Senior Procurement Officer - Construction & Capital Projects

34035BRSenior Procurement Officer - Construction & Capital ProjectsProcurement Services

The Senior Procurement Officer - Construction & Capital Projects serves as the University''s strategic procurement lead for construction, capital improvement, infrastructure, and major facilities-related projects. This position is responsible for overseeing sourcing, contracting, supplier management, procurement compliance, and advisory services related to the University''s capital project portfolio.

Working in close partnership with Facilities Planning & Development (FPD), Operations, General Counsel, Risk Management, and university leadership, this position leads procurement activities for construction and design services, including architect, engineer, construction manager, general contractor, specialty contractor, and related professional service engagements. The position plays a critical role in ensuring procurement strategies align with institutional priorities, project schedules, budget objectives, and applicable statutory requirements, including those resulting from Kansas House Bill 2560 and related Kansas Board of Regents authorities.

This position manages a broad portfolio encompassing new construction, renovations, deferred maintenance, infrastructure improvements, utilities, building systems, furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E), and other capital-related procurements. Responsibilities include competitive solicitation development, supplier evaluation, contract drafting and negotiation, stakeholder consulting, supplier relationship management, procurement reporting, and process improvement initiatives.

The Senior Procurement Officer - Construction & Capital Projects is expected to maintain a comprehensive understanding of modern construction procurement and project delivery methodologies, including Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Design-Build, Job Order Contracting (JOC), Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and other emerging models. The position serves as a trusted advisor to project stakeholders regarding the selection and implementation of appropriate procurement and delivery strategies to achieve project objectives while balancing schedule, cost, quality, risk, stakeholder needs, and compliance considerations.

This position is also responsible for administering procurement activities in accordance with the University''s approved construction procurement framework, including policies, procedures, authorities, and reporting requirements established by the Kansas Board of Regents and applicable state law. The position will maintain subject matter expertise on those requirements, ensure organizational compliance, monitor evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices, and coordinate all related reporting, governance, and documentation obligations.

The successful candidate will possess a high degree of professional judgment, strong negotiation expertise, and the ability to lead complex procurement initiatives involving multiple stakeholders with competing interests. This position must effectively balance compliance, risk management, schedule, cost, quality, and supplier performance considerations while supporting the University''s long-term capital planning objectives.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho, and Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

30% - Construction & Capital Project Procurement

• Lead procurement activities supporting the University''s capital improvement, infrastructure, renovation, and new construction project portfolio.
• Develop, issue, and manage competitive solicitations including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQuals),Requests for Information (RFIs) and other sourcing methodologies appropriate for construction and professional design services.
• Serve as the procurement subject matter expert on construction delivery methods, contractor selection processes, procurement strategy, and public-sector procurement requirements.
• Provide strategic guidance regarding construction delivery and procurement methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Design-Build, Job Order Contracting (JOC), Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and other authorized project delivery models.
• Advise stakeholders on procurement strategies that balance cost, schedule, quality, risk, and project objectives.
• Support procurement activities associated with architects, engineers, construction managers, general contractors, specialty contractors, commissioning services, environmental consulting, owner''s representatives, and related professional services.
• Administer construction procurement activities in accordance with the University''s approved construction procurement framework, Kansas Board of Regents requirements, and applicable state statutes.
• Ensure maintenance of required procurement records, project documentation, compliance metrics, and reporting associated with construction and capital project procurements.

25% - Contract Negotiation & Supplier Management

• Draft, negotiate, and administer complex construction, professional services, consulting, and capital project-related agreements.
• Partner with General Counsel, Risk Management, Environmental Health & Safety, Finance, and project stakeholders to ensure appropriate contract terms and risk mitigation strategies.
• Lead negotiations involving pricing, scope of work, insurance requirements, performance standards, indemnification provisions, scheduling commitments, and commercial terms.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with contractors, consultants, and suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance and facilitate resolution of contract disputes, performance concerns, claims, and project-related issues.
• Support contract lifecycle management activities, including amendments, renewals, closeout documentation, supplier evaluations, and performance reviews.

20% - Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies that support the University''s long-term capital planning and facilities management objectives.
• Conduct market intelligence, industry research, benchmarking, and spend analysis to identify opportunities for cost savings, risk mitigation, and value creation.
• Establish and maintain category strategies for construction, architecture and engineering services, facilities-related equipment, infrastructure systems, FF&E, and capital project support services.
• Identify opportunities for strategic supplier partnerships, cooperative purchasing arrangements, and process efficiencies.
• Analyze market trends, contractor capacity, labor conditions, material pricing, and industry best practices to inform procurement decisions.

15% - Stakeholder Engagement & Project Advisory Services

• Serve as the primary procurement liaison to Facilities Planning & Development, Operations, the KU Medical Center, the KU Edwards Campus, and other departments involved in capital projects.
• Participate in project planning discussions to ensure procurement considerations are incorporated early in project development.
• Facilitate evaluation committees and stakeholder groups through supplier selection processes.
• Provide guidance and training to stakeholders regarding procurement requirements, supplier engagement practices, contracting requirements, and project procurement strategies.
• Build strong working relationships across the institution while helping stakeholders navigate complex procurement requirements.
• Facilitate informed decision-making among stakeholders with competing priorities while maintaining compliance with University policies and procurement requirements.

10% - Compliance, Governance & Process Improvement

• Ensure adherence to University procurement policies, Kansas Board of Regents requirements, state regulations, and industry best practices.
• Serve as Procurement Services'' subject matter expert on construction procurement policies, procedures, governance requirements, and approved project delivery methods.
• Coordinate, prepare, and maintain all required reporting and documentation associated with the University''s construction procurement framework and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develop documentation, templates, procedures, and guidance materials related to construction and capital project procurement.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, transparency, compliance, and stakeholder experience.
• Monitor changes in legislation, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices impacting construction procurement and recommend updates to University processes and procedures as appropriate.
• Support audits, public records requests, governance reviews, and procurement reporting requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within Procurement Services and across University business units.

Occasional travel to other campuses, affiliated facilities, and project sites. Most travel will consist of single-day trips with occasional overnight travel for conferences or professional development opportunities

• Master''s degree and five (5) years of related experience OR a Bachelor''s degree and seven (7) years of related experience.

• Experience managing procurement, contracting, or sourcing activities for construction, capital projects, facilities services, architecture/engineering services, or other complex technical categories as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience leading competitive solicitation processes, including RFPs, RFQs, IFBs, or similar procurement methods, as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience negotiating complex contracts and achieving favorable business outcomes through supplier negotiations, as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously while working independently in a deadline-driven environment, as demonstrated in application materials.

• Experience collaborating with various stakeholder groups and facilitating decision-making among stakeholders with competing priorities, as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience interpreting and applying procurement policies, contractual requirements, regulatory requirements, or compliance standards, as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience with enterprise procurement systems, contract management platforms, or related business systems as shown in application materials.

• Experience with construction procurement, capital project contracting, or project delivery methods, including responsibility for interpreting and applying procurement policies, regulatory requirements, governance frameworks, or public procurement requirements, as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience in higher education, government, public-sector, or capital project procurement environments as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience supporting construction, infrastructure, facilities management, or major capital improvement projects.

• Knowledge of public procurement regulations and competitive sourcing practices applicable to construction and professional services procurements.

• Experience with modern construction delivery methods such as Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Design-Build, Job Order Contracting (JOC), Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), or similar approaches.

• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPPO, CPPB, PMP, CCM, DBIA, or equivalent.

• Experience developing procurement policies, procedures, training programs, governance frameworks, or stakeholder education initiatives.

• Experience with supplier performance management, category management, and strategic sourcing methodologies.

Melanie Ekeland

melanie.ekeland@ku.edu

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Application review begins Friday, November 20th. For consideration, please apply no later than Thursday, November 19th.  $110-$125,00020-Nov-202607-Dec-2026University of Kansas Lawrence Campus 1.0RegularAdministrativeU-Unclassified Professional Staff M-F, 8-5Administrative/Management-KULHybridThe University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university''s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.5237823No5541300210.00.002-Nov-2026