Portfolio Operations Specialist

Strategic Data Systems, Inc.; Blue Ash (OH); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation time

Referral bonuses

Job summary

Strategic Data Systems, Inc. (SDS) seeks a Portfolio Operations Specialist for a contract-to-hire role in the Cincinnati area with remote capabilities. Primary focus on contract management for IT labor and services, with additional portfolio operations support.

You will partner with sourcing teams and vendors to manage renewals, changes, and PO activity while ensuring timely, accurate contract data and stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of contract management experience in IT or tech.
• Knowledge of IT services and labor contracting concepts.
• Experience managing multiple contracts with deadlines and renewals.
• Strong organizational skills and detail orientation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholders.
• Strong Excel skills with budgets/invoices.

Responsibilities

• Manage contract activities including new requests, change requests, renewals, and extensions.
• Proactively track contract expiration dates and engage stakeholders in advance of upcoming renewals.
• Coordinate with portfolio leads to understand contract requirements, changes, timelines, and renewal needs.
• Review contract requests for completeness and help ensure required information is captured before moving through the sourcing process.
• Manage multiple contracts and follow-up activities simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to deadlines and detail.
• Support IT labor and services contracts, including managed services, fixed-bid, and time-and-material engagements.
• Partner with sourcing teams, vendors, portfolio leads, and other stakeholders throughout the contract process.
• Place Coupa purchase orders and support related purchasing and invoicing activities.
• Assist with operating budget tracking and other financial or Portfolio Operations activities as needed.
• Maintain accurate contract and operational information within applicable systems and tracking tools.
• Identify upcoming needs and proactively follow up with stakeholders to keep contract activity moving forward.
• Help support planning of contract renewals throughout the year to improve predictability and avoid unnecessary delays.
• Communicate status, risks, and outstanding actions clearly to appropriate stakeholders.

Skills

Contract management

Portfolio operations

Excel

Budgeting

Vendor coordination

Stakeholder management

Communication

Tools

ServiceNow

Coupa

Job description

Careers at SDS

Portfolio Operations Specialist

For more than three decades, Strategic Data Systems (SDS) has been a software consultancy firm specializing in strategy, technology, and business transformation for Fortune 100 companies, mid-sized firms, and startups. At SDS, we empower our development teams to address our clients’ critical business challenges by leveraging cutting edge technologies. If you seek a workplace where your contributions are truly appreciated, then SDS is the company for you. Join us today to work alongside fellow development specialists and become a crucial part of our dynamic and cohesive community.

Contract to Hire

Location Blue Ash, OH

Remote Yes

Job Title: Portfolio Operations Specialist

Location: HIGHLY PREFERRED: Cincinnati, OH (Remote EST/CST is OK - please note, this is a contract to hire position and if converted, in-office out of Cincinnati, OH would be expected)

Years of Experience: 3-5+

Must be able to convert to FTE w/o sponsorship!

Top Skills:

Primary Focus: 75% contract management / 25% broader portfolio operations support

• Contract lifecycle management, including renewals, changes, and proactive deadline tracking
• Strong organization and attention to detail while managing multiple contracts simultaneously
• Excel, budgeting, purchase orders, and related financial/operational processes

Soft Skills:

• Strong communication and listening skills
• Attention to detail
• Collaboration
• Initiative and proactive follow-up
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting timelines

What You’ll Do

This Contract Management Specialist will be responsible for supporting functional areas of Portfolio Operations within a product-led organization, with a primary focus on contract management. This role will support the lifecycle of IT labor and services contracts, including new requests, change requests, renewals, purchase orders, and related financial and operational activities.

Under general supervision of a Portfolio Operations Lead and in partnership with portfolio and sourcing teams, this individual will manage multiple contract activities at varying stages, proactively monitor upcoming deadlines, and work with stakeholders to ensure requests are complete and prepared to move efficiently through the contracting process.

Approximately 75% of the role will focus on contract management, with additional support provided across other Portfolio Operations functions as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3–5 years of contract management experience, preferably supporting IT labor, services, or technology-related contracts.
• Understanding of IT services and labor contracting concepts, including managed services, fixed-bid, and time-and-material agreements.
• Experience managing multiple contracts, deadlines, renewals, and stakeholder requests simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with portfolio leads, sourcing teams, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with budget, financial, and contract-related information.
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively, anticipate upcoming needs, and initiate follow-up without waiting for direction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using ServiceNow for contract or workflow management.
• Experience using Coupa or a comparable procurement platform.
• Experience with purchase orders, invoicing, budgeting, or related financial processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage contract activities including new requests, change requests, renewals, and extensions.
• Proactively track contract expiration dates and engage stakeholders in advance of upcoming renewals.
• Coordinate with portfolio leads to understand contract requirements, changes, timelines, and renewal needs.
• Review contract requests for completeness and help ensure required information is captured before moving through the sourcing process.
• Manage multiple contracts and follow-up activities simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to deadlines and detail.
• Support IT labor and services contracts, including managed services, fixed-bid, and time-and-material engagements.
• Partner with sourcing teams, vendors, portfolio leads, and other stakeholders throughout the contract process.
• Place Coupa purchase orders and support related purchasing and invoicing activities.
• Assist with operating budget tracking and other financial or Portfolio Operations activities as needed.
• Maintain accurate contract and operational information within applicable systems and tracking tools.
• Identify upcoming needs and proactively follow up with stakeholders to keep contract activity moving forward.
• Help support planning of contract renewals throughout the year to improve predictability and avoid unnecessary delays.
• Communicate status, risks, and outstanding actions clearly to appropriate stakeholders.

What You’ll Get

SDS, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

• Competitive base salary
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Optional life and disability insurance provided
• 401(k) with a company match and optional profit sharing
• Paid vacation time
• Paid Bench time
• Training allowance offering
• You’ll be eligible to earn referral bonuses!