Robert Dickens

Robert Dickens is the Director of Business Contracts, and serves as the primary business contracts officer for UTSA. He leads, directs and oversees the university’s business contracting function. His responsibilities include operational planning and assessment, contract review and negotiation, development of contracting strategies, regulatory compliance management, process innovation and improvement, budgeting, staff development, and staff direction and supervision. He and his staff ensure the compliance and effectiveness of the university’s business contract operations.

Dickens negotiates and creates strategic campus-wide contracts for UTSA. He drafts policies and procedures and implements contracting and receiving technologies. He led the transition to the university’s online contract management system and contract request system. 

Since 1996, Dickens has been an integral part of UTSA’s purchasing processes. He began at the university as a Buyer II then was promoted to Assistant Purchasing Manager in 1998. He served as Purchasing Supervisor from 1998 to 2002, when he became Contracts Manager. He served as Director, Purchasing and Distribution Service from 2008-2015. Dickens began his career with Albertson’s Food and Drug.   

Dickens holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with an emphasis in Constitutional Law and Political Theory, from The University of Texas at San Antonio. He earned a Master of Arts in Legal Studies from Texas State University.

His organizational affiliations include: National Institute for Governmental Purchasing; The University of Texas System Business Contracts Group; The University of Texas System Purchasing Council; and The University of Texas at San Antonio Alumni Association.