Principal IT Contract & Vendor Management Specialist

Job Summary

The desired candidate will have a strong background in managing IT sourcing and procurement and performing contract negotiation (vendor sales and / or buyer procurement).

The candidate needs to be able to show value by providing cost savings and cost avoidance while working collaboratively with contract stakeholders.

Establish and / or approve internal and external policies, standards, and processes for vendor interaction. Develop and mature key sourcing and procurement competencies across IT, such as business relationship management, stakeholder collaboration, best practices for negotiation, analytics, project management, finance, and communication through formal training and mentoring.

Work closely with stakeholders (IT, business, vendor management) to lead major sourcing programs. Possess an executive presence with C-Suite communication style able to converse with people at every level of our IT organization and vendor sales team and executives.

This position will report into the IT Business Management Office and will have a strong background in IT sourcing and procurement and performing contract negotiation (vendor sales and / or buyer procurement).

Continue to enhance, through a collaborative and inclusive approach, an enterprise IT sourcing and procurement strategy that delivers against IT and business strategy priorities and translates IT and business needs into effective IT sourcing and procurement strategies.

Develop and mature key sourcing and procurement competencies, such as business relationship management, stakeholder collaboration, business service planning, best practices for negotiation, analytics, project management, finance, and communication through formal training and mentoring.

Help evolve sourcing and procurement into strategic functions.

Propose vendor and / or industry trends to stakeholders and propose updates and improvements to existing strategies. Help contract owners manage the communication process with vendors, including what information should be communicated, when and by whom, to ensure that appropriate negotiation leverage is preserved.

Keep abreast of industry trends that have an impact on the IT sourcing strategy, through external advisory services, internal procurement and vendor management teams and good working relationships with existing and emerging strategic vendors used by the enterprise.

Identify the drivers, shifts, market dynamics and trends to advise the business and IT teams of the most effective sourcing and procurement strategies across all IT services.

Identify and leverage relevant third-party market intelligence sources.

Work closely with stakeholders (IT, business, vendor management) to lead major sourcing efforts. Provide high-value procurement and contract negotiation consultation to IT contract owners.

Partner with contract owners to build the negotiation strategy and negotiation team for IT contracts. Lead the evaluation of optimal sourcing and pricing options, taking into consideration outsourcing / cloud, hybrid, and insourcing models.

Serve as a point of escalation for vendor issues and disputes and drive those issues to resolution. Incorporate the organization’s strategies, objectives, standards and requirements into all sourcing and procurement initiatives.

Serve as change agent, influencing stakeholders to change organizational culture and processes driving adoption of practices.

Present Vendor Management proposals, updates and outcomes to senior leadership.

Skills (Required for the position) :

Experience with Vendor Management and strong contract negotiation skills.

Knowledgeable in technology contract terms and legal issues.

Executive presence and comfort interacting with both internal senior leaders and vendor senior leaders. Drives discussions with senior leaders.

Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills at the executive level.

Collaborate with senior executives, such as the CIO, CFO, CISO, and business unit heads.

Trusted advisor and participant in business and IT initiatives.

Current knowledge of the global IT product and service market and trends.

Superb relationship-building skills in complex vendor and internal customer relationship environments.

Demonstrates accountability. Strong analytical skills.

Strong stakeholder-influencing skills. Results focused.

Demonstrates integrity through their actions.

Ability to manage conflict and resolve effectively.

Ability to make appropriate decisions and escalate when required.

Skills (Desired for the position) :

Knowledge of business-case development.

Knowledge of financial analysis and management.

Superb problem-solving skills in complex vendor and internal customer relationship environments. Looks to resolve the root cause, not just the specific problem.

Ability to determine appropriate levels of risk acceptance.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in project management or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum of eight years’ experience in Project and Program Management experience across full project lifecycle. Previous experience working with business stakeholders in a cross-functional matrix environment required.

Advanced proficiency with project management software and Microsoft Office required.

Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification preferred.

Benefits

Sanford Health offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, a variety of benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a (k) retirement plan, work / life balance benefits, and a generous time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance.

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Sanford is an EEO / AA Employer M / F / Disability / Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1 or send an email to .

Sanford Health has a Drug Free Workplace Policy. An accepted offer will require a drug screen and pre-employment background screening as a condition of employment.