VMO Business Partner

Harvard Central Administration (CADM) Talent Acquisition; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision health ins

Retirement plans with university

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits and campus perks

Job summary

Harvard University’s Central Administration seeks an experienced IT Vendor Management professional to manage vendor relationships, negotiate IT agreements, and drive cost optimization as part of the VMO/IT Contracts team. This hybrid role supports multiple internal clients and requires collaboration with procurement, legal, and security teams.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in vendor management or IT contracting, strong negotiation and analytics skills, and a track record of delivering value

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 7+ years of vendor management, procurement, IT contracting, or related experience.
• Experience with SaaS, cloud contracting, data security, and compliance topics preferred.
• MBA, CPSM certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support negotiations for complex IT agreements, including Software License Agreements, SaaS Agreements, SLAs, Statements of Work, and Professional Services Agreements.
• Structure, draft, and review contracts to ensure favorable pricing, strong terms, and risk mitigation.
• Serve as Harvard’s representative in discussions with external vendors regarding terms, conditions, and performance.
• Maintain accurate vendor documentation, contract records, SLAs, KPIs, and performance dashboards.
• Monitor vendor performance-to-contract, address service gaps, and drive vendor accountability.
• Collaborate with service owners, business partners, and technical teams to align vendor support.

Skills

Vendor management

Procurement

IT contracting

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Cost optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Procurement systems

Contracting tools

Analytics platforms

Job description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to understanding our users and devoted to making it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn, and work through the effective use of information technology. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment we are looking for you!

More About HUIT

Our Mission: huit.harvard.edu/about

We empower the Harvard community with essential and transformative technologies to advance education, knowledge, and discovery.

• Human-centered
• University-focused
• Innovation-driven
• Team-oriented

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff)

HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/.

Job Description

Working closely with procurement colleagues, service owners, financial partners, and other key stakeholders, this role manages a portfolio of IT vendors; leads negotiations and contract activities; ensures performance-to-contract; and advances vendor management excellence across the university.

The VMO Business Partner reports to the Director, IT Vendor Management & Operations.

You’ll Succeed in This Role Because You Are…

• A natural relationship-builder who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment
• Strategic and analytical, able to balance long-term planning with near-term priorities
• Curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning
• Highly ethical, accountable, and service-oriented
• Proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement, cost optimization, and innovation

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Vendor & Contract Management

• Lead and support negotiations for complex IT agreements, including: Software License Agreements, SaaS Agreements, SLAs, Statements of Work, and Professional Services Agreements
• Structure, draft, and review contracts to ensure favorable pricing, strong terms, and risk mitigation
• Serve as Harvard’s representative in discussions with external vendors regarding terms, conditions, and performance
• Ensure conformance with university policies and compliance requirements by partnering with: Strategic Procurement, OGC, Risk Management & Audit Services, Financial Administration, Information Security, Digital Accessibility, and other SMEs
• Maintain accurate vendor documentation, contract records, SLAs, KPIs, and performance dashboards

Portfolio & Relationship Management

• Manage a portfolio of assigned IT vendors, acting as the primary relationship owner
• Conduct regular business reviews with vendors to evaluate performance, resolve issues, and align on future objectives
• Monitor performance-to-contract, address service gaps, elevate issues, and drive vendor accountability
• Identify and showcase opportunities for vendor-driven innovation and value creation

Financial & Performance Analysis

• Support finance team in financial and operational analytics related to vendor spend, performance trends, SLA compliance, risks, and cost-saving opportunities
• Support finance team in analyzing purchasing patterns and develop category-level insights to support strategic decisions
• Support cost-reduction initiatives and evaluate alternative sourcing or solution options

Stakeholder Collaboration & Strategy

• Collaborate closely with service owners, business partners, and technical teams to understand needs and align vendor support
• Participate in defining and implementing HUIT’s enterprise-wide vendor management strategy
• Lead and contribute to VMO-driven initiatives, process improvements, and standardization efforts across HUIT
• Promote the adoption of vendor management best practices across the university

Other Responsibilities

• Stay current on emerging technologies, vendor capabilities, market trends, and contracting models
• Provide mentoring or guidance to colleagues (more explicitly for Senior role)
• Abide by the Harvard University IT Code of Conduct

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum 7+ years of relevant vendor management, procurement, IT contracting, or related experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Working knowledge of IT products, services, infrastructure, software, cloud technologies, and licensing structures
• Experience with SaaS, cloud contracting, data security, and compliance topics
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; strong analytical and Excel skills
• Experience using ITSM tools, procurement systems, contracting tools, or analytics platforms
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, lead projects, and operate in a complex, decentralized environment
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and communication skills
• MBA, Master’s degree, or CPSM certification a plus

Additional Information

• Hybrid - Onsite as needed with advance notice
• The hire must live in a commutable state: ME, MA, NH, or RI
• Working Conditions: Onsite work is performed in an office setting
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application. This position has an 180-day orientation and review period.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.