Vendor/Contract Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Why Texas Association of School Boards

Established in 1949, TASB has grown alongside Texas to meet the evolving needs of the school boards it serves.

Today, 500 employees work together to promote educational excellence for Texas public schoolchildren. TASB offers high-quality services that help 1,023 school districts operate more efficiently and effectively in serving more than 5.5 million public school students statewide.

We feel privileged to work alongside talented team members who are passionate about putting people first and empowering local school district leaders. The TASB team is adaptable and responsive to the needs of our members. 

Our culture is reflected in TASB Together, which guides the way we work and encourages employees to learn, grow, and contribute in alignment with our TASB Mission:

The Texas Association of School Boards promotes educational excellence for Texas schoolchildren through the advancement of good governance, valuable learning experience for school leaders, and public school advocacy. We also provide high-quality services and programs to school districts – helping them operate more efficiently and effectively . 

As part of its commitment to employee growth and development, TASB offers competitive pay and rich benefits, including a 2:1 match of retirement contributions up to 5% after one year, (which means that if you contribute 5% to the plan, TASB will contribute 10%), onsite daycare, onsite gym, wellness program, tuition reimbursement, remote and hybrid work options for certain roles, flexible schedules, and more. 

Every role at TASB thoughtfully complements our commitment to supporting school boards and championing public education across Texas. If you consider your work exceptional and share the values that help TASB support school boards, keep reading!

About You

The IT Vendor/Contract Manager is a technology experienced professional who will manage complex agreements, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and keep contracting work moving from initial submission through final signature. This role understands technology contract structures and terminology, while recognizing that TASB's Corporate Counsel is responsible for reviewing and redlining legal terms. 

A Typical Day 

Your day will center on coordinating technology contracts, working with IT leaders, contract owners, financial staff, vendors, and TASB’s Corporate Counsel. Depending on priorities, you may:

• Coordinate technology contracts, working with IT leaders, contract owners, financial staff, vendors, and TASB's Corporate Counsel. 
• Negotiate pricing and business terms with vendors, suppliers, and service providers for routine and complex technology products and services.
• Review technology agreements to identify business, operational, financial, security, privacy, service-level, and contract-management considerations requiring stakeholder review.
• Coordinate legal review with Corporate Counsel, provide relevant business and technology context, facilitate vendor discussions, and track requested revisions.
• Review and coordinate software-as-a-service agreements, terms of service, privacy terms, service-level agreements, data-use agreements, master agreements, and other technology contracts.
• Manage contract entry and tracking, follow up with contract owners, and keep records accurate, current, and complete.
• Monitor upcoming expirations and renewals and coordinate timely action with responsible stakeholders.
• Report to IT leadership on new, auto-renewing, and expiring contracts, including negotiations and required reviews and approvals.
• Confirm that contracts with financial obligations are included in approved budgets by coordinating with contract owners and the IT Financial Analyst, and facilitate required approval when funding was not previously budgeted.
• Communicate with internal stakeholders to understand their technology, service, and contracting needs.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Manage the contract review and approval process from initial submission through final signature.
• Help ensure contracts are accurate, comprehensive, compliant with TASB policy, and protective of the organization’s interests.
• Identify and escalate issues that may affect timely contract review, approval, or execution.
• Track proposed revisions and facilitate vendor responses so legal and business concerns are addressed.
• Track and regularly report cost savings achieved through contract negotiations.
• Identify and implement best practices and innovative solutions that improve contract-management efficiency and effectiveness.
• Build and maintain productive, long-term relationships with key technology vendors.

Skills for Success 

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in technology, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience. 
• 4+ years of experience negotiating and managing technology contracts. 
• Experience drafting, reviewing, redlining, negotiating, and finalizing technology agreements. 
• Experience coordinating contract reviews with attorneys or an in-house legal department is preferred (law degree, paralegal certification, or license to practice law is NOT required)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to work tactfully and effectively with vendors, suppliers, and contractors.
• Ability to work effectively with Corporate Counsel and translate business and technology requirements into clear information that supports legal review.
• Ability to distinguish among business, financial, operational, technical, and legal contract issues and route them to the appropriate stakeholder.
• Ability to coordinate negotiations involving vendors, attorneys, technology professionals, financial staff, and business owners.
• Knowledge of contract and purchasing regulations and standards.
• Experience using contract-management software and other relevant business tools.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail when reviewing contracts and coordinating proposed revisions.
• Ability to manage diverse contractual matters, balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and consistently produce high-quality work.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and contribute effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

The TASB Difference

• Enjoy competitive pay and rich benefit offerings. 
• Be part of a collaborative environment where every contribution impacts Texas public schoolchildren. 
• Thrive in a culture that promotes bringing your whole self to work every day and emphasizes healthy boundaries and work-life balance. 
• Learn and grow individually and together through frequent professional development, wellness seminars, and more. 
• Work alongside transparent leaders with an open and consistent feedback approach.
• Celebrate as a team with meaningful (and fun) events and tokens of appreciation throughout the year. 

Posting Notices

• Salary commensurate with experience. 
• The health and safety of our employees and members is our top priority. 
• The Association is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against an individual based on any of the following personal characteristics protected by law: race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including in relation to marital status, pregnancy, pay, sexual orientation or gender identity), age, disability, genetics or veteran status.
• This position does not qualify for visa sponsorship. 
• Any job offer is contingent upon receipt of results of a satisfactory background check. 

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