IT Vendor Management – Senior/Specialist

About WSDOT The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity WSDOT is seeking an experienced technology vendor management professional to provide advanced technical and organizational leadership for the acquisition, governance, performance, risk, and lifecycle management of vendor-provided technology products and services supporting the agency’s highest-priority business initiatives and legislative mandates. Located within the Enterprise Implementation Office, this position will lead strategic technology vendor management initiatives, oversee enterprise technology acquisitions and third-party services, provide guidance on technology procurement and contract management, and coordinate with business and technology teams, vendors, and stakeholders across WSDOT. The position will also lead efforts to modernize and streamline the agency’s technology vendor management program, including centralized vendor management processes and tools, contract development, vendor selection and onboarding, performance management, escalations, and compliance with applicable laws and OCIO policies, standards, and guidelines.

What to Expect The Enterprise Implementation (EI) Office aligns technology and technology resources with customer needs by delivering the agency’s highest-priority and time-sensitive technology investments. Within the Technology Services Division (TSD), the Technology Vendor Management Team works collaboratively with technology subject matter experts, business units, contract managers, and external vendors to research, evaluate, procure, track, and manage technology products and services consistent with WSDOT’s business strategy, architecture, procurement requirements, and financial policies. The centralized vendor management approach provides enterprise-wide consistency and supports WSDOT and partner agencies by streamlining technology procurement and lifecycle management, ensuring vendor deliverables and third-party services meet requirements, and supporting effective management of technology contracts and vendor relationships.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the IT Vendor Management – Senior/Specialist will:

• Provide strategic, tactical and operational planning for technology vendor management support services.
• Lead technology acquisition planning by evaluating vendor-provided products and services for alignment with agency strategic and tactical technology plans and enterprise requirements.
• Partner with technology owners, managers, staff, and business areas to define and prioritize acquisition requirements.
• Lead technology acquisition planning by evaluating vendor-provided products and services for alignment with agency strategic and tactical technology plans and enterprise requirements.
• Work directly with IT vendors (all levels and multi-discipline leads) to negotiate contracts and conduct day to day business for Enterprise IT business and contracting needs.
• Lead discussions w/vendors to resolve issues and handle agency escalations.
• Partner in the evaluation and negotiation of vendor contracts and acquisitions.
• Establish and maintain vendor contracts/acquisitions and assure their efficacy in meeting customer needs.
• Collaborate with business, technical, and procurement stakeholders to identify and evaluate potential vendors based on business needs, technical requirements, and service expectations.
• Establish methods and processes to develop and maintain efficient vendor engagement processes that support effective communication, productive relationships, and shared expectations
• Analyze inherent technology vendor risk and use due diligence to manage vendors.
• Develop and maintain vendor evaluation, management and oversight guidelines, standards, and support procedures per agency and state policies and regulations.

Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

• IT Vendor Management: Demonstrated experience managing IT vendor relationships, vendor-delivered services, and technology integration across multiple IT disciplines. Knowledge and understanding of vendor risks to an organization and the ability to recognize, monitor, manage, and mitigate those risks.
• Technology Products and Services: Demonstrated experience evaluating vendor-provided technology products and services and conduct technical reviews with subject matter experts to support vendor selection, acquisition, and alignment with business and technical requirements.
• Technology Procurement: Demonstrated experience developing, evaluating, or responding to State requests for proposals, qualifications, quotes, or other procurement solicitations (RFXs).
• IT Contracts and Work Orders: Demonstrated ability to develop and administer IT professional services, work orders and contracts, including defining and establishing technical requirements, deliverables, performance expectations, and vendor responsibilities.
• Technology Requirements and Integration: Demonstrated experience analyzing complex technology requirements, evaluating vendor solutions, resolving system integration issues, and coordinating technical and operational solutions and remediation plans with vendors, contracting office, technical teams, and business stakeholders.
• Microsoft Operating Systems: Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft operating systems and their integration within enterprise technology environments. Extensive use of Microsoft productivity applications including SharePoint, Teams and ADO.
• Technology Asset Lifecycle Management: Demonstrated ability to follow technology asset procurement and lifecycle management processes for Enterprise technology acquisitions.
• Contract Management Certification: Completion of Contract Management 401 – Advanced Contract Management – High Risk Course, successful completion of the required course assessment within three (3) months of appointment.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate/have:

• Technology and Business Disciplines: Advanced knowledge and understanding spanning multiple technology and business disciplines, including technology systems, applications, infrastructure, and vendor technology lifecycles.
• Technology Vendor Solutions: Advanced knowledge and experience managing, implementing, deploying, maintaining and operating business systems, applications, and technology vendor solutions.
• Process and Policy Alignment: Experience defining and establishing strategic, enterprise level processes and procedures that benefit the organization by aligning multiple initiatives, resources, and priorities at the enterprise level.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicableCollective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

How to Apply Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity. WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Contact Us For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [email protected]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-04809 in the subject line.