Senior Associate (Procurement & Contract Advisory)

Career Opportunities with Brailsford and DunlaveyA great place to work.Careers At Brailsford and DunlaveyShare with friends or Subscribe!Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.At Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D), we lead the planning, development, and management of the places that shape and strengthen communities. Our Dining Advisory Practice Group partners with higher education institutions nationwide to advise on the planning, procurement, and long‐term performance of campus dining programs and food service partnerships.This role is uniquely positioned within the firm and plays a critical part in advancing B&D's broader management advisory work. Dining engagements often integrate with larger institutional planning efforts—including student life, housing, athletics, and campus development—requiring close collaboration across the firm to deliver coordinated strategies that support each institution's mission.We are seeking a confident, highly client‐facing professional who understands that successful dining partnerships are shaped by more than contract execution alone.This position is not just focused on contract administration . It goes beyond merely processing agreements, monitoring compliance, and ensuring that contract terms are documented correctly. This role requires an individual who can help institutions develop stronger partnerships through thoughtful negotiation, strategic positioning, and sound advisory judgment.This may be an ideal opportunity for someone from foodservice operations, hospitality, procurement, legal‐adjacent work, or advisory environments who wants broader influence, more meaningful client engagement, and the opportunity to shape institutional strategy—not just support it.This is a remote position within the continental United States , with the expectation that candidates live near a major airport due to regular business travel. Preference will be given to applicants located near one of B&D's regional offices inWashington, DC; New York City; Atlanta; Chicago; Austin; Costa Mesa; or San Jose.Responsibilities As a Senior Associate, you will lead dining advisory engagements while serving as a trusted advisor to institutional clients. Responsibilities include:Lead and manage dining advisory projects from planning through implementationDevelop and oversee deliverables, including: Dining master plansNeeds assessmentsOperational reviewsService auditsContractor solicitation processesFinancial reviews and modelingBusiness plansMarket analysesManage the full procurement lifecycle, including: Schedule developmentRFP draftingProposal evaluationContract reviewBusiness term negotiation supportAdvise clients through contract negotiations and implementation of new operating agreementsServe as the primary client relationship manager on assigned engagementsTranslate procurement and contract complexity into clear strategic recommendations for clientsCoordinate dining advisory work with broader firmwide planning efforts across multiple practice areasDevelop high‐quality presentations, reports, and project documentationManage multiple concurrent engagements while maintaining quality, schedule, and budget expectationsSupervise and mentor junior staff across project teamsContribute to business development through: Proposal developmentConference participationThought leadershipRelationship cultivationStrengthen internal tools, methodologies, and advisory best practicesIdeal Candidate Profile The strongest candidates will bring:Experience leading procurement or solicitation processes from strategy through implementationStrong stakeholder and executive‐level client communicationThe ability to translate technical procurement language into clear client recommendationsStrategic thinking that extends beyond contract administration into long‐term partnership planningExperience developing negotiation strategies , service models , performance metrics and implementation approachesRequirements 7+ years of professional experience in: Dining servicesFoodservice operationsProcurementContract administrationAdvisory or related fieldsAt least 4 years of direct experience in: Dining solicitationsProcurement processesContract negotiationsAgreement managementBachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Higher Education Administration, or r elated field required.An advanced degree is strongly preferred, including an MBA, J.D., or p aralegal or other professional legal training.Higher education dining experience strongly preferredStrong understanding of c ontract structures , business terms, o perational performance metrics, and p rocurement strategyExcellent w riting skills , v erbal communication, f acilitation skills, and p resentation abilitiesStrong analytical and organizational capabilitiesAbility to work independently while leading multiple projectsWillingness to travel two or more times per monthAlignment with B&D's mission, values, and collaborative cultureApply TodayOur application process includes a resume, a cover letter (optional, but highly encouraged), and a few important questions. We're excited to learn more about you!This role's target base annual salary range is currently $125,000-140,000. Pay scales are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job‐related skills, relevant education, experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate, and pay relative to other team members.The company benefits listed above are a summary of the benefits. Specific details, availability, and eligibility requirements apply in accordance with company policies.Brailsford & Dunlavey is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.#J-18808-Ljbffr