Strategic Procurement Advisor - Aviation Redevelopment Program

Delivery of the John F. Kennedy International Airport Redevelopment Program will require the implementation of innovative and cutting-edge procurement transactions, including procurement that use design-build and public-private partnerships project delivery models.   The Port Authority’s Procurement Department has a successful record of excellence in procuring some of the most innovative procurements in the U.S., including the Goethals Bridge Modernization, the LaGuardia Airport Central Terminal Building, and the new Terminal One at Newark Liberty International Airport. The Department is responsible for managing the procurements for Port Authority capital projects delivered using a variety of delivery methods, including design-build, construction manager-at risk, and public-private partnerships, requests for proposals, bids.  

For almost 100 years, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been designing, constructing, and operating the greater New York and New Jersey’s regional transportation infrastructure. The Port Authority’s greatest asset, however, is its people. To this end, we are looking for a unique individual to join our Department as a Strategic Procurement Advisor for the JFK Redevelopment Program. This person will have a desire to be a part of a team of procurement professionals responsible for providing guidance and oversight to on some of the largest airport redevelopment programs in the U.S.

Specifically, the successful candidate will:

• Lead primarily professional service procurements, including program-wide call-in lists and for specific projects and as-needed services;
• Ensure procurements comply with third-party funding requirements, such as the FAA or FTA;
• Play a key role in cutting edge procurements, which may include those for state-of-the-art construction and complex design-build procurements, commercial and real estate transactions, including those for projects procured using public private partnerships;
• Provide clear strategic guidance to internal staff and outside advisors on all aspects of the procurement process;
• Lead planning, strategy development and implementation of efforts to maximize local, minority, woman and service-disabled veteran owned business opportunities;
• Strategize with internal project teams to evaluate project delivery methods and determine the optimal method to fit the project.
• Develop presentations with internal stakeholders, including senior and executive leadership, and external industry partners as audiences.
• Assist project teams in developing risk profiles for projects, which may include participating in the development of project risk matrices that identify critical risks, attend risk workshops, and contribute to the evaluation and allocation of project risks.
• Assisting with the development of procurement strategies and drafting of procurement documents for alternative delivery projects, including for example, Requests for Information, Requests for Qualifications and Requests for Proposals,
• Prepare Industry Briefing Books, agreements, and other procurement-related documents perform award and post-award contract and administration documents.
• Draft and review procurement documents, including procurement authorization memoranda, Request for Qualifications, Request for Proposals, and other procurement-related documents perform award and post-award contract and administration documents, develop innovative and cutting edge project delivery documents;
• Collaborate in a teaming environment with other members of Port Authority capital project teams for the successful delivery of projects, including interacting with, and providing appropriate guidance to engineers, financial analysts, legal counsel, and other members of the project team.
• Conduct time-sensitive fact-finding research relating to procurement and operational issues, and make determinations in accordance with applicable precedent and guidelines, and draft related correspondence;
• Liaise with personnel from other departments in the Port Authority, such as Law and the Office of Inspector General to resolve vendor integrity and organizational conflict of interest matters;
• Manage and supervise compliance with third-party, federal and other grant and loan requirements;
• Develop and lead industry outreach efforts, including developing and hosting industry WebEx events, industry forums, and managing Port Authority staff engagement with industry players.
• Research and analyze project delivery procurement best practices,  and encourage innovation and facilitate improvement within the Procurement Department, the agency, and with Project teams;
• Lead training and development both on departmental and agency wide levels on Alternative Project Delivery methodologies, Risk Mitigation and other issues relating to procurement; and
• Assist in the negotiation and settlement of post award change orders, ensuring compliance with agency policy and third-party funding regulations;
• Complete special projects for the Chief Procurement Officer and Deputy Director, as required.

Candidates must present the following qualifications to be considered eligible for this position:

• Five (5) years experience working on complex procurements, or capital project construction and project management, with demonstrated experience drafting and reviewing procurement documents.

Ideal candidates will present the following profile:

• Knowledgeable  in  business and commercial transactions and terms;
• A curious mind with the ability to develop unique solutions that require a high degree of ingenuity, creativity, flexibility and innovation;
• A high-degree of ownership of processes and pride in finished work product; 
• A self-starter and finisher who possesses the ability to operate independently on most tasks, and work closely and collaboratively with a small team;
• Demonstrated procurement or contracts experience in a public or private entity, including negotiating with vendors;
• Familiarity working with laws, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance;
• Familiarity working on projects that receive or are anticipated to receive grants and loans;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and meet deadlines, especially on time sensitive items, and have project management skills to manage a large diverse workload within tight time constraints and with a strong customer-service orientation;
• Strong written/oral communication skills;
• Commitment to quality, continuous improvement and working collaboratively within a team environment; and
• High-level proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint.