Senior Associate Director, Procurement Reform

The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) is New York City’s central oversight and service agency for procurement. MOCS manages the full procurement lifecycle citywide from planning and solicitation through contracting and vendor payment. Each year, City agencies procure billions of dollars in goods and services from a diverse vendor community representing a wide range of industries.

MOCS is committed to ensuring that the City’s procurement process is fair, transparent, efficient, and cost-effective. The agency advances this mission through the use of end-to-end technology solutions, expanded public access to procurement data, and direct engagement with agencies, vendors, and other stakeholders. MOCS also partners closely with City agencies to identify opportunities for policy and process reform, reducing administrative burden while increasing the positive impact of City services on communities. The MOCS Director serves as the City Chief Procurement Officer.

Organizational Culture and Leadership Expectations
MOCS operates in a collaborative, service-oriented environment that values flexibility, accountability, and results. Managers are expected to lead teams and/or core service areas, assuming increasing levels of responsibility for advancing the agency’s strategic priorities.
All managers align daily operations with agency goals, engage stakeholders in planning and execution, and drive performance using clear success metrics and sound people and project management practices. MOCS maintains a lean staffing model, and managers are expected to both supervise staff and actively contribute to programmatic work. Managers serve as ambassadors for the organization and are entrusted with handling confidential matters, promoting agency priorities, de-escalating conflict, and proactively escalating risks and opportunities with recommended solutions. Senior Associate Directors oversee significant areas of service, may supervise other Associate Directors, and may serve as Deputy Division Heads.

Division Overview
The Procurement Operations Division is composed of task forces that support mayoral agencies across all industry categories. These teams work to optimize procurement processes by:
Supporting agency and vendor onboarding, including nonprofits and Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), to the Procurement and Sourcing Solutions Portal (PASSPort)
Advancing policy initiatives that promote fair, responsible, and timely procurement
Facilitating sourcing, contracting, and financial transactions
Providing responsive customer support to agencies and vendors
In addition, MOCS conducts reviews of construction contracts to ensure compliance with applicable City, State, and Federal procurement rules, statutes, and Comptroller Directives.

The Senior Associate Director, Procurement Reform plays a key leadership role in advancing citywide procurement reform initiatives. This position leads teams, advises agencies on procurement strategy, evaluates complex procurements, and supports policy and operational improvements that enhance transparency, accountability, and performance across the City’s contracting ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities
Procurement Reform and Strategic Leadership
Lead and manage an internal team supporting citywide efforts to design and implement challenge-based procurements, from defining challenge scopes to assisting agencies in developing methods to assess feasibility under the Demonstration Project procurement framework.
Review procurement business workflows across mayoral agencies and recommend revisions or reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
Support the development and execution of MOCS-led procurements, providing strategic, operational, and policy guidance.
Analysis, Oversight, and Risk Mitigation
Investigate and analyze complex procurements and contracts, collaborating with internal MOCS teams to ensure compliance, alignment, and effective outcomes.
Develop research plans and recommend strategies to identify, prevent, and address fraud or mismanagement within the City’s procurement and contracting processes; implement approved strategies as appropriate.
Advisory and Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as a PASSPort and procurement subject matter expert and trusted policy advisor to City agencies.
Assist agencies with procurement planning, strategic sourcing, and financial transaction management.
Represent MOCS at conferences, webinars, and professional forums related to procurement, contracting, and supply chain best practices.
Enhance the impact of agency-wide initiatives through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Professional Development and Special Projects
Engage in ongoing professional development to strengthen expertise in procurement, technology, government operations, public policy, and people and change management.
Lead or contribute to special projects as assigned in support of agency priorities.

Preferred Skills
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; and (6) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in contracting or procurement, at least two (2) years of which must have been in an executive, managerial, or administrative capacity.

Core Competencies and Skills
The successful candidate will demonstrate consistent, high-quality performance and proficiency in the following areas:
Managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and working independently with strong attention to detail
Communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
Analyzing data, synthesizing complex information, and developing actionable recommendations
Building relationships quickly and fostering positive, collaborative team dynamics
Leading and managing staff, including defining roles, recruiting, training, coaching, and supporting professional development
Facilitating cross-functional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and team building
Serving as a project manager for complex initiatives, adjusting scope and timelines as needed
Maintaining accurate records, protocols, and knowledge bases
Representing MOCS in executive and interagency forums, conveying priorities and incorporating stakeholder feedback
Coordinating with administrative partners on human resources and operational matters

TO APPLY
External applicants, please go to www.nyc.gov/careers/search and search for Job ID #763053
Current City Employees may apply via Employee Self Service (ESS) http://cityshare.nycnet/ess Click on Recruiting Activities/Careers and Search for Job ID #763053

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To best serve the City we represent, Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) seeks individuals from a variety of backgrounds who can bring different perspectives to contribute to the work of the office. MOCS also seeks candidates who want to contribute to a work environment that values teamwork, inclusion and respect.

MOCS recognizes the unique skills and strengths gained through military service. Veterans and service members of the U.S. Armed Forces are strongly encouraged to apply. Special accommodations provided to applicants with disabilities. Please contact MOCS Disability Service Facilitator at [email protected] or 212-298-0800 to request an accommodation.

RESEARCH PROJECTS COOR(MA)-MGR - 0527A

1. Do you have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university?

2. Do you have an associate degree from an accredited college or university along with two (2) years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory or liaison responsibilities?

3. Do you have a four-year high school diploma, or its educational equivalent approved by a state's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization along with four (4) years of experience as described in question "2" above?

4. Do you have a satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to that described in questions "1," "2," and/or "3" above?

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.