Procurement Lead, State and Local Government

Accountabilities:

• Lead the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, from initial scoping and requirements definition through RFP development, vendor questions, and support for contract execution.
• Serve as a procurement subject matter expert for clients and internal engagement teams, providing strategic guidance throughout competitive procurement initiatives.
• Lead the development, drafting, review, and finalization of complex Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and related procurement materials.
• Manage and mentor a team of 2–4 professionals, establishing priorities, assigning responsibilities, and maintaining clear accountability across the RFP development process.
• Coordinate closely with multiple engagement workstreams to ensure consistent objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with client executives and key stakeholders, acting as a strategic advisor throughout procurement engagements.
• Design and facilitate workshops, adapt communication approaches to different audiences, and help stakeholders build consensus around procurement decisions.
• Apply advanced project management practices to establish schedules, milestones, deliverables, and quality standards.
• Proactively identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to maintain momentum and meet delivery commitments.
• Prepare clear reports and analyses covering project progress, challenges, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure project outcomes meet established success criteria, including procurement compliance, high-quality deliverables, client satisfaction, and on-time execution.
• Review potential IT vendor respondents as required to identify and address potential conflicts of interest before an offer is finalized.

Requirements:

• 8+ years of proven project management experience, ideally involving complex procurement or consulting engagements.
• Demonstrated experience developing competitive IT procurements within the public sector, particularly for state government clients.
• Experience with Health and Human Services (HHS) competitive procurements is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• PMP or another relevant professional certification is preferred.
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, requirements development, RFP creation, and vendor management.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with demonstrated confidence presenting to and advising executive-level stakeholders.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management capabilities, with the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics.
• Advanced analytical and critical-thinking skills, combined with exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, mentoring, and decision-making skills.
• High ethical standards and sound judgment when managing sensitive procurement processes and potential conflicts of interest.

Benefits:

• Remote work opportunity.
• Contract position focused on state and local government procurement consulting.
• Opportunity to lead complex public-sector IT procurement engagements.
• Leadership responsibility for a focused team of procurement professionals.
• Exposure to executive-level stakeholders and strategic government technology initiatives.
• Opportunity to influence vendor selection and procurement outcomes for critical technology and services.
• Professional growth through complex project management, procurement strategy, and client advisory responsibilities.