B&D is seeking a strategic, client-facing Associate who is energized by complex negotiations, institutional partnerships, and the opportunity to guide colleges and universities through high-impact procurement and dining advisory decisions.

The Opportunity

Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D), we lead the planning, development, and management of the places that shape and strengthen communities—where people live, learn, work, and play. B&D partners with institutions, municipalities, and organizations to shape and deliver complex real estate and capital projects, providing strategic insight and end-to-end advisory services across the full project lifecycle.

B&D recently joined forces with Project Management Advisors, bringing together two nationally recognized leaders in program management and real estate advisory services. Together, the combined firm offers expanded capabilities across industries and throughout the full project lifecycle—from early-stage strategy and planning through execution and beyond.

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.

This position is not simply focused on procurement processes or contract administration. We are seeking a professional who can help institutions structure successful long-term partnerships through thoughtful contract strategy, negotiation support, agreement management, stakeholder engagement, and sound advisory judgment.

The ideal candidate combines strong contract management and negotiation capabilities with the ability to advise executive-level clients through complex procurement and partnership decisions.

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 in Washington, DC; New York City; Atlanta; Chicago; Austin; Costa Mesa; or San Jose.

How You'll Contribute

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

Manage the full procurement lifecycle, including:

• 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
• Strengthen internal tools, methodologies, and advisory best practices

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Legal Studies, Public Administration, Finance, Hospitality, Communications, or a related field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in one or more of the following:
  • Contract management
  • Contract administration
  • Commercial contract negotiations
  • Vendor management
  • Procurement and sourcing
  • Legal operations
  • Advisory or consulting services
• Demonstrated experience negotiating, interpreting, administering, or managing complex agreements.
• Experience supporting or leading procurement, solicitation, RFP, or vendor selection processes.
• Strong understanding of contract structures, business terms, risk allocation, and vendor relationships.
• Ability to analyze contracts and communicate recommendations to executive-level stakeholders.
• Exceptional written communication, presentation, facilitation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational capabilities.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Desire to work in a consulting or advisory environment.
• Willingness to travel two or more times per month.
• Experience with outsourced service-provider agreements is a plus
• Experience in dining services, hospitality, foodservice operations, or auxiliary services is a plus

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree such as a J.D., LLM, MBA, Master's degree, or other relevant advanced education.
• Paralegal training, legal studies background, contract management certification, or other contract-focused professional credentials.
• Experience in higher education

What Sets You Apart

The ideal candidate brings:

• Experience negotiating and managing complex service agreements and commercial partnerships.
• Strong understanding of contract language, agreement structures, risk allocation, and governance provisions.
• Confidence advising executive stakeholders through contract strategy and negotiation decisions.
• Experience leading or supporting procurement and solicitation processes from strategy through implementation.
• Ability to translate complex contractual, legal-adjacent, and procurement concepts into actionable business recommendations.
• Strong client-facing consulting, facilitation, and relationship management capabilities.
• Strategic thinking that extends beyond contract administration into long-term partnership planning and performance management.
• Experience developing negotiation strategies, service models, performance frameworks, and implementation approaches.

Apply Today

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.