Procurements & Specialized Instruction/Related Services will lead the strategic direction, operational excellence, and long-term vision for one of NYCPS’s largest procurement portfolios. This role ensures procurement strategies align with organizational priorities, maximize public value, and improve outcomes for students and schools. The Executive Director will oversee vendor resource activities for Central Office, Funded, Special Services Procurements, Grants, Directed City Council allocations, Pre-Kindergarten, and Related Services, with a focus on Chancellor and Mayoral priorities across City, tax levy, and grant funding streams.

This position involves proactive collaboration with clients to review contracts, advise on rebidding or resolicitation opportunities, and maximize awards and subcontracting to Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs). The Executive Director will work closely with Deputy Chief Procurement Officers (DCPOs), the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), and other key stakeholders to align procurement strategies with the broader vision of NYCPS and City Hall. Data-driven decision-making and accountability will guide the team’s work.

The role leads a team of 10-15 staff, including procurement analysts, coordinators, directors, and project managers, as well as a Deputy Executive Director. This large-scale procurement operation involves over 150 contracts annually, enabling schools to function and children to learn.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Portfolio Leadership
  • Set robust contract goals and pace for a high-performing portfolio, ensuring excellent customer service.
  • Establish the long-term strategic vision, performance objectives, and operational priorities for a $1 billion procurement portfolio.
  • Drive excellence in procurement services for Strategic Procurements and Specialized Instruction/Related Services to maximize student outcomes.
  • Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight, aligning procurement with agency priorities, fiscal stewardship, and educational initiatives.
  • Shape procurement strategy by anticipating legislative, regulatory, and industry trends, advising leadership on policy direction and organizational impact.
  • Serve as a steward for the portfolio, anticipating the needs of client offices and schools, primarily the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (e.g., Special Education Office, Office of Related Services, Office of Multilingual Learners) and the Office of School Health.
  • Proactively plan and understand client procurement needs to ensure smooth operations and successful initiative implementation.
  • Partner with NYCPS executive leadership to develop procurement strategies addressing emerging priorities and operational risks.
  • Direct the team in leveraging negotiated services, sole sources, and M/WBE PCMs effectively.
  • Review active contracts to recommend rebids or new procurements, maximizing M/WBE participation and cost savings.
  • Monitor policy and process changes related to students with disabilities and multilingual learners, ensuring client offices are supported.
  • Develop enterprise performance metrics and executive dashboards to monitor portfolio performance and drive continuous improvement.
  • Lead, support, and develop team members to deliver top-tier service, stepping in for relationship management as needed.
  • Support client offices in vendor engagement for Chancellor and Mayoral initiatives, ensuring strong customer service.
  • Review contract statuses for opportunities to engage M/WBEs as prime or subcontractors.
  • Develop and execute long-range strategic plans to modernize procurement operations and improve organizational effectiveness.
  • Advise the Chief Procurement Officer and executive leadership on procurement risks, emerging issues, and strategic opportunities.
  • Lead large-scale organizational change initiatives to improve procurement policies, systems, and service delivery.
  • Establish governance frameworks and performance standards for accountability, transparency, and operational excellence.
  • Champion innovative procurement methodologies, technology solutions, and process redesign initiatives.
• Contract Administration
  • Direct the successful execution of a high-volume procurement portfolio encompassing over 150 contracts annually.
  • Establish procedures, protocols, and process improvements for contract and procurement activities, ensuring team compliance.
  • Support client offices on vendor engagement strategies with related services providers and other vendors.
  • Lead, facilitate, and oversee corrective action when contractors fail to meet contractual obligations.
  • Oversee contract processes from pre-solicitation to award, including drafting and reviewing procurement documents.
  • Lead procurement staff in specifications, pricing negotiations, and vendor engagements.
  • Facilitate procurement training for program professionals, administrators, school staff, principals, and business managers.
  • Ensure contract timelines and deliverables are met efficiently.
  • Establish executive reporting mechanisms for senior leadership on procurement performance, contract lifecycle management, and operational risks.
• Policy Compliance
  • Enforce agency compliance with laws, including NYS General Municipal Laws, Chancellor’s Regulations, and Mayoral policies.
  • Provide executive oversight of procurement governance, ensuring compliance with applicable laws while promoting accountability and transparency.
  • Explore contract leveraging opportunities with other municipalities for cost savings and efficiency.
  • Collaborate with city and state agencies (DCAS and NYS OGS) to find collaborative contracting opportunities.
  • Advise staff and leaders on procurement policies and updates, developing training materials for transparency.
  • Champion strategic supplier diversity initiatives to expand equitable contracting opportunities and advance M/WBE objectives.
  • Prepare briefings for senior leadership on compliance and procurement status.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert in contract management training.
• Executive Leadership
  • Provide executive leadership to a multidisciplinary team of directors, project managers, analysts, and coordinators, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Build organizational capacity through succession planning, leadership development, coaching, and strategic workforce planning.
  • Promote an inclusive, high-performing work environment aligned with NYCPS leadership values.
  • Drive organizational excellence through performance management and talent development initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications
  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four (4) years of full-time professional experience in purchasing, procurement, contract administration, or a related field, with at least eighteen months in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity supervising professional personnel; or
  • A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the above, with the same eighteen months of administrative, managerial, executive, or supervisory experience.
  • Possession of an acceptable professional procurement certification may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) lifetime certification or NIGP - Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB) certification.
  • 10+ years of executive leadership experience.
  • Excellent follow-up skills and ability to work with urgency in a fast-paced environment.
  • Deep experience and expertise in education and workforce development.
  • Wide experience working with education clients, including schools, districts, higher education, state and federal agencies, policymakers, colleges, universities, businesses, and community organizations.
  • Excellent written and spoken communication skills; ability to organize facts and present information clearly and concisely.
  • Strong interpersonal skills for engaging with education and non-education personnel, both internal and external to NYCPS.
  • Demonstrated ability to build consensus and influence executive stakeholders across large, complex organizations.
  • Strategic thinking and ability to translate insights into action.
  • Proven success leading large-scale initiatives in complex, fast-paced public sector environments.
  • Experience developing innovative solutions to complex operational and policy challenges, with independent analytical skills.
  • Ability to analyze problems quickly and capture key elements.
  • Proven leadership with attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to work under pressure.
  • Superior organizational, analytical, verbal, and customer interface skills.

Key Relationships

This role collaborates with:

• All levels of DCP staff, including the Chief and Deputy Chief Procurement Officers.
• NYCPS Office of General Counsel and Office of Supplier Diversity.
• New York City Comptroller’s Office, Law Department, Office of Management and Budget, and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).
• Mayor’s Office of Contract Services and New York State Office of General Services (OGS).
• Various NYCPS Central Offices, Superintendents' Offices, Division of School Leadership, and NYC Public/Non-Public Schools.
• Vendors and other internal/external stakeholders.