Associate Director of Procurement, Travel & Card Services

Associate Director of Procurement, Travel & Card Services

Will this position be Onsite, Remote, or Hybrid? Will this position be Onsite, Remote, or Hybrid? Onsite

Posting Number NC0092026

Working Title Associate Director of Procurement, Travel & Card Services

Department Org 704000 - Purchasing

We are excited that you are considering joining the UCA Family—the faculty, staff, students and alumni—who make the University of Central Arkansas a great place to work! At the University of Central Arkansas, we value our employees striving to maintain a work‑life balance. We realize that this affects the overall well‑being of employees while learning to prioritize challenging work and the ability to make a difference.

Participation in university‑wide remote work days may be available for certain positions. Training is provided on systems or job‑specific software, and tools are available supporting professional and personal development. The benefits package allows you to customize your benefits to meet your current needs, with the ability to adjust them as your priorities change. This includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, 80% tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a retirement program with university contributions of 10% of employee salary.

Also available are health and wellness incentives, as well as access to sports and cultural activities on campus for the family, free gym membership and equipment rentals.

Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff, engaged in administering programs of academic institutions and departments. Recruit, hire, train, and recommend termination of departmental personnel. Formulate strategic plans for the department. Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, maintain department inventory and various reports. Establish operational policies and procedures and make any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, changes to state laws and policies, and other research information.

Participate in staff and college committee meetings and activities. Represent the institution at campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during the accreditation processes. Promote the university by participating in community, state, and national events, conferences or meetings, and by developing partnerships with vendors and other higher education institutions.

Manages daily operations and implements strategic plans for the department, acting as a key link between staff and the Director by handling supervision, goal setting, budgeting, and problem‑solving, ensuring smooth execution of organizational objectives. Lead teams, develop staff, monitor performance, and often handle more complex tasks, reports progress and seeks approval from the Director. Must maintain timely and effective communication with the departmental team members, university staff and contractors.

Must implement, train and rollout the university’s contract management system. Responsible for making sure work is delegated appropriately and projects are completed in a timely manner. Responsible for the development and issuance of Request for Proposals and Request for Qualifications. Conducts bid openings.

• Excellent leadership skills; ability to lead a team (e.g., organizing, planning, problem‑solving, and decision‑making) necessary for effective management; ability to manage work of others to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Knowledge of project management principles and program management experience.
• Ability to undertake large, long‑term projects, develop alternative methods for completion, and implement solutions.
• Mastery of procurement processes (sourcing and operational) in an indirect procurement landscape.
• Expertise with sourcing and contract lifecycle management.
• Experience with category management, strategic sourcing, procurement operations, and vendor risk management.
• Well‑developed skills in contract…