Vendor Manager

Required Skills \& Experience

· Experience managing vendors, contracts, or delivery partners in complex technology environments

· Strong working knowledge of state government procurement, contracting processes, and compliance requirements

· Experience managing large technology contracts, system implementation vendors, SI partners, or SaaS/hosting providers

· Proven ability to interpret SOWs, technical deliverables, project plans, SLAs, acceptance criteria, and contract language

· Ability to drive vendor performance through influence, diplomacy, escalation management, and structured accountability

· Technical fluency to understand systems, integrations, testing workflows, data impacts, and modernization related technical dependencies

· Experience coordinating across cross functional teams, including IT, business leaders, SMEs, and executive stakeholders

· Strong problem solving and analytical skills; ability to proactively identify risks and navigate complex vendor issues

· Experience validating deliverables, reviewing technical documentation, and confirming readiness for acceptance or payment

· Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate contract terms and technical impacts to nontechnical audiences

Desired Attributes

· Highly organized and detail oriented, with the ability to manage many moving contractual and technical components

· Proactive, assertive, and accountable — steps in early to address issues and ensures thorough resolution

· Strong relationship builder who can foster trust while holding vendors to high-performance standards

· Comfortable navigating ambiguity and establishing structure in evolving modernization and operational environments

· Balances firmness with diplomacy, maintaining productive vendor relationships while protecting DMV interests

· Demonstrates sound judgment when balancing contractual obligations, business needs, and technical constraints

· Thrives in fastmoving, high-stakes delivery programs with multiple stakeholders and dependencies

· Brings a continuous improvement mindset and seeks opportunities to improve vendor processes, deliverables, and outcomes

Soft Skills

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex technical or contractual topics

· Skilled at facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution across vendors and internal stakeholders

· Excellent analytical and critical thinking capabilities

· Comfortable coordinating across diverse teams and personality types

· Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining focus on outcomes and timelines

· Resilient, adaptable, and capable of supporting both operational and modernization initiatives simultaneously

· Adaptable and resilient in environments where priorities and needs evolve quickly

Education

· Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, information systems, contract management, or related field

· Equivalent professional experience accepted

· Certifications in contract management, procurement, vendor management, or project delivery are beneficial but not required

Required/Desired Skills

Skill

Required /Desired

Amount

of Experience

Vendor management for complex technology contracts

Required

5

Years

Experience with state government procurement and contracts

Required

5

Years

Managing multiple IT vendors across modernization and operations

Required

5

Years

Contract interpretation, SOW analysis, and compliance support

Required

5

Years

Crossteam coordination (IT, business, product, testing, operations)

Required

5

Years

Vendor performance management and escalation handling

Required

3

Years

Technical fluency (systems, integrations, data, testing)

Highly desired

3

Years

Financial and contract lifecycle management

Highly desired

3

Years

Experience in government, modernization programs, or regulated environments

Desired

3

Years

Continuous improvement of vendor processes and performance

Desired

2

Years