The Supplier Diversity Programs Manager will work within the Department of Supplier Diversity to support City departments in identifying opportunities to utilize local, minority- and women-owned businesses for planned procurements. The Supplier Diversity Programs Manager will oversee a team of Program Monitors, each of whom are assigned to a group of City departments and are responsible for 1.) assisting department staff in submitting an Equitable Procurement Plan during the annual City budget process 2.) helping departments proactively plan for outreach to small, diverse businesses for their planned procurements, and 3.) assessing the eligibility/merit of departments’ planned procurements for special programs and making recommendations to the Director for review.

The Programs Manager will serve as the lead project manager for the work of the Program Monitors, providing support and guidance where necessary, ensuring the Monitors meet key deadlines and that their activity is aligned with department-level strategic priorities, tracking performance metrics for all City departments, and serving as a liaison to key internal stakeholders, particularly for collaborative programs and initiatives such as the City’s Sheltered Market Program. The Programs Manager will be responsible for collaborating with quasi-City agencies and departments including but not limited to the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) to identify opportunities to align procurement planning across the City of Boston.

The Programs Manager will regularly meet directors and managers of other teams within the Department of Supplier Diversity, specifically the City Certification team and the Outreach and Engagement team to ensure that 1.) small, diverse businesses identified and/or utilized by departments in planned procurements are certified, 2.) that Program Monitors are following relevant procurement policy guidance and are aware of changes to existing local procurement policy, 3.) that diverse businesses are properly engaged and supported during departments’ procurement processes.

Further, Supplier Diversity Programs Manager will represent the Supplier Diversity Program, its interests, and objectives in collaborations with other City departments, the State Supplier Diversity Office, and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.

The Supplier Diversity Program Manager will work alongside the Policy and Compliance Manager and report to the Director and Deputy Director of Supplier Diversity. Annually, the Supplier Diversity Manager will work closely with the Director, Deputy Director, and Deputy Director of Administration and Finance to craft a budget for the department.

Program/Project Management

• Create and maintain a detailed project roadmap that captures the work of the Program Monitors.
• Lead the annual Equitable Procurement Planning process with City departments and direct the Program Monitors as they assist departments in formulating their plans.
• Work with the Program Monitors to identify department procurements that are eligible for and have a high likelihood of succeeding as Sheltered Market contracts.
• Recommend contracts for designation under the City’s Sheltered Market Program to the Director.
• Implement supplier diversification strategies as opportunities arise.
• Work with City departments and quasi-City agencies and departments including but not limited to the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) to set and achieve annual spending goals for MBEs and WBEs.
• Work with the Deputy Director of City Certification and the certification staff to ensure that the businesses utilized by City departments are certified as MBEs, WBEs, small- and small-local businesses if they are owned by women and people of color and meet the City’s definition of a small business.
• Coordinate with the Outreach and Engagement Team and assist them in identifying qualified, small and diverse suppliers and facilitate early discussions with City departments.
• Incorporate insights from global supplier diversity initiatives and research into the department’s strategy for diversifying the City of Boston’s supplier pool.
• Continue to research industry best practices in supplier diversity programs and incorporate appropriate practices into the City’s supplier diversity strategy.

Relationship Building/Partnerships :

• Participate in relevant conferences, groups, and trade shows.
• Participate in supplier diversity panels and workshops as needed and/or requested by the Director

• At least five (5) years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience work which included communications, policy implementation, business development, workforce development, marketing, or related field.
• A bachelor's degree in business or public administration, management, communications, marketing, or a related field is required. A master's degree in the above-listed areas is highly preferred.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Strong writing skills, preferably experience writing memos, policy briefs, and reports.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office and Google Suite non-negotiable
• Proficiency in scheduling and running virtual meetings on Zoom and/or Google Hangouts non-negotiable
• Ability to build strong relationships with key government and nonprofit stakeholders and exercise good judgment and discretion in relationship management.
• Ability to build and lead coalitions of stakeholders from government, nonprofit and for profit business sectors.
• Direct management experience preferred.
• Familiarity with procurement policy and procedure, Massachusetts General Laws concerning procurement, specifically Chapter 30b, is strongly preferred.