VENDOR AND CONTRACT MANAGER

Under the guidance of the Chief Information Officer, manages vendor relationships, contracts, modifications to contracts, the enforcement of contract performance clauses, and on-going communication between vendors and the Bureau of Technology (BOT) staff. Provides input and assistance to contract negotiators during pre-award period and manages the post-award life cycle of multi-million-dollar contracts. Develops and manages contract objectives and procedures, utilizes templates, workflow processes, and a comprehensive contract database to track contract vendor deliverables and performance. Assists in developing Statements of Work (SOW); Service Level Agreements (SLA) related to Requests for Proposal (RFP); Requests for Information (RFI); and Requests for Qualifications (RFQ). Manages contract-related communication among representatives of the Bureau of Technology (BOT), County Procurement Office, County Comptroller s Office, internal legal counsel, and subject matter experts. Manages periodic and on-going communication with vendors during the pre-award and post-award contract life cycle. Performs other duties as assigned.

Attention Applicants: Please be advised that the County s job titles are under review and may be subject to change. Changes to job titles listed in postings for County vacancies will not impact the posted salary range.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate is required.
• Six (6) years of full-time work experience negotiating and managing contracts is required. -OR-
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree is required.
• Two (2) years of full-time work experience negotiating and managing contracts is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor s Degree in Business, Information Technology or Public Administration.
• Experience managing Information Technology contracts.

Candidates who are contacted will be required to produce original required documents (e.g., current driver s license, diploma, school transcript, certifications, etc.) listed on the Notice of Job Opportunity within five (5) days of being extended an offer, in writing, by the Bureau Chief of BHR (or designee). Candidates will be notified of how to submit the required document.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Thorough knowledge of contract development, processing and monitoring principles. Thorough knowledge of Illinois State Statutes, County laws and regulations as it applies to purchasing procedures and policies. Skill developing and maintaining effective working relationships with County departments, outside agencies and vendors which includes dispute resolution skills. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of boiler plate contract language, terms and conditions. Ability to maintain, update and create vendor databases. Knowledge of best practices in the procurement process and vendor performance management best practices. Skill developing SOWs; SLAs; RFPs; RFIs; and RFQs. Ability to work with other vendors to manage and expedite contracts. Excellent communication skills with ability to employ such skills in both calm and stressful negotiation scenarios. Ability to identify potential contract risks and develop proposed risk mitigation strategies. Skill analyzing oral and written communication/performance metrics. Ability to analyze administrative problems and adopt an effective course of action.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

VETERAN S PREFERENCE

When applying for employment with Cook County Government, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days, or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION.
• IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS A VETERAN ON THEIR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION BY ANSWERING YES TO THE QUESTION Are you a military veteran?
• ATTACH A COPY OF THEIR DD 214, DD215 or NGB 22 (NOTICE OF SEPARATION) AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE DD 214S, 215S, OR NGB 22S, PLEASE SUBMIT THE ONE WITH THE LATEST DATE. COAST GUARD MUST SUBMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE MILITARY SEPARATION FROM EITHER THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (BEFORE 911) OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (AFTER 911).

VETERAN MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

EEO Statement

Cook County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity ( EEO ) employer. Cook County prohibits illegal discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, housing status, military service or discharge status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected category established by law, statute or ordinance as further defined in Chapter 44. Human Resources, Article II. Personnel Polices, Section 44-53 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances and Chapter 42. Human Relations, Article II. Human Rights, Section 42-35 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances.