Senior Procurement Officer - Information Technology; IT

Senior Procurement Officer – Information Technology (IT)

Center for Public Partnerships & Research seeks a Senior Procurement Officer to lead strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and procurement execution for IT categories at the University of Kansas. This fully remote position (within Kansas) supports software/SaaS, IT professional services, hardware, cloud, cybersecurity, and maintenance agreements.

The role manages complex, high-risk technology acquisitions, leads competitive sourcing, negotiates licensing and data‑security terms, and ensures compliance with university policy and state regulations. The incumbent collaborates with KU Information Technology, Information Security, Office of General Counsel, Risk Management, Finance, and campus stakeholders to optimize value and support KU’s digital transformation.

• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Execution (25%)
  • Develop and manage strategic sourcing initiatives for IT categories aligned with institutional goals.
  • Conduct market research, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership analysis.
  • Identify cost‑saving, risk‑reducing, and value‑added procurement strategies.
  • Lead competitive bidding processes (RFPs, RFQs, renewals, vendor evaluations).
• Contract Negotiation & Supplier Management (25%)
  • Negotiate complex IT contracts, including SaaS agreements, licensing terms, warranties, cybersecurity and data‑privacy requirements, and SLAs.
  • Draft and manage contracts aligned with KU policies and state regulations.
  • Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure procurement outcomes support institutional priorities.
  • Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships and oversee performance.
  • Manage contract lifecycle activities including renewals, amendments, compliance monitoring, and evaluations.
  • Analyze supplier trends and market developments for strategic planning.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement (25%)
  • Serve as primary procurement liaison for KU IT and stakeholders across units.
  • Facilitate cross‑functional meetings to align technical, financial, legal, and security requirements.
  • Educate stakeholders on procurement best practices and contract standards.
  • Collaborate across departments to improve transparency and enterprise‑wide decision‑making.
• Compliance, Policy, & Process Improvement (25%)
  • Ensure compliance with procurement policies, state regulations, data‑security standards, and accessibility requirements.
  • Improve procurement processes to enhance efficiency, transparency, and institutional control.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and support audits, risk assessments, and reporting.
  • Provide training and guidance to stakeholders on IT procurement and policy interpretation.

• Occasional travel (2–3 times per year) for in‑person training, conferences, or regional procurement events.
• Occasional travel to/from the KU Lawrence campus for meetings and sourcing events.

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2 years of related experience OR high school diploma/GED and six years of related experience.
• Experience managing procurement for complex IT goods, services, or software.
• Strong negotiation skills with a record of favorable terms or cost savings.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication and relationship‑building skills with cross‑functional teams.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices, contracting processes, and supplier management.
• Experience with enterprise procurement systems and contract management tools.

• Experience in higher education, government, or public‑sector procurement venues.
• Professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CPPO, PMP).
• Experience sourcing software/SaaS, IT consulting, cloud computing, or cybersecurity solutions.

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume.
• List of three professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday, January 12, 2026 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Contact:
Ben Lizak, Chief Procurement Officer – ben.lizak

$90,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience

Monday February 2, 2026