IT Vendor Manager (ITVM-M/ETS) - Project

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington Health Care Authority is seeking an IT Vendor Manager for a full-time hybrid role based in Olympia. The position will manage relationships with Epic and over 50 vendors for the Health Care Management & Coordination System (HCMACS) Enterprise EHR deployment across Washington.

The role requires onsite presence 1–2 days a week and more frequently during implementation phases. You will work across state agencies to ensure vendor performance, contracts, SLAs, warranties, and

Qualifications

• Proven experience in successfully managing vendors/third parties, including policies, performance, vendor risk, relationships, contracts (including negotiations), and issue and dispute resolution.
• Demonstrated experience and technical subject matter expertise in EHR, healthcare IT vendor contracting, and IT vendor management.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with key leadership and program management staff across multiple state agencies.
• Manage and develop relationships with enterprise EHR vendors such as Epic and third-party vendors.
• Oversee IT vendor contracts, SLAs, reporting, and warranties to ensure effective service delivery.
• Provide senior management with leadership and expertise to ensure contracts are in place and managed for the enterprise EHR solution.
• Build strong relationships with program vendors to support successful outcomes.

Skills

Tech contracts

People skills

Communication skills

Contract management

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

IT Vendor Manager

This is a full‑time hybrid position. This position will be required to be onsite at least 1‑2 days a week and will be required to be onsite more frequently to support implementation efforts and business needs.

This project position is funded through 06/30/2027. The program has requested funding to continue implementation efforts in state fiscal year 2028/29, which is dependent on legislative approvals.

All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.

The Opportunity

This position manages vendor relationships and their contracts with Epic and ~50 other vendors for the Health Care Management and Coordination System (HCMACS) Enterprise EHR being implemented in Washington, which is one of the first states to launch such a program. This is an innovative project that will have real positive change on health care across the state, so we are in search of a candidate who will find this opportunity as exciting as we do!

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with key leadership and program management staff that spans multiple state agencies.
• Manage and develop relationships with enterprise EHR vendors such as Epic and all third-party application vendors.
• Manage IT vendors and IT professional services vendor contracts, service level agreements (SLAs), reporting, and warranties.
• Provide senior management, leadership, and expertise to ensure contracted services are in place and managed effectively for the enterprise multi-agency EHR solution.
• Build strong professional relationships with all program vendors that results in an efficient, collegial environment of shared responsibility for program success.
• Lead and support solicitation, procurement, and contract negotiations with potential vendors.
• Ensure compliance with all appropriate rules governing contract administration.
• Monitor, control, and report on all warranties, contract obligations, and deliverables for HCMACS Program leadership and external stakeholders.
• Manage and monitor IT vendor budgets in alignment with HCMACS budget and financial staff.
• Communicate and escalation contract and vendor issues and risks through the program management office

Why You’ll Love This Role

• You will join a growing team early in its development, giving you the opportunity to further shape this work and its impact on Washingtonians.
• You will manage vendor relationships for an innovative enterprise electronic health records project across Washington state.
• You will work with partner agencies to develop, execute, and manage these contracts centrally housed in HCA.

What You Bring

• Experience with tech contracts: You have managed technology contracts, especially electronic health records (and preferably Epic).
• People skills: You have successfully worked with partners inside and outside of your organization to get complicated things done.
• Communication skills: You have strong communications skills to ensure expectations, risks, issues are clear while continuing to build solid relationships with vendors and teams.
• Contract management skills: You love negotiating and managing the details of contracts, which requires an attention to detail and requires a lot of back-and-forth communication with vendors and program teams.

Required Qualifications

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application.

• Proven experience in successfully managing vendors/third parties, including, but not limited to, policies, performance, vendor risk, relationships, contracts (including negotiations), and issue and dispute resolution.
• Demonstrated experience and technical subject matter expertise in EHR, healthcare IT vendor contracting, and IT vendor management.

Qualifying candidates will satisfy one of the following requirement options:

Option 1:

• Nine (9) years of progressive professional IT experience in IT vendor management, and
• Two (2) or more years as a senior level supervisor.

Option 2:

• Associate degree or equivalent in a field that relates to information technology, contracting, management, or IT related field,
• Seven (7) years of progressive professional IT experience in IT vendor management, and
• Two (2) or more years as a senior level supervisor.

Option 3:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a field that relates to information technology, contracting, management, or IT related field,
• Five (5) years of progressive professional IT experience in IT vendor management, and
• Two (2) or more years as a senior level supervisor.

Option 4:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a field that relates to information technology, contracting, management, or IT related field,
• Three (3) years of progressive professional IT experience in IT vendor management, and
• Two (2) or more years as a senior level supervisor.

Option 5:

• Three (3) years as a senior level IT Vendor Management Supervisor in state government performing the experience listed above.

Required Competencies

• Equity lens – All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow – You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you’ve learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others – You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications

While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant.

• Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to understand key concepts and communicate effectively with vendors, technical staff, business stakeholders, and senior management.
• Proven ability to collaborate, build relationships, and influence individuals at all levels in a matrix-management environment (as well as external vendors and service providers) to ensure that segregation and overlapping roles are identified and coordinated.
• Strong problem-solving ability with a focus on managing to business outcomes through collaboration with multiple internal and external parties.
• Strong organizational skills, the ability to perform under pressure, and management of multiple priorities and projects with competing demands for resources.
• Certifications including:
  • Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)
  • Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
  • Certified Technology Procurement Executive (CTPE)
  • Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Demonstrated experience in Information Technology Information Library (ITIL) concepts and standards for managing IT services, development and operations.
• Understanding of the vendor life cycle (sourcing, procurement, vendor management), and how to manage internal and external stakeholders throughout the duration of vendor engagements.
• Broad knowledge of the IT industry and the products and services provided by technology vendors.

About the program

The Health Care Management & Coordination System (HCMACS) Program is under the leadership of Washington’s Health and Human Services Enterprise Coalition (HHS Coalition), which includes the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Health Benefit Exchange (HBE), HCA, Department of Corrections (DOC) and Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech).

In 2024, Epic was selected as the Enterprise EHR System vendor. This comprehensive Epic solution, along with hosting services and over 50 individual third-party applications, will become the HCMACS Enterprise EHR System. HCMACS will be configured to meet needs across DOC, DSHS, and HCA to improve care coordination across the state. Successful implementation of this new program and service will have an unprecedented impact for those receiving health care services from Medicaid providers throughout the state, corrections facilities, and state hospitals. HCMACS resides within the HCA.

About the Washington State Health Care Authority

Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington.

At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. As the State’s largest health care purchaser and behavioral health authority, HCA serves nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs, and behavioral health services. Through this work, HCA purchases and coordinated care coverage, supports behavioral health prevention, treatment, crisis response, and recovery and helps strengthen access to high -quality care across Washington.

More than a benefits package:

We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do their best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future.

• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Your total compensation is more than your paycheck:

• Remote work and flexible schedules
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Work Location and Schedule

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week hybrid position. You will report to the HCA office located in Olympia, WA for in-person work. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs. When working in-person, you will work in a shared space, open office environment. In this role you’ll regularly collaborate with colleagues, agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace:

The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work.

Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee led Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth.

Veterans

We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214 documentation to your application. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

Need accommodations or have questions?

If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Jake Nelko, human resources consultant – recruiter, at [e-mail] and reference the recruitment title and job number in the subject line.

Technical Support

Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.