Senior Technology Contracts Manager

Position Description

Are you a customer-focused partnership builder who takes pride in helping internal teams navigate complex procurement challenges to get what they need? Are you looking to collaborate cross-functionally with legal, cybersecurity, and technology teams to help accomplish key objectives?

If so, we are seeking a Senior Technology Contracts Manager in Utility Technology Services (UTS) within Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU). You will manage the full contract life cycle, acting as the key contact and subject matter expert for all contract-related and vendor activities. This includes development of new contracts, contract renewals, and modifications to existing contracts. You will be instrumental in supporting the negotiation of contract terms, conditions, modifications, incentives and remedies, while collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that their requirements are met. You will also manage the execution process - resolving problems, mitigating delays, assisting with audits, mediating disputes and escalating issues to keep our technology initiatives on track.

Responsibilities include:

• Strategic Partnership: Builds strong relationships with managers, subject matter experts, Cybersecurity, Risk Management, Legal, and Procurement to help support enterprise objectives.
• Contract Architecture: Point of contact for Legal for contracting processes. contract development, and maintenance; works directly with Legal ensuring all contracts contain robust legal and organizational protections.
• Cross-Functional Liaison: Acts as liaison between Legal, Purchasing, Risk Management, Cybersecurity, and project lead(s)/sponsor(s) to ensure compliance with the City's procurement policy, processes, and standards.
• Contract Governance: Establishes contract management objectives, procedures, templates and workflow processes for vendor contracts, and deliverable schedules.
• Procurement Advisory: Guides leadership on selecting the optimal contract vehicles and procurement methods for diverse technology needs.
• Risk & Liability Management: Expertly evaluates contract formations with a focus on risk, indemnity, liability, and vendor non-performance.
• Solicitation & Statement of Work Development: Works alongside procurement and management to assist with developing statements of work (SOWs) and understands any current requests for information (RFIs), requests for quotations (RFQs) and requests for proposal (RFPs) that are in the pipeline.
• Market Intelligence: Understands relevant market trends and vendors. Tracks, gathers, and analyzes market and industry data.
• Executive Briefing: Translates complex contract terms into concise summaries, providing stakeholders with clarity on risks, opportunities, and obligations.
• Financial Value Optimization: Utilizes benchmarking and price analysis throughout the contract lifecycle to ensure competitive pricing, price protections (i.e. capping annual price escalations), and maximizing ROI.
• Contract Portfolio Stewardship: Updates and verifies for accuracy all contract storage locations, database administration, share sites, and spreadsheets. Communicate current contract portfolio and expiration reports to business.
• Regulatory Compliance (CIP-013): Understands NERC CIP-013 processes concerning vendor and contract requirements and supports the process to ensure compliance.
• Correspondence: Leads development of draft letters/memos, waivers, proofreading, editing, and finalizing for various contracts.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in public or business administration or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
4 years of progressively responsible analytical and/or program coordination/management work in area related to assignment

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, business law, or closely related field
• Five years' experience negotiating and managing contract life cycles, with an emphasis on technology or IT service agreements
• Experience in managing large complex contracts in one or more IT categories, including hardware, software, service, and communication
• Experience with Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), cloud hosting, and enterprise licensing agreements
• Interpersonal and effective communication skills
• Certified Commercial Contract Manager Certification or in process of acquiring certification
• ITIL experience
• Knowledge of IT concepts and systems

Knowledge & Skills

• Data-Driven Decision Making & Analysis: Synthesize complex, high-volume data from diverse sources to effectively solve problems, evaluate risks, and drive rational decision-making. Develop and deliver clear, concise, and comprehensive written reports leveraging a variety of reporting methods to audiences of varying technical sophistication.
• Commercial & Legal Contract Literacy: Deep understanding of contract anatomy, legal terminology, and standard commercial clauses (e.g., limitation of liability, indemnification, intellectual property rights, and warranties). Ability to interpret complex legal frameworks and apply them practically to technology agreements.
• Procurement & Contract Lifecycle Expertise: Knowledge of end-to-end contract management principles, structured negotiation strategies, along with sourcing processes such as RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
• Information Management & Reporting: Systematically collect, document, and maintain records to ensure critical data is highly organized & actionable for subsequent analysis.
• Technical Knowledge: Utilize enterprise procurement systems such as Ariba and SAP to execute contract management related activities. Utilize Contract Lifecycle Management software to streamline work. Data reporting experience including data mining, analysis, and research. Expert level knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office suite.
• Customer Engagement & Strategic Partnership: Able to build high-trust relationships across internal business units and technical teams to deliver an exceptional customer service experience. Ability to act as a responsive advocate, translating customer needs into complete, value-driven solutions while navigating shifting priorities and resolving conflicts with diplomacy.
• Effective Communication: Capable of translating complex, technical, legal, or financial concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders. Tailor messaging to align cross-functional teams and drive consensus on critical business decisions.
• Organizational Savvy & Professionalism: Deliver timely, high-integrity results while protecting confidentiality and navigating complex organizational dynamics with patience. Use feedback and self-reflection to continuously sharpen effectiveness.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Kye Merritt, if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn !

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Annual Salary: $98,280.00 - $138,320.00

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power is an almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally-owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 180,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, you'll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
https://www.mytpu.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Application Process

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process. Applicants who have the strongest backgrounds related to the responsibilities of this position may be invited to participate in the interview process, which may include a work problem. Appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 6/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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