Getty is a leading global arts organization committed to exhibiting, conserving, and understanding the world’s artistic and cultural heritage.
Based in Los Angeles, Getty pursues its work with partners around the world, while sharing art, knowledge, and resources with the public online, and in-person at the Getty Center and Getty Villa.
Today, the J. Paul Getty Trust is one of the world’s largest cultural and philanthropic institutions dedicated to the visual arts. Our work continues to advance the presentation, conservation, and interpretation of the world’s artistic legacy.
Getty was established by businessman and art collector J. Paul Getty (1892–1976). Mr. Getty viewed art as a civilizing influence in society and his bequest enabled the creation of the Trust.
Drawing upon Mr. Getty’s vision, early leaders of the Trust sought to establish an institution that served all facets of the art world, including research, display, conservation, publishing, grants, and education. The Trust constructed the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades and the Getty Center in Brentwood, expanded the collections of the Museum, and created the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Research Institute, and the Getty Foundation, forming the organization we now call Getty.
The Opportunity
Position
Head of Institutional Procurement
Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Reporting Relationship:
Controller
Website:
https://www.getty.edu/
Purpose of the Position
The Head of Institutional Procurement, Contract Services and Accounts Payable plans, directs and manages the central procurement activities of the J. Paul Getty Trust (“Getty”) and its four programs (i.e., Museum, Conservation Institute, Research Institute, Foundation), including identification of ways to reduce costs, provide a high level of customer service, streamline processes (i.e., best practices, software enhancements), and serves as a liaison to vendors, contractors and Getty management.
The Head of Institutional Procurement must bring a forward-thinking, solutions-oriented mindset with a strong grasp of how to balance institutional needs with efficiency and innovation. This role requires someone who can operate within a complex, approval-heavy environment and drive meaningful, tangible process improvements—particularly in streamlining workflows and reducing paper-based systems.
The ideal candidate will be experienced in managing cost-conscious operations without sacrificing quality and will have a demonstrated ability to adapt procurement systems to support just-in-time needs, especially for media and communications requests. Beyond familiarity with best practices, the successful candidate will have led or contributed to substantive organizational change, with clear examples of how they achieved buy-in, navigated challenges, and delivered measurable results. The role calls for someone who can maintain agility while honoring stakeholder expectations, effectively moving initiatives forward in a collaborative, yet decisive manner.
The Candidate
The Head of Institutional Procurement will be a proactive, detail-oriented leader with excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset. This individual must be adept at working cross-functionally across departments, with the ability to both drive procurement processes and adapt to the evolving needs of a complex, campus-based institution. A strong sense of urgency, coupled with the ability to streamline workflows and establish clear timelines, is critical. They should be comfortable managing the full procurement lifecycle—from vendor engagement to contract execution—while maintaining a high standard of service and responsiveness. Strong people management skills are essential, as is the capacity to dive into operational details while keeping a strategic view of institutional goals.
Working within the Getty’s high-performance environment, the Head of Institutional Procurement must demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the organization’s commitment to excellence while seeking quality and value through thoughtful procurement strategies. The successful candidate will be experienced in cost-conscious decision-making without compromising standards and will understand how to manage complex approval processes efficiently.
Familiarity with campus-based facilities is a plus, as is a technology-forward approach, including leveraging technology and AI to modernize procurement practices. The right candidate will bring a proven track record of implementing tangible process improvements—able to describe what they changed, why it mattered, and what outcomes were achieved. This is a role for someone who thrives in a team-oriented culture, takes initiative, and collaborates with management to align procurement operations with the institution’s broader mission and values.
Key Responsibilities
Manage the daily operations of the Procurement, Contract Services and Accounts Payable departments to ensure that the payments, material, and service requirements of the Getty are met in a timely, efficient, effective, and ethical manner. Provide oversight of all purchases and payments in compliance with Getty policies and procedures. Additionally, compliance with all applicable Federal and State rules and regulations (e.g., Federal Grants)
Develop and expand supplier diversity programs.
Supervise department staff of up to twenty-five including but not limited to assignment of work and review of employee work product. Responsibility for all personnel decisions including hiring, firing, and training of staff.
Provide continuous staff development opportunities to ensure staff possess sufficient training and required skill levels to perform their assigned tasks in a proficient manner; ensure proficiency is maintained in current technologies. Promote and support ongoing teamwork within the department.
Evaluate, make recommendations, and develop Getty-wide purchasing and accounts payable policies and procedures for implementation of standards that represent best purchasing methods.
Plan for future operations of the department with emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness in meeting the needs of both internal and external customers, statutory and regulatory compliance, and compliance with requirements as set by various granting agencies.
Oversee training and instruction to personnel throughout the Getty community to provide direction as it relates to procurement and accounts payable policies and procedures (e.g., procurement options, best purchasing methods, bidding requirements, appropriate product/service/vendor evaluation, lease vs. buy decisions, contract administration and problem resolution.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The Head of Institutional Procurement must be a strategic and agile leader with strong operational and problem-solving skills. This role requires the ability to streamline complex processes, manage cost efficiencies, and respond quickly to evolving needs, including just-in-time media and communications requests. The ideal candidate is technology-forward, with experience implementing AI and digital tools to improve procurement operations.
They should have a proven track record of driving process improvements, navigating institutional change, and balancing stakeholder needs with action. Success in this role depends on the ability to lead with both efficiency and adaptability in a high-expectation, collaborative environment. Equally important are strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate the reasoning behind decisions, and to lead change with diplomacy and patience. The candidate must be capable of guiding teams through new systems, processes, and practices in a way that builds understanding, buy-in, and long-term success.
Key Skills and Abilities include:
Strong supervisory and time management skills.
Analytical and critical thinking skills.
Demonstrate expertise in independently drafting and analyzing RFP’s, RFQ’s, RFI’s, contracts, business documents and /or other agreements while assuring compliance with applicable laws, guidelines, and prime contract terms.
Strong negotiation skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Demonstrated high level of proficiency in the Microsoft suite of applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with familiarity with enterprise financial systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, SAP).
Experience and Professional Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or related field from an accredited college or university.
5 -10 years of progressive work experience managing procurement functions on behalf of an organization.
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) or similar designation preferred.
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter to: GettyProcurement@kornferry.com
Provide leadership over ongoing enhancements and implement new initiatives including software upgrades in collaboration with Getty Digital Group.
Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with all programs and departments through understanding their purpose and objectives.
Serve as the primary resource for staff and vendors as necessary to interpret policies and procedures, assessing client needs and providing dispute resolution when necessary.
Maintain current knowledge of advance purchasing methods and techniques, the Uniform Commercial Code and applicable laws, rules, and regulations as to be able to recommend revisions to existing practices to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.
Maintain oversight of the Accounts Payable operation which includes timely and accurate processing of invoices, managing vendor relationships, resolving discrepancies, AP Month-End closing, IRS submission requirements and all required reporting. Develop, establish, and oversee internal controls and procedures for the AP department and make recommendations to improve processes based upon department needs, such as production levels, training, and efficiency improvements.
Continually evaluate products and services offered by existing and prospective vendors.
Assist customers in selecting the vendor most appropriate to meet their needs through evaluation of competitive proposals. Negotiate with vendors when appropriate.
Review with the Controller on a regular basis real-time reports of contract status and key statistics to monitor and evaluate contract throughput and customer satisfaction.
Manage the competitive solicitation process (e.g., RFx’s)
Research and reconciliation of vendor contracts and payments.
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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.
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