Novalink Solutions LLC
Job Description
Milwaukee County is looking for a Business Analyst contractor with skills as an IT Contracts Manager to augment our existing contracts employees. The IT Contracts Manager is a non‑supervisory position responsible for managing the IT contract life cycle, which includes amendments, changes, modifications, and enforcement of performance clauses, including incentives and remedies. The role serves as the key contact and subject‑matter expert for contract‑related and tender activities involving IT services, hardware, software, and related items across the County. Responsibilities include statutory analysis, negotiation of contract terms, conditions, modifications, incentives, and remedies, resolution of problems, mitigation of delays, audit assistance, dispute mediation, issue escalation, and coordination with Procurement and stakeholders to secure the best financial terms and conditions from vendors.
Essential Duties / Responsibilities Vendor Contract Process
Coordinate with Business Relationship and DAS‑Procurement team members to identify contracting requirements for RFIs, RFPs, etc.
Establish contract management objectives, procedures, templates, and workflow processes for vendor contracts and deliverable schedules for MSAs, PAs, SOWs, MOUs, amendments, etc.
Maintain a contract management database with executed contracts/agreements and vendor information, and track obligations, deliverables, and change notes.
Coordinate with Corporation Counsel, DAS‑Risk Management, DAS‑Procurement, Audit Services, etc., to develop and insert appropriate legal protections in contracts.
Develop a knowledge base of negotiating strategies, best practices, and negotiation personnel and teams.
Administer commercial and financial arrangements with vendors to include billing, invoicing, performance incentives, and remedies.
Collaborate with vendors and stakeholders to establish clear contract change control processes.
Coordinate with other key County stakeholder departments/divisions (e.g., Audit Services, Comptroller, DAS‑Procurement, DAS‑Office of Economic Inclusion) on vendor performance oversight.
Continuously improve processes, procedures, workflow, and organizational structures for contract management.
Vendor Pricing and Market Insight
Understand relevant market trends and vendors, gather and analyze market and industry data.
Effectively communicate a clear and concise contract overview (summary of key terms, risks, opportunities, service delivery guidelines, etc.) to stakeholders.
Ensure pricing remains competitive and identify cooperative agreements applicable to initiatives.
Manage contract review meetings, develop regular reports on milestones, execution, and risk, and inform internal customers, vendors, and management through written and verbal communication.
Education Bachelor’s Degree or Above – Area of specialization/major: Business, Information Technology, Paralegal, Pre‑Law
Work Experience Five or more years of experience in Contract Management or Paralegal Work, with emphasis on technology or IT service agreements. No supervisory/management experience required.
Additional Information
Conceptual Thinking – Able to determine contractual and financial exposure and negotiate contracts; knowledge of contracting trends, licensing models, and performance models.
Business Acumen – Market knowledge of the IT landscape; strong project and process management skills; ability to manage multiple vendors/contracts; understanding of contract risks; knowledge of best practices for IT contract negotiation tactics and strategies; understanding of applicable regulations.
Collaboration – Strong communication with IT users, legal, procurement staff, and business leaders; customer‑focused approach; strong relationship and interpersonal skills.
Decisiveness – Ability to distinguish required vs. “nice to have”; manage conflicting stakeholder needs.
Requirements
Five or more years of experience in Contract Management or Paralegal Work.
Knowledge of best practices for IT contract negotiation tactics and strategies.
Ability to determine contractual and financial exposure and negotiate contracts.
Bridge communications between IT and business organizations with focus on structuring contracts to deliver against business needs.
Knowledge of contracting trends, licensing models, and emerging performance models (nice to have).
Strong project and process management skills (nice to have).
Understanding of contract risks and ability to craft risk mitigation strategies (nice to have).
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Essential Duties / Responsibilities Vendor Contract Process
Coordinate with Business Relationship and DAS‑Procurement team members to identify contracting requirements for RFIs, RFPs, etc.
Establish contract management objectives, procedures, templates, and workflow processes for vendor contracts and deliverable schedules for MSAs, PAs, SOWs, MOUs, amendments, etc.
Maintain a contract management database with executed contracts/agreements and vendor information, and track obligations, deliverables, and change notes.
Coordinate with Corporation Counsel, DAS‑Risk Management, DAS‑Procurement, Audit Services, etc., to develop and insert appropriate legal protections in contracts.
Develop a knowledge base of negotiating strategies, best practices, and negotiation personnel and teams.
Administer commercial and financial arrangements with vendors to include billing, invoicing, performance incentives, and remedies.
Collaborate with vendors and stakeholders to establish clear contract change control processes.
Coordinate with other key County stakeholder departments/divisions (e.g., Audit Services, Comptroller, DAS‑Procurement, DAS‑Office of Economic Inclusion) on vendor performance oversight.
Continuously improve processes, procedures, workflow, and organizational structures for contract management.
Vendor Pricing and Market Insight
Understand relevant market trends and vendors, gather and analyze market and industry data.
Effectively communicate a clear and concise contract overview (summary of key terms, risks, opportunities, service delivery guidelines, etc.) to stakeholders.
Ensure pricing remains competitive and identify cooperative agreements applicable to initiatives.
Manage contract review meetings, develop regular reports on milestones, execution, and risk, and inform internal customers, vendors, and management through written and verbal communication.
Education Bachelor’s Degree or Above – Area of specialization/major: Business, Information Technology, Paralegal, Pre‑Law
Work Experience Five or more years of experience in Contract Management or Paralegal Work, with emphasis on technology or IT service agreements. No supervisory/management experience required.
Additional Information
Conceptual Thinking – Able to determine contractual and financial exposure and negotiate contracts; knowledge of contracting trends, licensing models, and performance models.
Business Acumen – Market knowledge of the IT landscape; strong project and process management skills; ability to manage multiple vendors/contracts; understanding of contract risks; knowledge of best practices for IT contract negotiation tactics and strategies; understanding of applicable regulations.
Collaboration – Strong communication with IT users, legal, procurement staff, and business leaders; customer‑focused approach; strong relationship and interpersonal skills.
Decisiveness – Ability to distinguish required vs. “nice to have”; manage conflicting stakeholder needs.
Requirements
Five or more years of experience in Contract Management or Paralegal Work.
Knowledge of best practices for IT contract negotiation tactics and strategies.
Ability to determine contractual and financial exposure and negotiate contracts.
Bridge communications between IT and business organizations with focus on structuring contracts to deliver against business needs.
Knowledge of contracting trends, licensing models, and emerging performance models (nice to have).
Strong project and process management skills (nice to have).
Understanding of contract risks and ability to craft risk mitigation strategies (nice to have).
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