Special Projects Lead

As the Special Projects Lead in the Department of Procurement Services (PS) , you will play a vital role within the CFO’s organization by ensuring the seamless execution of operational projects and initiatives that impact the University’s supply chain, payables . and travel and expense management. This position bridges the gap between business requirements and technological capabilities.

Embedded within the PSDS team, the Special Projects Lead fosters collaboration and acts as a critical connector among departments, stakeholders, and project teams. This role is responsible for driv ing communication, facilitating continuous improvement, and ensuring the successful delivery of projects that advance operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and the University’s strategic objectives .

Why Join Us?

• Shape the future of Procurement Services at the University by building strong connections across the Grounds community.
  

• Work in a collaborative environment that values innovation, continuous improvement, and stakeholder-centric solutions.
  

• Be part of impactful initiatives that align with the University’s mission and create lasting value for the Grounds community.
  

Key Responsibilities:

1. Operational Optimization:

• Collaborate with departmental team leaders to outline project scope, objectives , deliverables, and resource requirements.
  

• Ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities amount team members.
  

• Create a supportive environment where team members are encouraged to contribute ideas, share concerns, and participate actively in process improvement efforts.
  

• Organize and facilitate departmental meetings focused on operational priorities, fostering transparency and collaborative problem-solving.
  

2. Operational Coordination and Execution:

• Oversee day-to-day progress on key departmental initiatives, ensuring alignment with Finance priorities and strategic goals.
  

• Coordinate across Procurement Services and related teams to drive project timelines and mitigate risks, issues, or delays.
  

• Identify cross-functional opportunities to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and optimize resource utilization .
  

• Facilitate system testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and change adoption activities to ensure smooth operational rollouts.
  

• Serve as a liaison between project teams, technical teams, and business stakeholders to align system and process enhancements with business needs.
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, or a related field along with a minimum of seven years of related experience .
  

• Proven experience in project coordination, facilitation, or administration.
  

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of effectively interacting with diverse range of stakeholders.
  

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate productive discussions, mediate conflicts constructively, and drive resolution.
  

• Experience supporting business process improvement initiatives or operational excellence projects.
  

Core Competencies :

• Analytical Excellence: Ability to analyze operational data and feedback to identify opportunities for process improvements.
  

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to position operational initiatives within the broader Finance and University strategic framework.
  

• Collaboration & Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills for fostering cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
  

• Adaptability: Comfort working in a dynamic environment and embracing new technologies and innovative process solutions.
  

• Customer-Centric Mindset: Commitment to delivering exceptional service and operational support to University stakeholders .
  

Ready to take your career to the next level and play a key role in our University’s financial operations?

Apply today and help us shape a future defined by efficiency and excellence!

This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future. This is a 3-year term limited opportunity. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@virginia.edu.

Please apply through the University job board, Careers at UVA , and search for R0072113.

There is an in-office expectation of 3 days per week.

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with qualifications ($105,000 - $130,000 per year) and eligible for University benefits.

Please submit a resume and a cover letter to be considered for this position, applications that do not contain both pieces of information will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs’ or through their ‘Jobs Hub’. Applicants must complete an application online with the following documents: a resume and cover letter.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, Computer Engineering or related discipline
Experience: At least seven years of experience. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Licensure: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physicians Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experience. We are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.