Systems Acquisitions Manager (Vacancy)

City of Columbus; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Columbus seeks a Systems Acquisitions Manager to lead the IT acquisitions function, coordinating procurement strategy, market analysis, and vendor negotiations across City departments. You will establish standards, SLAs, and governance while guiding a team of professionals to deliver timely, compliant technology solutions.

You will collaborate with the Department of Technology, Purchasing, and City leadership to balance business needs, cybersecurity requirements, and long‑term value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 5+ years of IT accounts management experience.
• Substitution: additional experience may substitute for education; Master’s degree may substitute for one year.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage IT acquisitions across City departments.
• Develop service-level agreements and boilerplate terms for IT purchases.
• Lead evaluations of vendors, RFPs, and bid processes.
• Coordinate testing and implementation of departmental systems with IT staff and users.
• Advise senior leadership on IT procurement, standards, and cybersecurity alignment.
• Supervise Systems Acquisitions staff and set priorities and workload.

Skills

IT account management

Business systems analysis

Cost analysis

Contract preparation

Hardware/software procurement

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/related field

Master's degree substitution for experience

Job description

The Department of Technology is seeking an experienced technology professional to serve as the Systems Acquisitions Manager. Under direction, this position will lead and manage the Systems Acquisitions section and provide strategic and operational leadership for the City’s acquisition of information technology solutions and services.

The Systems Acquisitions Manager will lead a team responsible for supporting City departments throughout the technology acquisition lifecycle, including technology procurement consultation, needs assessment, market research and analysis, RFx development, solution and bid evaluation, technology contract review and negotiation, and vendor performance assessment. The position will work collaboratively with City departments and key partners across the Department of Technology, Purchasing, the City Attorney’s Office, Cybersecurity, IT governance and portfolio management, fiscal services, and other subject matter experts to facilitate coordinated, timely, and informed technology acquisition decisions. Performs related duties as required.

The successful candidate will provide leadership in developing and continuously improving the Systems Acquisitions function, including establishing consistent processes, service standards, roles and responsibilities, performance measures, documentation, and escalation practices. The position will promote early engagement and appropriate due diligence in technology acquisitions while helping ensure proposed solutions are aligned with City technology standards, cybersecurity requirements, applicable policies and regulations, enterprise strategy, business needs, and long-term value.

The Systems Acquisitions Manager will serve as a trusted advisor and coordinator for technology acquisitions, balancing business objectives, technical requirements, risk, cost, and procurement considerations while promoting collaboration and transparency among stakeholders. The position will supervise Systems Acquisitions staff, establish priorities and workload, support staff development, and foster a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented team environment.

(May not include all of the duties that may be performed.)

• Plans and executes the acquisition of large and complex information technology solutions involving multiple variables, systems, vendors, and departments;
• Oversees and coordinates the creation and execution of service-level agreements between the Department of Technology and City departments;
• Develops and promulgates boilerplate information technology specific terms and conditions, solicitation language, City Code revisions, and policies and procedures for use by City departments and purchasing offices;
• Supervises Information Technology Account Managers to include the completion of performance evaluations, approval of leave requests, and initiation of discipline;
• Consults with department representatives to develop an understanding of the specific needs and technical requirements necessary to conduct departmental business and strategic plans;
• Analyzes technical requests and reviews available contemporary technology for compatibility and adaptability to current City systems and equipment;
• Establishes acceptance milestones, methods, holdbacks, and criteria to include defect resolution, testing, and final acceptance;
• Prepares, evaluates, and/or reviews service-level agreements for accuracy and adherence to budget and department objectives;
• Provides price proposals and hardware and software specifications for use in service-level agreements; assists in budget planning, competitive bidding, and procurements;
• Collaborates with technical specialists in areas such as database and programming to adapt systems to specific departmental requirements; identifies potential problems and recommends solutions;
• Coordinates the testing and implementation of departmental technical systems with technology staff, department personnel, and/or consultants;
• Develops and submits information technology requests for application development and maintenance enhancements utilizing the appropriate documentation;
• Provides routine status reporting to senior leadership at City departments and the Department of Technology on current and proposed information technology initiatives;
• Advises senior leadership in the Director’s office at the Department of Technology on all pertinent matters relating to the application of information technology within all customer accounts.

Possession of a bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of experience managing information technology accounts including business systems analysis, cost analysis, contract preparation, and hardware/software procurement. Substitution(s): Additional experience as listed above may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis. Possession of a master’s degree may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Recruitment #: 26-0604-V1

Employment Type: Full-Time (Regular)

Should you have questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:

Kimberly Hetterscheidt

Department of Technology

Division of Information Services

1111 E. Broad St.

Columbus, Ohio 43205

P: [phone]

E: [e-mail]

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer