I.T. VENDOR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER

Fulton County; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Fulton County's Information Technology Department is seeking a candidate to manage relationships with existing suppliers and work with new vendors to ensure services align with IT policies and standards. The role focuses on achieving best value for the organization.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least three years of experience in IT contract management or strategic partnerships, including leadership responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science or a related field.
• Three years of experience in strategic partnerships management or IT contract management, including lead or supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Builds and manages vendor relationships and maintains a preferred vendor list.
• Acts as primary contact for contract negotiations, payments, service delivery, and renewals with vendors.
• Monitors vendor performance against SLAs/OLAs and coordinates with IT teams to address issues.
• Ensures licensing compliance and maintains associated documentation.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science or a related field

Job description

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION

CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

NON-NEGOTIABLE SALARY: $80,000.00

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science or a related field required; supplemented by three years of experience in strategic partnerships management or IT contract management or related field, to include lead or supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required

None.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Examination

The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.

Veterans’ Preference

Qualifying veterans will be given preference in the form of a guaranteed invitation to interview for any position to which they applied and have been found to have met the minimum qualifications. Veterans’ preference provides for hiring preference on initial appointment only. To see the full Fulton County Veterans’ Preference Policy and Procedure.

Purpose of Classification

The purpose of this classification is to manage the relationship with Fulton County's existing suppliers/partners on a day to day basis and work with new vendors to ensure services align with Department requirements, IT policies and standards, and deliver the best value for the organization.

Essential Functions

• Builds and manages relationships with vendors that supply products and services to the organization; develops and maintains a decision based, quality-driven preferred vendor list that is reviewed periodically and communicated with all departments; assists in setting selection criteria and potential suppliers evaluation; raises service improvements with the vendor when needed, and manages issue and disputes to resolution; must work with vendor to create cost effective ways to insure coverage and protection of County software/hardware assets.
• Acts as the primary point of commercial contact for vendors/suppliers with regards to contract negotiations, contract payments, service delivery, and contract renewals; works with Department Relations Assistant CIOs and department stakeholders to support negotiations of new or renewed contracts as appropriate; participates in supplier/partner selection and manages and negotiates the issue and renewal of all technology contracts; works with department stakeholders to define Service Level and Operational Level Agreements in contracts with vendors; works with the Procurement team to review and ensure services and invoices are consistent with the terms of the contract; works closely with the departments and IT Management Deputy CIO to define terms in new contracts that best align with department requirements and IT specifications; provides oversight during vendor audits where required and review audit results against existing contracts.
• Monitors and evaluates vendor performance and technology products and provide results to Purchasing and the user department; monitors system performance and review results with agency and vendor; review vendor performance against defined SLAs (Service Level Agreements), OLAs (Operational Level Agreements), and metrics with Department Relations Assistant CIOs and technical teams; works with Technology Innovation Manager to identify new vendors for transformational services, and establish contract terms that allow the organization to sufficiently prototype new solutions.
• Manages assigned department's AML (Annual Maintenance List); works with assigned departments to prepare AML list for budget cycle; works with departments to ensure all AML items are covered and PO's are in place; works with vendors to get estimates for annual maintenance costs; ensures that departments are in compliance with licensing, and support requirements.
• Ensures compliance with County policies and procedures and contract specifications; consults with vendors regarding questions and concerns; make recommendations, monitors financial expenditures related to technology products and service contracts; maintains related documentation and reports.
• Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including Contractor's Performance Reports and Quarterly Vendor Reports; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
• Operates or uses various equipment and supplies in order to complete work assignments: operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.
• Communicates with department heads, supervisor, departmental staff, vendors, project managers, clients, third party service contractors, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Additional Functions

• Performs other related duties as required.

For Applicants With Prior Military Service

We strongly encourage veterans, prior military and transitioning service members to apply. Many of the competencies and transferable skills developed through military service directly support success in this role, including:

• Leadership Under Pressure: Supported mission-critical information technology and communications operations in fast-paced environments; Prioritized multiple technical support requests, system issues, and operational requirements under strict deadlines; Assisted teams in resolving technology-related issues impacting operational effectiveness and service continuity.
• Operational Planning and Execution: Coordinated technology support activities, system implementations, and service delivery initiatives to support organizational objectives; Assisted with planning, deployment, maintenance, and enhancement of information technology systems and services; Supported execution of technology projects, operational improvements, and vendor-supported solutions.
• Adaptability and Rapid Problem Solving: Responded quickly to changing operational and technology requirements; Troubleshot technical issues, service disruptions, and system performance concerns in dynamic environments; Adapted support strategies and technical solutions to meet evolving organizational and customer needs.
• Team Cohesion and Communication: Coordinated with technical personnel, analysts, and leadership to support geospatial operations; Communicated geographic and mapping information clearly to support operational decision-making; Assisted in training and supporting personnel on geospatial systems and mapping tools.
• Safety and Risk Awareness: Identified and mitigated risks associated with information technology systems, vendor services, and operational processes; Monitored compliance with established security, operational, and technology standards to support system integrity and continuity of service; Assisted in evaluating potential impacts of system issues, vendor performance concerns, and operational disruptions; Followed established procedures for handling sensitive information, maintaining data security, and reducing technology-related risks.
• Technical and Equipment Proficiency: Coordinated with technical staff, leadership, contractors, vendors, and customers to support technology operations; Communicated technical information, project status, and service-related issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders; Assisted in training and supporting personnel on technology systems, applications, and operational procedures.

Performance Aptitudes

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or advisory data and information.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.