Business Analyst/Consultant III

IT Contracts Manager

Candidates MUST be WI residents or willing to relocate to WI at their own expense prior to starting. This position can work 100% remotely (within the state of WI).

The IT Contracts Manager is responsible for managing the contract life cycle, which includes amendments, changes, modifications, and enforcement of performance clauses, including incentives and remedies. The IT Contracts Manager acts as the key contact and subject-matter expert for contract-related and tender activities where IT services, hardware, software, etc. are involved across the County. This includes statutory analysis and assisting with negotiating contract terms, conditions, modifications, incentives, and remedies, while working with key stakeholders to ensure requirements are met. Additionally, this position manages the contract execution process, resolving problems, mitigating delays, assisting with audits, mediating disputes, and escalating issues. The IT Contracts Manager also coordinates with Procurement and stakeholders to identify and secure the best financial, terms, and conditions from vendors.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinate with Business Relationship and DAS-Procurement team members to identify contracting requirements for inclusion in Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), etc.
• Establish contract management objectives, procedures, templates, and workflow processes for vendor contracts and deliverable schedules for Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Professional Service Agreements, Statements of Work (SOWs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Amendments, etc.
• Maintain a contract management database, in coordination with the IT Vendor Performance Manager, with executed contracts / agreements and vendor information, as well as contracts / agreements that are under development but are not yet active. Additionally, track obligations, deliverables, and change notes. Manage and control access to documents, as appropriate.
• Coordinate with Corporation Counsel, DAS-Risk Management, DAS-Procurement, Audit Services etc. to develop and insert appropriate legal protections in contracts, as warranted.
• Develop a knowledge base of negotiating strategies, best practices, and negotiation personnel and teams.
• Administer commercial and financial arrangements with vendors to include billing, invoicing, performance incentives, and remedies, where appropriate.
• Collaborate with vendors and key stakeholders to establish clear contract change control processes.
• Coordinate, as needed, with the IT Vendor Performance Manager and other key County stakeholder departments / divisions (e.g., Audit Services, Comptroller, DAS-Procurement, DAS-Office of Economic Inclusion, etc.) on vendor performance oversight.
• Continually improve processes, procedures, workflow, and organizational structures for contract management.
• Understand relevant market trends and vendors. Track, gather, and analyze market and industry data.
• Effectively communicate a clear and concise contract overview (e.g., summary of key contract terms, risks, opportunities, service delivery guidelines, etc.) to stakeholders. Provide clarity on contract elements when required.
• Responsible for ensuring pricing is and remains competitive. Identify cooperative agreements applicable to initiatives.
• Manage contract review meetings to ensure delivery against objectives and contract budgets. Develop regular reports on contract milestones, execution, and risk, and inform internal customers, vendors, and management of activities and progress through regular written and verbal communication.

Top Skills & Years of Experience: 5 or more years of experience in the below:

• Contract Management or Paralegal Work – Experience with negotiating and managing contract life cycles, with an emphasis on technology or IT service agreements
• Experience communicating a clear and concise contract overview (e.g., summary of key contract terms, risks, opportunities, service delivery guidelines, etc.) to stakeholders.
• Administering commercial and financial arrangements with vendors to include billing, invoicing, performance incentives, and remedies, where appropriate.
• Collaboration with vendors and key stakeholders on establishing clear contract change control processes.

Nice to Have Skills:

• Experience working with County stakeholder departments (e.g., Audit Services, Comptroller, DAS-Procurement, DAS-Office of Economic Inclusion, etc.)
• Experience managing contract review meetings to ensure delivery against objectives and contract budgets.