Managing Director, Strategic Procurement Services
Quick Summary
At EAB, our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,800 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and advancement. We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve.
At EAB, we serve not only our partner institutions but each other—that's why we are always working to make sure our employees love their jobs and are invested in their communities. See how we've been recognized for this dedication to our employees by checking out our recent awards.
For more information, visit our Careers page.
EAB is launching a new, differentiated Strategic Procurement Services business for higher education, built in partnership with an established operating partner. The model combines EAB’s deep relationships with cabinet-level leaders, advanced analytics, and change management capabilities with a partner that delivers core procurement know-how and capabilities in the areas of sourcing and contracting.
We are seeking an entrepreneurial general manager to lead this effort from concept refinement through pilot execution and into scale. This role owns the end-to-end success of the business, including strategy, go-to-market positioning, supplier and category strategy, partner governance, and cross-functional coordination across EAB.
This hire may ideally be based in our Washington, D.C. headquarters and is also open to hires based in our Richmond, VA office.
This position will require occasional travel to customers and our operating partner.
Responsibilities
~1 min read- Refine the concept and partnership model based on market feedback, early learnings, and stakeholder input.
- Translate the vision into a practical, testable operating model ready for pilot launch.
- Define success metrics for the pilot across supplier participation, institutional adoption, ROI, and operational stability.
- Monitor pilot execution and report clearly on outcomes, risks, and recommendations.
- Serve as EAB’s senior relationship owner for the operating partner.
- Hold the partner accountable for delivery of their core components.
- Continuously assess and refine the division of responsibilities as the business evolves.
- Establish and manage governance structures, including:
o clear role definitions and decision rights,
o operating cadences and escalation paths,
o performance expectations and reporting.
- Own the supplier and category strategy for the business, even where execution is partner-led.
- Shape contract economics and pricing structures to balance institutional value, supplier incentives, and sustainable margins.
- Act as the senior executive “face” to supplier leadership, reinforcing a partner-oriented and win-win ethos.
- Work with commercial teams to develop the GTM strategy and positioning, helping to create and deliver executive-level pitch materials.
- Participate directly in sales conversations with CFOs, CPOs, and cabinet-level leaders, serving as the “face” of the business.
- Support development of diagnostics, business cases, and change management narratives to motivate institutional commitment.
- Lead through influence in a matrixed environment.
- Create operational visibility and stability across internal and external stakeholders involved in the pilot and beyond.
- Use performance data, supplier feedback, and member outcomes to refine:
o category prioritization,
o contract structures,
o partner operating model, and
o ongoing member benefits.
Requirements
~1 min read- 10–12+ years of professional experience, including ownership of a business, product line, or service with direct accountability for revenue, costs, and margin (P&L or equivalent).
- Senior strategic or leadership role within a GPO, procurement services firm, strategic sourcing organization, or closely adjacent business.
- Executive-level, client-facing GTM experience, including conversations with CFOs, CPOs, or equivalent buyers.
- Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.
- Ability to translate a high-level idea into a practical, scalable operating model.
- Ability to create clarity and momentum across sales, analytics, delivery, and legal functions sometimes without direct authority.
- Ability to track execution, manage pilots, and drive toward measurable outcomes.
- Appreciation for the institutional adoption challenges that determine whether contracts deliver real value.
Requirements
~1 min read- Prior ownership of a strategic build or operating partner relationship.
- Direct involvement in launching or scaling a new procurement-related offering, business line, or pilot program.
- Direct experience with higher education procurement or serving higher education institutions.
- Familiarity with higher-ed-specific procurement constraints and cooperative contracting.
- Prior experience with higher education consortia or major higher education-focused GPOs.
- Strong understanding of contracting models, supplier management, and public-sector procurement requirements.
- Ability to position complex, novel offerings with senior institutional leaders.
- Proven ability to steward and govern an external partner delivering core components of the value proposition.
- Commitment to embracing a continual learning environment and contributing to a dynamic and welcoming culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging in support of EAB’s mission, values, and aspiration.
If you’ve reached this section of the job description and are unsure of whether to apply, please do! At EAB, we welcome new perspectives and learn from each other’s unique experiences. We would encourage you to submit an application if this is a role you would be passionate about doing every day.
What We Offer
~1 min readThe anticipated starting salary (base) range for this role is $160,000 - $200,000 per year. Actual salary varies due to factors that may include but not be limited to relevant experience, skills, and location. At EAB, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the starting salary range for their role.
This hire will additionally be eligible for discretionary bonus or incentive compensation. Variable compensation may depend on various factors, such as individual and organizational performance.
What We Offer
~2 min readLocation & Eligibility
Listing Details
- First seen
- May 6, 2026
- Last seen
- May 6, 2026
Posting Health
- Days active
- 0
- Repost count
- 0
- Trust Level
- 42%
- Scored at
- May 6, 2026
Signal breakdown
Please let EAB Career Center know you found this job on Jobera.
4 other jobs at EAB Career Center
View all →Explore open roles at EAB Career Center.
Similar Procurement jobs
View all →Browse Similar Jobs
Stay ahead of the market
Get the latest job openings, salary trends, and hiring insights delivered to your inbox every week.
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.