IT Contracts Manager: Project Madison WI: Remote WI: Non-local rel

Position: IT Contracts Manager: 1+ Yr Project Madison WI: Remote within WI: Non-local candidates MUST rel[...]

Project is Remote within WI. Out-of-State candidates MUST relocate to WI before project start. Virtual Online Interview.

Job Summary IT Contracts Manager

Milwaukee County is looking for a contractor with skills as an IT Contracts Manager to augment our existing contracts employees. The IT Contracts Manager is a non-supervisory position responsible for managing the IT 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.

Essential

Duties / Responsibilities Vendor Contract Process

• 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 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 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.

Vendor Pricing and Market Insight

• 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.

Education

Bachelor s Degree or Above Area of specialization/major:
Business, Information Technology, Paralegal, Pre-Law

Work Experience

Five or more years of experience Contract Management or Paralegal Work Experience with negotiating and managing contract life cycles, with an emphasis on technology or IT service agreements.

No supervisory / management experience required.

Additional Information Conceptual Thinking

• Able to determine contractual and financial exposure and negotiate contracts.
• Knowledge of contracting trends, licensing models, and traditional and emerging contract and vendor performance models.

Business Acumen

• Market knowledge of the IT landscape.
• Strong project and process management skills with the ability to manage multiple vendors and multiple contracts, as well as a wide range of tasks.
• Able to understand contract risks and to work with other parts of the organization in crafting tactics and strategies for risk mitigation.
• Knowledge of best practices for IT contract negotiation tactics and strategies.
• Where applicable, understanding of regulations that affect the contracting approach and vendor behavior.

Collaboration

• Strong ability to communicate with IT users, legal, procurement staff, and business leaders to craft contracts that align complex needs with contractual requirements to…