Contract and Vendor Management Specialist (IT)

Experience

• Foundational experience in supporting IT contracts, vendor coordination, or customer account management through internships, academic projects, or early professional roles.
• Exposure to IT environments—whether through coursework, hands‑on projects, or entry‑level work—resulting in a basic understanding of technology, systems, and how they support business operations.
• Ability to learn and understand complex business and technology topics, demonstrated through academic achievements, project work, or involvement in cross‑functional initiatives.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, preferably in an analytical or business‑related field.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strong interpersonal, relationship‑building, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Experience or coursework related to data analysis, including interpreting datasets, identifying trends, and presenting insights to support decision‑making.
• Exposure to data management concepts, such as data quality, data governance, or maintaining structured information in spreadsheets, databases, or business systems.
• Ability to support the development of technology roadmaps by gathering requirements, analyzing data, and coordinating with cross‑functional IT teams.
• Basic understanding of IT security principles, risk identification, and mitigation strategies (coursework or training acceptable).
• Familiarity with the services or technologies provided by vendors and an interest in learning market trends, competitive landscapes, and vendor performance indicators.
• Understanding of best practices in vendor management, contract processes, and service delivery models (can be gained through training or guided experience).
• Awareness of organizational dynamics, decision‑making processes, and how internal and external stakeholders influence outcomes.
• Foundational dispute‑resolution and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to support issue escalation and contribute to collaborative solutions.
• Training or exposure to team‑building, communication strategies, or collaborative techniques is highly valued.
• Ability to communicate effectively with IT users and business leaders to understand requirements, expectations, and value drivers.
• Awareness of trends in pricing models, performance management, and innovations in IT service delivery.

Key Behaviors and Competencies

• Ability to work collaboratively with vendors and internal teams to support the development of strategic vendor relationships.
• Create and manage incentives or performance measures that guide vendor behavior.
• Skill in bridging communication between IT and business teams, helping translate needs, expectations, and opportunities for improved value.
• Ability to understand and support technical requirements and processes, aligning them with customer needs and organizational goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills for supporting dispute resolution, encouraging positive vendor behaviors, and contributing to a productive working environment.
• Ability to work across organizational boundaries and understand the broader context of decisions, influences, and stakeholder priorities.
• Interest in understanding internal customer and vendor business goals, with the ability to help align both sides toward shared objectives.