Contract Specialist

NYC Administration for Children's Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is seeking a Contract Specialist to manage the full IT contract lifecycle, from procurement through renewals, ensuring PPB compliance and transparent bidding processes. The role requires strong negotiation, vendor management, and cross‑agency collaboration.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) collaborates with Finance, Legal, ACCO, and OMB to secure funding and approvals while maintaining detailed contract records.

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in computer science, engineering, human computer interaction, interactive media, digital and graphics design, data visualization, communication or a related field, and four years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
• An associate degree from an accredited college in computer science, engineering, human computer interaction, interactive media, digital and graphics design, data visualization, communication or a related field, and six years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and eight years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of IT contracts including procurement, execution, amendments, renewals, and closeouts.
• Develop and oversee RFI, RFQ, RFP, ensuring transparency and compliance with city procurement rules (PPB).
• Prepare proposal packages for prospective vendors and evaluate responses.
• Analyze bids and proposals to ensure that the specifications of binding agreements with vendors comply with ACS’s policies.
• Ensure that signed contracts are communicated to all relevant parties to provide contract visibility and awareness.
• Collaborate with ACCO, Finance, Legal, and OMB to facilitate contract approvals and funding allocation.
• Maintain contractual records and documentation such as contractual changes, vendor information sheets, and documentation for all projects.
• Oversee and execute contract close-outs, extensions, and renewals.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on expenditures, variances, and trends in IT contracts and inter-agency agreements.
• Monitor contract performance, funding, and payments on assigned contracts.
• Serve as the primary liaison between OIT and vendors, service providers, OTI, MOCS, Comptroller, etc.
• Work closely with the Business Law Unit (BLU) to negotiate terms and service-level agreements (SLAs).
• Lead cross-functional meetings with OIT, Finance, ACCO, and Legal to align contract management with strategic IT priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Vendor management

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/HCI/Interactive Media/Data Visualization/Communication

Associate degree in related field + 6 years experience

Bachelor's degree + 8 years experience

Equivalence to above requirements

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Contract management software

Financial tracking tools

Job description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $75,000.00-$85,000.00.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement and programs for youth in the community.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is responsible for providing high quality, reliable, and sustainable technology services, and support to meet the needs of the families and children we serve through ACS, its vendor partners and other City agencies. The DCIO unit oversees and manages the OIT's capital, expense, and personnel services budget. The unit is responsible for maintaining technology, IT staff, and infrastructure and works closely with the Division of Finance, the Office of the Agency's Chief Contracting Officer, and the Office of Administrative Services concerning the contracting and procurement of goods and services. This unit also works closely with agencies like OMB, OTI, MOCS, DCAS, and the Comptroller's Office and is comprised of Budget and Procurement, Mobile Technologies, Contract Management, Asset Management, Strategic Planning, and OIT Personnel.

The role will involve heavy interaction with local and national IT vendor community and inter-governmental agencies such as OTI, OMB, LAW, Comptroller, MOCS etc. In addition, this role requires a candidate that can efficiently handle extensive research needs and provide recommendations to impacted program areas. The workload is highly process-driven, requiring the candidate to be extremely detail oriented.

Contract Specialist responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Manage the full lifecycle of IT contracts including procurement, execution, amendments, renewals, and closeouts.
• Develop and oversee RFI, RFQ, RFP, ensuring transparency and compliance with city procurement rules (PPB).
• Prepare proposal packages for prospective vendors and evaluate responses.
• Analyze bids and proposals to ensure that the specifications of binding agreements with vendors comply with ACS’s policies.
• Ensure that signed contracts are communicated to all relevant parties to provide contract visibility and awareness.
• Collaborate with ACCO, Finance, Legal, and OMB to facilitate contract approvals and funding allocation.
• Maintain contractual records and documentation such as contractual changes, vendor information sheets, and documentation for all projects.
• Oversee and execute contract close-outs, extensions, and renewals.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on expenditures, variances, and trends in IT contracts and inter-agency agreements.
• Monitor contract performance, funding, and payments on assigned contracts.
• Serve as the primary liaison between OIT and vendors, service providers, OTI, MOCS, Comptroller, etc.
• Work closely with the Business Law Unit (BLU) to negotiate terms and service-level agreements (SLAs).
• Lead cross-functional meetings with OIT, Finance, ACCO, and Legal to align contract management with strategic IT priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

The Administration for Children’s Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing access to all individuals. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Simone Campbell at [e-mail] or 212-676-6955.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in computer science, engineering, human computer interaction, interactive media, digital and graphics design, data visualization, communication or a related field, and four years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
• An associate degree from an accredited college in computer science, engineering, human computer interaction, interactive media, digital and graphics design, data visualization, communication or a related field, and six years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and eight years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above.

Preferred Skills

• Strong knowledge of NYC procurement policies, including PASSPort, FMS, and PPB Rules.
• Experience managing capital and expense contracts for IT projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, contract management software, and financial tracking tools.
• Ability to analyze complex contractual and financial data and provide strategic recommendations.
• Excellent negotiation, vendor management, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders including city agencies, vendors, and internal leadership.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to track multiple procurements simultaneously.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

, $75,000.00 – $160,000.00