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Chief Procurement Officer – District of Columbia Public Schools

 Director (Salary Range: $119,635 to $131,755)


 15-20 Direct reports
 $800 Million Spend Budget
 Reports directly to Chief Operating Officer
Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership.
We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at the District of Columbia Public Schools
(DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant
difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees.

DCPS serves 45,000 students in the nation’s capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 123
schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS
intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and
a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement
gains for DCPS students. The DCPS Central Office supports and guides the efforts of school-based educators and
administrators in DC Public Schools through programs and initiatives within the Offices of Data & Accountability,
Family & Public Engagement, Finance, Human Capital, Operations, Special Education, Teaching & Learning, and
Transformation Management.

DCPS is currently searching for a Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) who will manage 15-20 direct reports and
oversee a budget of $800 million. The CPO will oversee all contracting and acquisition functions through the District
of Columbia Public Schools.

Primary duties:
The Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) serves in a senior level management position located in the Office of
Contracts and Acquisitions (OCA), Executive Office of Management Services, District of Columbia Public
Schools (DCPS) serving as the Executive Agency Chief Contracting Officer (EACCO) with unlimited
delegated signatory authority, requisite from small to large funding and spending levels, which may require
negotiated procurement commitments for up to five years. The CPO, under the direction of the Chief
Operating Officer (COO) is charged with planning, budgeting and procurement systems design to include
providing contracts management, purchasing, and technical assistance to DC public, private, charter and
non-public schools and central office programs so they can legally obtain the services and commodities
they need within budget. The CPO manages a staff composed of supervisory contract specialists, contract
specialists and other personnel performing procurement functions and provides overall direction for the
development, coordination, facilitation, management and planning of the annual acquisition of goods and
services for simplified and complex acquisitions. The incumbent is charged with acquiring and delivering
the goods and services to internal clients throughout the DCPS in a timely, effective, and cost efficient
manner in full compliance with all applicable federal and local laws, rules, and regulations. The CPO also
directly liaises with other DC government agencies, which primarily include the Office of Contracting and
Procurement and the Office of Public Facilities Education Modernization. DCPS is seeking candidates who
are innovative, who take a systems-approach to problem solving, and who are critical thinkers at their core.

8 2 5 No rt h Cap it ol St re et , NE | W as hi n gt on, DC 20002 | T 202. 442.5885 | F 202. 442.5026 | www. k12. dc. us
Responsibilities of the Chief Procurement Officer:

 Provides continual direction and supervision to all procurement staff, delegating a wide range of
procurement functions to the Deputy, supervisory contract specialists and the strategic planning manager;

 Provides superb customer service and promotes culture of good service through the Office of Contracts and
Acquisitions.

 Establishes and adjusts short and long term priorities and appropriateness of procurement strategies;

 Serves as principal contracting advisor and technical expert to senior management, schools and program
management in formulating strategic procurement approaches used in order to maximize buying power,
minimize inefficiencies and ensure performance based contracting and appropriate use and implementation
of the Local Small and Disadvantage Business Enterprises;

 Directs and advises the senior procurement personnel on procurement strategies consisting of methods of
contracting, solicitation development and preparation (inclusive of request for quotes, competitive sealed
bids and proposals), evaluation, negotiation, cost/price analysis, source selection and award, while ensuring
compliance with all District laws and regulations;

 Directs a full range of contract administration inclusive of issuance of contract modifications, negotiation of
changes, exercise of options, contractor performance, issuance of cure notices, termination of contracts for
convenience or default, investigation and resolution of contractor claims contract/invoice payment, data
base management (documenting and tracking contract award and expiration), facilitation of new contract
development/ award, and/or contract closeouts;

 Conducts and oversees quality assurance and assures legal sufficiency of all contractual actions
recommended for review and approval.

 Maintains a collaborative and effective working relationship with internal and external key stakeholders to
keep abreast of best practices, pricing trends, market conditions, new products and technologies through
active association with national societies, professional associations, other governmental entities,
cooperative purchasing groups, and private businesses;

 Directs staff development, selection and implementation of e-procurement solutions to enhance the
effectiveness of operations and efficiency of OCA in providing services to DCPS;

 Establishes and maintains sound performance measurements to drive the continuous improvement of OCA
operations;

 Facilitates the development and implementation of staff procurement training plans, serves as a mentor, and
encourages the professional development of all staff;

 Analyzes staffing patterns, workload data, organizational structures and charts, and other pertinent
information to develop a broad overview of areas of continuous success and improvement for OCA;

 Develops, reviews and implements standard operating procedures, procurement policies and procedures for
the procurement staff, end users and suppliers;

8 2 5 No rt h Cap it ol St re et , NE | W as hi n gt on, DC 20002 | T 202. 442.5885 | F 202. 442.5026 | www. k12. dc. us
 Develops, recommends, administers and monitors the annual OCA budget;

 Exercises delegated managerial authority to set a series of annual, multiyear or similar long-range work
plans and schedules for in-house or contracted work;

 Provides administrative and policy direction of broadly defined goals and objectives;

 Reviews and approves the substance of reports, decisions, contracts or other actions to assure they
accurately reflect OCA’s policies, mission, and goals and objectives;

 Provides direct supervision over subordinate supervisors and their support staff;

 Creates, edits, and presents contracts for final approval and manages contracts awarded on behalf of OCA;

 Researches and recommends new and innovative methods to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
the OCA processes;

 Maintains the integrity of the public procurement process at all times.

Managerial Responsibilities
 Coordinates interagency collaborations and cross function meetings with the Office of the Chief Operating
Officer, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Partnerships and
the District Office of Contracts and Acquisitions city-wide.

 Assigns, directs, and reviews the work of subordinate managers and supervisors;

 Provides and ensures comprehensive on-the-job training for all employees, as well as applicable training
outside of the department or developmental program and back-up skills by cross-training subordinates to
enhance their professional growth and development;

 Evaluates the work performance of subordinate managers and supervisors;

 Possesses authority to recommend and make job selections, promotions, personnel status changes,
incentives, adverse/disciplinary action, and separation, etc., for the office;

 Plans, schedules, and coordinates work efforts with subordinate managerial and supervisory staff to
promote team concept;

 Solves complex problems associated with work operations;

 Determines the most appropriate and up-to-date materials, equipment, and resources needed;

 Explains and gains the support of all employees regarding management and departmental policies and
goals, e.g., cost reduction, safety, etc., and works to achieve the objectives of department and District-wide
programs and policies;

 Solves unprecedented technical problems encountered by subordinates;

 Approves and disapproves leave requests; and

8 2 5 No rt h Cap it ol St re et , NE | W as hi n gt on, DC 20002 | T 202. 442.5885 | F 202. 442.5026 | www. k12. dc. us
 Communicates effectively with all employees and representatives on employee suggestions, complaints,
grievances, and other matters involved in day-to-day operations.

Qualifications

 Mastery of procurement regulations and contracting principles including the latest procedures and
techniques.

 Ability to manage complex pricing arrangements, cost accounting, and life cycle costing sufficient to plan,
develop, implement, maintain, and administer all contractual aspects of a systems acquisition program.

 Ability to develop innovative contractual language, terms and conditions; and to serve as program
contractual authority and advisor on the acceptability and applicability of contractual matters related to the
acquisition program.

 Ability to coordinate a variety of contractual actions occurring concurrently with overlapping processes.

 Mastery of negotiation techniques to serve as the lead negotiator in developing pre-negotiation strategy, in
conducting negotiations for the acquisition of a system, and in directing or performing post-award
negotiations involving contract changes or modifications.

 Exceptional customer service and people skills and ability to handle challenges with grace.

Additional Desired Characteristics


 Team orientation and willingness to contribute at all levels to ensure successful implementation;
 An approach that involves being a self-motivated and proactive problem solver with the ability to work
independently;
 Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to manage a highly talented and dedicated workforce;
 Demonstrated ability to problem solve efficiently and resolve organizational roadblocks;
 Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills and
 The love of a challenge and the committed work ethic of a champion.

Education Requirements/Professional Qualifications

Master’s degree in business or finance preferred with at least 8-12 years or related work experience.

Personal qualities of top candidates


• Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless
of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.
• Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school
leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities
for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
• Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines; successfully
manages own projects through strong organization, detailed workplans, and balancing of multiple priorities.

8 2 5 No rt h Cap it ol St re et , NE | W as hi n gt on, DC 20002 | T 202. 442.5885 | F 202. 442.5026 | www. k12. dc. us
• Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to
meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
• Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders
in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.
• Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and
supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others.
• Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.

To Apply
Please email your resume and cover letter to susan.cheng@dc.gov.

Questions?
If you have any questions, please email our Chief Operating Officer: anthony.tata@dc.gov or
susan.cheng@dc.gov

8 2 5 No rt h Cap it ol St re et , NE | W as hi n gt on, DC 20002 | T 202. 442.5885 | F 202. 442.5026 | www. k12. dc. us

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