IT Vendor Management - Senior/Specialist

Salary : $94,620.00 - $127,248.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-04809
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 11/02/2026
Closing Date: 11/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking an experienced technology vendor management professional to provide advanced technical and organizational leadership for the acquisition, governance, performance, risk, and lifecycle management of vendor-provided technology products and services supporting the agency's highest-priority business initiatives and legislative mandates. Located within the Enterprise Implementation Office, this position will lead strategic technology vendor management initiatives, oversee enterprise technology acquisitions and third-party services, provide guidance on technology procurement and contract management, and coordinate with business and technology teams, vendors, and stakeholders across WSDOT. The position will also lead efforts to modernize and streamline the agency's technology vendor management program, including centralized vendor management processes and tools, contract development, vendor selection and onboarding, performance management, escalations, and compliance with applicable laws and OCIO policies, standards, and guidelines.
What to Expect

The Enterprise Implementation (EI) Office aligns technology and technology resources with customer needs by delivering the agency's highest-priority and time-sensitive technology investments. Within the Technology Services Division (TSD), the Technology Vendor Management Team works collaboratively with technology subject matter experts, business units, contract managers, and external vendors to research, evaluate, procure, track, and manage technology products and services consistent with WSDOT's business strategy, architecture, procurement requirements, and financial policies. The centralized vendor management approach provides enterprise-wide consistency and supports WSDOT and partner agencies by streamlining technology procurement and lifecycle management, ensuring vendor deliverables and third-party services meet requirements, and supporting effective management of technology contracts and vendor relationships.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the IT Vendor Management - Senior/Specialist will:

• Provide strategic, tactical and operational planning for technology vendor management support services.
• Lead technology acquisition planning by evaluating vendor-provided products and services for alignment with agency strategic and tactical technology plans and enterprise requirements.
• Partner with technology owners, managers, staff, and business areas to define and prioritize acquisition requirements.
• Lead technology acquisition planning by evaluating vendor-provided products and services for alignment with agency strategic and tactical technology plans and enterprise requirements.
• Work directly with IT vendors (all levels and multi-discipline leads) to negotiate contracts and conduct day to day business for Enterprise IT business and contracting needs.
• Lead discussions w/vendors to resolve issues and handle agency escalations.
• Partner in the evaluation and negotiation of vendor contracts and acquisitions.
• Establish and maintain vendor contracts/acquisitions and assure their efficacy in meeting customer needs.
• Collaborate with business, technical, and procurement stakeholders to identify and evaluate potential vendors based on business needs, technical requirements, and service expectations.
• Establish methods and processes to develop and maintain efficient vendor engagement processes that support effective communication, productive relationships, and shared expectations
• Analyze inherent technology vendor risk and use due diligence to manage vendors.
• Develop and maintain vendor evaluation, management and oversight guidelines, standards, and support procedures per agency and state policies and regulations.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

• IT Vendor Management: Demonstrated experience managing IT vendor relationships, vendor-delivered services, and technology integration across multiple IT disciplines. Knowledge and understanding of vendor risks to an organization and the ability to recognize, monitor, manage, and mitigate those risks.
• Technology Products and Services: Demonstrated experience evaluating vendor-provided technology products and services and conduct technical reviews with subject matter experts to support vendor selection, acquisition, and alignment with business and technical requirements.
• Technology Procurement: Demonstrated experience developing, evaluating, or responding to State requests for proposals, qualifications, quotes, or other procurement solicitations (RFXs).
• IT Contracts and Work Orders: Demonstrated ability to develop and administer IT professional services, work orders and contracts, including defining and establishing technical requirements, deliverables, performance expectations, and vendor responsibilities.
• Technology Requirements and Integration: Demonstrated experience analyzing complex technology requirements, evaluating vendor solutions, resolving system integration issues, and coordinating technical and operational solutions and remediation plans with vendors, contracting office, technical teams, and business stakeholders.
• Microsoft Operating Systems: Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft operating systems and their integration within enterprise technology environments. Extensive use of Microsoft productivity applications including SharePoint, Teams and ADO.
• Technology Asset Lifecycle Management: Demonstrated ability to follow technology asset procurement and lifecycle management processes for Enterprise technology acquisitions.
• Contract Management Certification: Completion of Contract Management 401 - Advanced Contract Management - High Risk Course, successful completion of the required course assessment within three (3) months of appointment.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate/have:

• Technology and Business Disciplines: Advanced knowledge and understanding spanning multiple technology and business disciplines, including technology systems, applications, infrastructure, and vendor technology lifecycles.
• Technology Vendor Solutions: Advanced knowledge and experience managing, implementing, deploying, maintaining and operating business systems, applications, and technology vendor solutions.
• Process and Policy Alignment: Experience defining and establishing strategic, enterprise level processes and procedures that benefit the organization by aligning multiple initiatives, resources, and priorities at the enterprise level.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicableInformation on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in of the Washington Administrative Code.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the "Work Experience" portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may be entered in the "References" section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at . Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-04809 in the subject line.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Depart