IT Contracting Officer - Des Moines, I​/Hybrid

Overview

IT Contracting Officer
Des Moines, IA/Hybrid
6+ months

RESOURCE NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE TO WORK ONSITE 2-3 Days PER WEEK AS NEEDED. LOCAL REGIONAL ONLY

Description

The Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology is seeking an experienced IT Contracting Officer to support IT contract management, performance monitoring & compliance. This role ensures alignment with state IT standards and strategic objectives. The State of Iowa is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented IT Contracting Officer to join its centralized IT Procurement Team. This position plays a critical role in managing complex IT procurements, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with state and federal procurement laws, policies, and best practices.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in IT contracting, vendor management, and public sector procurement processes.

• Lead and manage end-to-end IT procurement processes, including RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, and sole source justifications.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IT contracts, including software licensing agreements, SaaS, cloud services, hardware, and professional services.
• Collaborate with legal, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, and business stakeholders to ensure contract terms meet technical, legal, and operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with State of Iowa procurement statutes, administrative rules, and internal policies.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation and contract records in the state’s procurement systems.
• Provide guidance and training to internal stakeholders on IT procurement best practices and contract management.
• Monitor vendor performance and support contract enforcement and dispute resolution as needed.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving procurement regulations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Technology, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in IT procurement, contract negotiation, or public sector contracting.
• Strong knowledge of IT contract types (e.g., SaaS, IaaS, perpetual licenses, maintenance/support agreements).
• Familiarity with state or federal procurement regulations and processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills.

• Experience with State of Iowa procurement systems (e.g., Workday, I/3, or similar).
• Professional certifications such as NIGP-CPP, CPPB, CPPO, or NCMA CPCM.
• Experience working in a centralized procurement environment.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and data privacy considerations in IT contracts.