Working/Functional Title
Asst. Director - Governance & Engagement
Position Summary
MSU Procurement seeks a collaborative, strategic Assistant Director to lead and develop teams, strengthen operations, and advance services. The role oversees supplier management, compliance, PCard, contracts, reporting, and systems governance. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset to strengthen partnerships and advance compliant, effective procurement.
The Assistant Director provides strategic and operational leadership for a broad portfolio of MSU Procurement services, including supplier risk, supplier lifecycle management, PCard, contract coordination, compliance, procurement data reporting, procurement planning, and systems governance. The position provides institutional leadership for procurement governance and compliance, strengthening policies, internal controls, monitoring, and corrective actions to address applicable federal, state, local, sponsor, and University requirements and mitigate institutional risk. Working collaboratively with the Chief Procurement Officer, Procurement leadership, and University partners, the Assistant Director anticipates emerging needs, strengthens organizational capabilities, and develops sustainable services, governance practices, and solutions that advance procurement and University priorities.
The Assistant Director builds partnerships across MSU and with external organizations, aligns stakeholders around shared priorities, and represents Procurement in collaborative initiatives that advance University interests.
The position supervises leaders and professionals across multiple functions, sets priorities and performance expectations, develops organizational capability, and contributes to strategy, budgeting, and resource allocation. The Assistant Director represents the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) in campus meetings and may act on the CPO’s behalf in assigned matters.
What You'll Do
Governance and Institutional Stewardship
- Oversee compliance monitoring across assigned programs, using metrics, audit findings, and stakeholder feedback to identify noncompliance, control weaknesses, institutional risks, and corrective actions.
- Direct resolution of complex compliance issues, policy exceptions, audit findings, and suspected noncompliance. Coordinate with Audit, Risk and Compliance, General Counsel, the Controller’s Office, and other partners to implement mitigation and corrective action.
- Establish and strengthen procurement governance, compliance policies, procedures, internal controls, guidance, and decision-making practices for University purchasing and signature authority.
- Interpret applicable federal, state, local, sponsor, and University requirements and direct changes to maintain compliance and mitigate risk.
- Make decisions on sensitive or enterprise-level issues, balancing institutional objectives, service, operational needs, compliance, and risk.
- Contribute to Procurement strategy, organizational planning, and resource allocation; act on behalf of the Chief Procurement Officer in assigned matters.
Enterprise Strategy and Service Development
- Lead assigned procurement functions, setting priorities, service expectations, performance measures, and resource strategies aligned with University objectives.
- Anticipate emerging University needs, compliance risks, regulatory changes, and opportunities; develop and implement responsive programs, services, systems, and capabilities.
- Oversee procurement compliance education, training, and guidance for University departments and delegated authorities, addressing regulatory requirements, policy changes, emerging risks, and identified noncompliance. Use data and feedback to assess effectiveness and sustain improvements.
Supervision and Leadership Development
- Directly supervise and develop supervisors, leads, and professionals across multiple functions, setting expectations for performance, accountability, collaboration, and service.
- Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development; address capacity and performance needs, support change, and resolve complex issues.
- Lead workforce and succession planning, cross-training, and leadership development to meet evolving University needs.
University and External Partnerships
- Build and maintain strategic relationships across Procurement and the University, including senior leaders, delegated authorities, academic and administrative units, and key institutional partners, to understand needs, resolve complex issues, build alignment, and advance shared institutional priorities. Represent Procurement in committees, initiatives, and cross-functional efforts.
- Represent the Chief Procurement Officer in campus meetings, in person or virtually and sometimes on short notice, providing leadership and follow-up on assigned matters.
- Develop relationships with peer institutions, agencies, professional associations, consortia, suppliers, and partners such as the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA).
- Use these partnerships to identify emerging practices and risks, share expertise, pursue collaboration, and advance University interests.
Functional Performance and Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate assigned functions using performance data, operational reviews, benchmarking, and stakeholder feedback to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.
- Prioritize improvements to processes, technology, policies, training, reporting, and service delivery to increase effectiveness and responsiveness.
- Oversee implementation and assessment of improvements with functional leaders and University partners to achieve sustainable, measurable results.
Work Modality
This position is "remote-friendly" within Michigan, with the expectation of a regular on-campus presence. This is typically referred to as "Hybrid", with the flexibility of regular remote work mixed with in-office work as mutually agreed upon with the supervisor.
Salary Expectations
Salary is commensurate with experience.
Minimum Requirements
The job requires knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business or Public Administration, or a closely related field; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive experience in procurement, supply chain, or related enterprise services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Master of Business Administration, Juris Doctorate, Master of Supply Chain Management, or other relevant advanced degree; CPSM, CPPO, CPPB, or equivalent professional certification strongly desired.
- Experience in higher education, public procurement, research procurement, or another large, decentralized, or complex regulatory environment, with broad experience across procurement, supply chain, risk, compliance, supplier management, analytics, systems, governance, or related functions.
- Demonstrated success leading and developing supervisors, managers, and professionals, with strength in coaching, mentorship, performance management, succession planning, and building leadership and organizational capability.
- Demonstrated strategic and change leadership, including the ability to anticipate organizational needs; develop, expand, or transform programs and services; build support for change; and translate strategy into sustainable capabilities and measurable results.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships and influence across organizational boundaries, including bringing together senior leaders and diverse stakeholders, navigating differing priorities, and creating alignment around shared institutional objectives.
- Strong executive communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to credibly represent an organization and develop productive relationships with peer institutions, professional associations, governmental or regulatory agencies, consortia, suppliers, and other external partners.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Application Materials
To be considered for this position, your application must include all of the following:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Three Professional References
Applications that do not include all required materials will not be considered.
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Website
https://procurement.msu.edu/
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Bidding eligibility ends November 10, 2026, 11:55 PM
