Job Description
Position: Senior Manager Housing Procurement
Reports to: Vice President, Campus Life
Department: Campus Life
Location:Europe (Berlin, Barcelona, London, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam)/Hybrid
Who we are:
CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization that transforms lives and builds bridges between individuals and nations through study abroad and international exchange experiences that help people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.
Why work with us:
- You will change the world. CIEE builds bridges between different people, different countries, and different cultures. We help young people participate in high-quality international exchange and study abroad programs that bring the world together. We change lives, our alumni change the world. Be part of the change!
- You will be part of a fast-paced, international, diverse, and collaborative team of professionals. CIEE operates the largest nonprofit network of study-abroad locations, with facilities and staff in 29 countries. Additionally, we help international participants from over 140 countries come to the USA each year. Committed to excellence and solving whatever problem the world throws at them, CIEE professionals work on international teams and are dedicated to advancing our 75-year-old mission to make the world a more peaceful place.
The Senior Manager Housing Procurement (SMHP) manages housing procurement for CIEE student accommodations within the Outbound Exchanges Division, requiring the delivery of high-quality housing and related services all while attending to the safety and security of the student experience.
The Senior Manager of Housing Procurement manages procurement processes, reviews and approves contract requests within CIEE’s compliance SOP and RFP guidelines, and undertakes global contract negotiations and purchasing in bulk. The successful candidate applies strategies that align CIEE’s housing assets with local and international student housing market trends and student preferences within the approved budget. The position also plays a key role in the procurement of variable housing and the overall cost-containment strategy of CIEE’s global housing portfolio. The position contributes to all key areas of business and financial management and strategic planning. The SMHP has in-depth experience and knowledge of cost containment through strategic procurement approaches, and effective price negotiation practices and provides regular training to center staff worldwide to meet the needs of our students. The Senior Manager of Housing Procurement achieves objectives through supervision by the VP of Campus Life and strong collaboration with the Director of Finance and all center directors and regional Directors of Operations that directly impact a successful delivery.
The successful incumbent has essential experience and use of superior negotiation skills, and familiarity with planning, forecasting, and reporting mechanisms. The successful candidate has 5 to 7 years of experience in a managerial position in the global student housing market and has native or near-native English language skills and fluency in a second language of the EMEA area.
What you’ll do:
(1) Administrative, Operational
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality student housing accommodation as per program needs.
• Provide guidelines and create SOPs on negotiating favorable prices, contracts, and terms and conditions for CIEE to maintain compliance with CIEE policies and cost containment.
• Work closely with center directors to negotiate agreements/maintain relationships with housing providers in CIEE locations.
• Negotiate global agreements with multisite providers that support maximum flexibility and cost containment.
(2) Data Management and Reporting
• Manage IT infrastructure needs and create efficiencies in housing management processes, data entry by centers, as well as data analytics and reporting.
• Ensure on-time and accurate completion of deliverables throughout the year, including housing quality reports, marketing input, and a range of administrative tasks, such as day-to-day management, recordkeeping, and ensuring staff have the resources and tools to succeed.
• Manage housing inventory to maximize occupancy and work across teams (internally and externally) to minimize cost exposure.
(3) Student Experience
• Manage high-level communication with housing providers to create an effective and expedient response to housing-related incidences that may impact the student experience and the quality of housing we promise.
• Ensure that all providers are adhering to terms and conditions negotiated, and follow CIEE policies and procedures on reporting of incidents.
• Review student evaluations and make recommendations to mitigate risks posed to students or issues that impact the student experience, respond to action plans, and liaise with providers for implementation.
(4) Financial Management and Legal Compliance
• Develop annual/termly housing budget guidelines and communicate with center directors and CIEE management team and monitor center financial performance regarding housing costs.
• In conjunction with the Finance and Legal Department develop cost containment measures for third-party providers in the form of RFPs, and communicate to partners and centers. Provide center staff with the tools and training to manage target savings and review the financial control protocols to ensure target savings are met.
• Coordinate and lead ongoing management as well as record keeping of legal housing contracts according to CIEE policies and ensure negotiated terms and conditions are being met.
• Ensure that all required financial housing reporting is accomplished by established deadlines.
• Collect and review annual program and term reports and follow up on action items as they pertain to housing providers.
Other
• Ensure the CIEE brand is well-represented with housing providers
• Perform other duties as assigned.
What you’ll bring:
The ideal candidatewill possess:
•Bachelor’s degree required; master's degree preferred.
• At least 5 to 7 years of work experience with significant hands-on managerial experience in the field of student accommodation or hospitality industry (with a global player in student accommodation preferred).
• Excellent data management in Excel or related software programs required.
•Proven track record of creating efficiencies within housing processes.
• Fluency in English required, competency in an additional regional language preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of and first-hand experience with student accommodation, policies, and processes required. Familiarity and experience within at least one specified region are required, but
global housing knowledge and perspective of advantage.
• Authorization to work in the EMEA region or UK (without sponsorship strongly preferred).
• Experience in developing and managing within budget targets, managing Request for Proposals (RFPs), and applying guidelines and good practices of cost containment.
• Proven ability to negotiate contracts and understand the complexities and challenges of a broad range of operational, programmatic, legal, and financial implications.
• Proven ability to be a tough negotiator and be able to accomplish challenging objectives and goals and cost-saving targets.
• Experience developing, implementing, and managing projects and processes required.
• Exceptional communication skills internally with colleagues and externally with partners required.
• Familiarity with the Microsoft suite of software, Salesforce, and Domo and proven interest in using technology to improve business functions required.
Location Requirements
The position is available to applicants in Europe (Berlin, Barcelona, London, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam) only.
Diversity Matters:
CIEE believes that diversity matters and that professionals with diverse backgrounds provide diverse approaches and ideas to solving problems and finding ways to advance our mission to bring the world together.Candidates from underrepresented groups with diverse backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.
Due to federal regulations, a background and reference check will be conducted as a condition of employment .
Please apply according to the instructions posted at www.ciee.org/about/work-for-ciee . Please include a cover letter and resume.
#J-18808-Ljbffr