IT Contract Specialist (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, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas. WHO YOU ARE: Seeking a professional to provide contract leadership on a portfolio of complex Information Technology (IT) contracts and solicitations. The ideal candidate will e?ectively organize, prioritize and manage multiple assignments and priorities, work e?ectively and independently in a dynamic environment, communicate in a professional and customer-focused manner, and collaborate with other IT teams, TWC Purchasing and Contract Services, and O?ce of General Counsel, as well as internal and external business customers to accomplish work. WHAT YOU WILL DO: As an IT Contract Specialist/Contract Manager (senior-level), you will report to the IT Acquisitions Manager and play a pivotal role in technology procurements and contract management for TWC. Your responsibilities will span the entire contract lifecycle, from procurement planning through contract award and contract management. Key Responsibilities Include: -Contract Development: Leading development and overseeing the procurement of a broad range of technology-related goods, services and solutions. -Contract Management: Overseeing and managing technology-related contracts from initiation through close-out, ensuring adherence to terms for goods, services, deliverables, performance standards, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This role demands considerable to extensive independent judgment and initiative, operating with minimal supervision. The Contract Specialist/Contract Manager performs advanced to highly advanced (senior-level) contract management work. Work involves coordinating, developing, and evaluating a broad range of contracts. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable to extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. YOU WILL BE ENTRUSTED TO: Contract Development: -Perform advanced to highly advanced contract development work within the IT division to acquire technology goods and services through Department of Information Resources (DIR) Cooperative Contracts, DIRs Shared Technology Services (STS) Program, DIRs Telecom Program, as well as Open Market procurements. -Develop needs assessments, proprietary justifications, and comprehensive solicitation documents including gathering and documenting business, technical, performance, and other requirements to be included in Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Offers (RFO), and Statements of Work (SOW) documents. -Participate in the evaluation, negotiations, and acceptance of contracts. -Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and agency laws, rules, policies, and procedures in all procurement and contracting processes. Contract Management: -Perform advanced to highly advanced contract management within the IT division to manage technology-related contracts including hardware, software, Software as a Service (SaaS) licenses, maintenance and operations support services, application development, telecommunications, data communications, and IT Staff Augmentation. -Draft Deliverable Expectations Documents (DED) and coordinate reviews and approvals of acceptance criteria and final deliverables. -Monitor contract requirements and vendor performance to assess compliance with contractual obligations; track deliverables for timely submission and quality; hold vendors accountable for contract compliance; and recommend and take corrective actions as needed. -Develop and facilitate the review and approval of contract amendments within established guidelines. -Develop and manage contract-related budget trackers; validate invoices for accuracy and within scope; and review cost estimates and projections ensuring funds are available in the contract. Collaboration: -Collaborate with team members to provide innovative and continuous improvement of processes, support and assist team members, and work effectively as a cohesive unit. -Collaborate with appropriate stakeholders to develop needs assessments, proprietary justifications, gather/document requirements for solicitation documents, complete Vendor Performance Reports, and close out assigned contracts. -Collaborate with the purchasing department to develop and ensure the solicitation schedule for assigned IT procurements stays on schedule. -Coordinate with DIR STS for assigned STS contracts and solicitations providing required solicitation documents and vendor performance reports in accordance with state statute and agency policies and procedures. -Perform other duties as assigned to maintain IT operations. REQUIRED: Formal Certi?ed Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) certi?cation and Certi?ed Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) certi?cation or must obtain CTCM certi?cation within six months of employment and CTCD certi?cation within one (1) year of employment and maintain both certi?cations throughout employment. YOU QUALIFY WITH: -Contract Specialist IV: Four years of full-time experience in contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers; or in the delivery of workforce development services which included contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers. -Contract Specialist V: Five years of full-time experience in contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers; or in the delivery of workforce development services which included contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, or training of contract providers or customers. -Both Levels: Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position. YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH: -Four years of experience with technology-related contract management and purchasing/procurement management in local, state or federal government. -Knowledge of applicable local, state, or federal rules, regulations and policies related to technology procurement and contract management for Texas State agencies. Knowledge of procurement and contract management policies and procedures as de?ned in the Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide. -Experience with contract management and monitoring of technology-related contracts ensuring goods, services, deliverables, performance, SLAs, and other contract requirements are in compliance with the contract. -Experience with contract development of technology-related solicitation documents including development of business, technical, cybersecurity, and performance requirements. -Experience with Seat Management and/or Data Center Services. -Experience with Comptroller of Public Accounts, DIR, and Data Center Services (DCS)/STS procurement and contract processes for technology goods and services, as well as the DIR exemption requirements and processes. -Experience with reviewing and evaluating contracts and vendor deliverables. -E?ectively demonstrate negotiation and facilitation skills. -Ability to work independently while understanding the need for communicating and coordinating work e?orts