Description
RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES
Contract Management: This position's responsibilities and accountabilities include, but are not limited to:
Support the IBM Technology Products Agreements for Software and Hardware:
Understand the scope of agreements for IBM Software and Hardware products
Understand software and software licensing metrics
Support Software License and Entitlement processes
Assist with tracking and reporting of Software licensing entitlement and consumption of licenses in the environment
Work across the IT organization to understand demand for new licenses and plan for that demand in license allocations
Work across the IT organization to understand demand for new software
Assist with weekly operations meetings with IBM on the TPA Software and Hardware
Assist with monthly governance meetings with IBM on the TPA Software and Hardware
Meet deliverables as agreed upon during plan development including application of methodologies (eg Vendor Management, Change Management, Category Management, Supplier Management), and benchmarked best practice spend management
Apply appropriate problem solving, influencing and facilitation techniques to work issues, develop resolutions, and manage corrective actions
Create, manage, and report against the deliverables plan
Track and assess the impacts of contract changes, amendments, schedules and revisions to all in-scope agreements
Track the resolution of contractual disputes and escalate outstanding contract related issues to SMO management
Conduct reviews of procurement requisitions including:
o Provide cost projections of planned acquisitions
o Review specifications, performance terms, and/or acceptance criteria
o Assist with Total Cost of Ownership and Cost Benefit Analysis development
o Create budget information for one year and five year plans
Review contract terms and conditions, usage and inventory with technical owners prior to renewal or invoice processing; discuss and validate any changes
Validate supplier invoices for accuracy and contract compliance, submit to Accounting for processing and track payment progress
Work with Finance to update the monthly budget and forecast, including invoice accruals, payments, amortization and GL reconciliation
Research and assist in selecting potential sources of support and/or services by gathering and analysing market information and leverage this to make effective sourcing decisions
Contribute to the preparation of competitive bids, quotations and proposals with pertinent specifications, terms and conditions
Analyze proposals in support of the bid evaluation process
Maintain an appropriate level of administration around contracts and suppliers, updating all relevant contract-management related systems (contract database, asset database, change management database, equipment records and/or specifications, etc.) accurately and on a timely basis
Support the resolution of issues raised in software audits
Education and Experience
B.S. degree in business, IT, operations, computer science or related technical field, or equivalent IT experience.
4-8 years related experience, with 3+ years managing contracts in large, complex organizations, particularly with respect to governing external hardware or software suppliers to deliver IT products and services at the scales commensurate with the scope of this position (eg, a budget of ~$50M/year or higher)
Knowledge of IBM products, services, and support offerings
Knowledge of contract management including processes, methodologies, change management, and legal terms and conditions
Understanding of IT contracts and value drivers, with ability to work with procurement and legal teams to negotiate contracts
Understanding of software and software licensing
Understanding of contract financial implications and processes (review contract to determine budget, increase caps, escalators, discounting, pro-rated credits, etc.)
Understanding and awareness of IT outsourcing industry and healthcare peer group contractual benchmarking
Previous experience in IT asset management within the healthcare industry
Knowledge of ITIL framework, Total Quality Management or other operations frameworks
Critical Competencies or Capabilities:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to develop, monitor and report against supplier contracts and other third party agreements
Strong knowledge and analytical skills in assessing the financial implications of contract changes
Exposure to commercial sourcing and contract life cycle and negotiations with suppliers
Strong ability to evaluate risks and opportunities, and maximize commercial value while minimizing financial exposure relating to end to end services provided
Experience in tracking and reporting against multiple, complex contracts with suppliers
Ability to interpret complex information, provide informed analysis and educate stakeholders on contractual and financial implications to support decision making
Knowledge/Experience:
Experience around reporting and tracking complex supplier contracts (eg, infrastructure, software, Servers, mainframes, outsourced data centers, and help desk operations); in-depth technical understanding of IT and data center operations will be a valuable asset
Understanding of sourcing and service management objectives, principles and practices with a focus on metric-based supplier governance and decision frameworks predicated on statistically representative data