Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The Associate Director, IT Strategic Sourcing serves as a subject matter expert for IT vendor strategy, sourcing, and contract governance. This role provides strategic and operational support for IT supplier relationships, software and technology services sourcing, and complex contract negotiations, while partnering closely with distributed IT units, schools, and departments to align vendor decisions with institutional priorities, risk standards, and financial stewardship expectations.
The position supports enterprise wide IT vendor governance efforts, develops sourcing strategies, negotiates contracts, and ensures compliance with University policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Job Description

Strategic IT Vendor Support

• Serve as a central authority and escalation point for IT vendor sourcing, supplier strategy, and contract negotiations across the University.

• Develop and maintain an enterprise IT vendor management framework that supports a decentralized operating model while enabling consistency, transparency, and risk mitigation.

• Provide advisory support to IT executives, departmental IT leaders, and business partners on vendor selection, sourcing strategies, and total cost of ownership considerations.

IT Sourcing & Contracting

• Lead and oversee competitive sourcing activities for IT software, hardware, cloud services, professional services, and managed services.

• Develop, negotiate, and manage complex IT contracts, including master agreements, software license agreements, statements of work, and renewals.

• Partner with Legal, Information Security, Privacy, Risk, and Compliance stakeholders to address data protection, security, and regulatory requirements within IT agreements.

Vendor Relationship Management

• Help establish and manage strategic supplier relationships, including performance reviews, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Help monitor key vendor performance, service levels, financial commitments, and contractual compliance.

• Identify opportunities for vendor consolidation, standardization, and cost optimization while balancing departmental autonomy.

Governance, Policy & Compliance

• Ensure IT vendor engagements adhere to University procurement policies, contracting standards, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

• Support development and enforcement of ITâ‘specific sourcing, contracting, and vendor governance policies.

• Provide guidance and training to departmental stakeholders on optimizing IT purchasing and vendor engagement practices.

Crossâ‘Functional Collaboration & Enablement

• Act as a key liaison between Supply Chain, central IT, distributed IT units, Finance, Legal, and Information Security.

• Partner with stakeholders to balance institutional risk management with academic and operational needs.

• Support dataâ‘driven decisionâ‘making through vendor spend analysis, contract insights, and market intelligence.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelorâ™s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (5 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelorâ™s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Finance, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressive experience in IT sourcing, vendor management, procurement, or contract management in a complex enterprise, higher education, or corporate environment; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been acquired.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MBA, JD or related field).
• Experience supporting IT sourcing in a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex IT and technology services contracts.
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management tools and enterprise procurement systems.
• Deep understanding of IT vendor markets, software licensing models, and technology services sourcing.
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and stakeholderâ‘engagement skills.
• Ability to influence without authority in a decentralized governance structure.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problemâ‘solving capabilities.
• Strong judgment related to risk management, compliance, and financial stewardship.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

Purchasing, Materials Management, Accounting, Or Other Pertinent Areas (5 Years)

Skills:

Analytical Thinking, Computer Literacy, Contract Development, Contract Management, Contract Negotiations, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Multitasking, Negotiation, Oral Communications, Self-Organization (Business), Workday Financials, Written Communication

Grade

G15

Salary Range

$84,200.00 - $148,500.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? Weâ™ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the Universityâ™s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

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