Senior Associate (Procurement & Contract Advisory)

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 implementation

Develop and oversee deliverables, including: Dining master plans Needs assessments Operational reviews Service audits Contractor solicitation processes Financial reviews and modeling Business plans Market analyses

Dining master plans

Needs assessments

Operational reviews

Service audits

Contractor solicitation processes

Financial reviews and modeling

Business plans

Market analyses

Manage the full procurement lifecycle, including: Schedule development RFP drafting Proposal evaluation Contract review Business term negotiation support

Schedule development

RFP drafting

Proposal evaluation

Contract review

Business term negotiation support

Advise clients through contract negotiations and implementation of new operating agreements

Serve as the primary client relationship manager on assigned engagements

Translate procurement and contract complexity into clear strategic recommendations for clients

Coordinate dining advisory work with broader firmwide planning efforts across multiple practice areas

Develop high-quality presentations, reports, and project documentation

Manage multiple concurrent engagements while maintaining quality, schedule, and budget expectations

Supervise and mentor junior staff across project teams

Contribute to business development through: Proposal development Conference participation Thought leadership Relationship cultivation

Proposal development

Conference participation

Thought leadership

Relationship cultivation

Strengthen internal tools, methodologies, and advisory best practices

7+ years of professional experience in: Dining services Foodservice operations Procurement Contract administration Advisory or related fields

Dining services

Foodservice operations

Procurement

Contract administration

Advisory or related fields

At least 4 years of direct experience in: Dining solicitations Procurement processes Contract negotiations Agreement management

Dining solicitations

Procurement processes

Contract negotiations

Agreement management

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Higher Education Administration, or related field required.

An advanced degree is strongly preferred, including an MBA, J.D., or paralegal or other professional legal training.

Higher education dining experience strongly preferred

Strong understanding of contract structures, business terms, operational performance metrics, and procurement strategy

Excellent writing skills, verbal communication, facilitation skills, and presentation abilities

Strong analytical and organizational capabilities

Ability to work independently while leading multiple projects

Willingness to travel two or more times per month

Alignment with B&D’s mission, values, and collaborative culture What Sets You Apart The ideal candidate will bring:

Experience leading procurement or solicitation processes from strategy through implementation

Confidence in managing direct contract negotiations

Strong stakeholder and executive-level client communication

The ability to translate technical procurement language into clear client recommendations

Strategic thinking that extends beyond contract administration into long-term partnership planning

Experience developing negotiation strategies, service models, performance metrics and implementation approaches

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.

Our 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.