IT Acquisitions Manager (Austin)

WHO WE ARE: Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. This position is based at 1411 Brazos Street, Austin in the Information Technology Division. TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, now or in the future, for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals currently on H-1B, F-1 (OPT/CPT), or H-4 visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas. WHO YOU ARE: TWC is seeking a strategic IT Acquisitions Manager to lead a team and oversee a portfolio of highly complex technology contracts and procurements. The ideal candidate is a leader capable of managing both people and processes in a dynamic environment. You possess the ability to mentor staff, drive operational excellence, and serve as a key liaison between IT, Purchasing and Contract Services, and Office of General Counsel, as well as internal and external business customers. You are a professional communicator who balances technical requirements with business objectives to ensure the successful delivery of IT solutions. WHAT YOU WILL DO: The IT Acquisitions Manager (Manager V) is selected by and accountable to the IT Acquisitions Director with the approval of the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure Services and Chief Information Officer. Performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work administering the daily operations and activities of the IT Contracts team. Work involves establishing goals and objectives; developing guidelines, procedures, and policies, developing schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals; coordinating and evaluating business function, division, or department activities; developing and evaluating budget requests; and monitoring budget expenditures. Supervises the work of others. Work is performed under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Key Responsibilities Include: - Directing the development and procurement strategy for a broad range of technology-related goods and services, including Major Information Resources Projects (MIRP). - Managing the full lifecycle of technology contracts (initiation through close-out). You will ensure your team maintains rigorous standards for deliverables, performance, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). - Driving the implementation of new technology solutions by coordinating with internal Project Managers, stakeholders, and external vendors. You will exercise high-level independent judgment to mitigate risks and ensure high-quality outcomes across the entire IT contract portfolio. YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO: Team Leadership and Development: - Lead a team of contract professionals, providing guidance on complex procurement and contract management matters, conducting performance evaluations, and fostering professional growth. - Manage workload distribution across the team to ensure all IT solicitations and contracts are handled efficiently and meet agency deadlines. - Identify and implement continuous improvements to contract management workflows, templates, and best practices. Contract Development Oversight: - Oversee advanced contract development within the IT division, ensuring the team effectively utilizes Department of Information Resources (DIR) Cooperative Contracts, Shared Technology Services (STS), Telecom Programs, and Open Market procurements. - Review and approve comprehensive solicitation documents (Invitation for Bids, Request for Offers, Statements of Work), ensuring they contain robust business, technical, reporting, and performanc requirements. - Lead or provide oversight during the evaluation and negotiation of technology contracts. - Ensure all team activities remain in strict compliance with Federal, State, and agency laws, including specific DIR Framework Acquisition Plan requirements for MIRPs. Contract Management and Performance: - Monitor the performance of the IT contract portfolio, serving as the primary escalation point for vendor non-compliance or performance issues. - Oversee the review and approval process for Deliverable Expectations Documents (DED) and ensure acceptance criteria are met before final sign-off. - Oversee contract-related budgets; ensure the team is accurately validating invoices, tracking spend against projections, and maintaining fiscal responsibility. - Direct the review and approval of contract amendments, ensuring they align with established guidelines and IT strategy. Stakeholder Collaboration: - Act as a high-level liaison between IT, PCS, and Program Areas to align procurement and contract management efforts with agency-wide business goals. - Collaborate with the Purchasing Services department and General Counsel to streamline the solicitation schedule and resolve complex legal or contractual hurdles. - Maintain strategic relationships with DIR and other state entities to ensure IT operations remain compliant with state statutes and agency procedures. - Provide executive-level reports on contract status, vendor performance, and procurement timelines to IT Leadership. REQUIRED: - Must possess Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) issued by the Texas Comptroller Office of Public Accounts. - Must possess or be able to obtain within six months of employment Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) issued by the Texas Comptroller Office of Public Accounts. - Must maintain both CTCM and CTCD throughout employment. YOU QUALIFY WITH: - Six years of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency, two years of which must have been in an administrative management or supervisory capacity. - Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position. YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH: - Six years of experience managing large-scale, high-risk, and high-visibility procurements and contracts, including 3-5 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity within a local, state, or federal government environment. - Four years of experience managing technology procurements and contracts within a local, state, or federal government environment. - Expert-level knowledge of local, state, and federal procurement rules and regulations. Deep familiarity with the Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide, with the ability to interpret and apply these standards to ensure organizational compliance. - Proven experience establishing and overseeing contract monitoring frameworks to ensure vendor adherence to goods, services, deliverables, performance standards, and SLAs across a broad portfolio. - Demonstrated experience leading the development of complex technology solicitation documents. Ability to provide strategic direction and quality assurance for the documentation of business, technical, cybersecurity, and performance requirements. - Advanced skills in negotiations and conflict resolution. Proven ability to facilitate consensus among diverse stakeholders and secure favorable terms for the agency. - Experience managing or overseeing contracts involving Seat Management, Data Center Services (DCS), and Shared Technology Services (STS). - Expert knowledge of the Comptroller of Public Accounts and DIR procurement processes, including a sophisticated understanding of DIR exemption requirements and state-mandated reporting