Contract & Vendor Advisory Specialist
Remote (Vermont) | Contract, Up to 12 Months | Government IT & Technology Modernization
Anticipated Start Date: November 1, 2026
Contract Duration: Up to 1 year, with possible extension
Industry: Government & Public Sector Technology
Position Overview
Together We Talent has partnered with a state government agency seeking an experienced Contract & Vendor Advisory Specialist to support a large-scale technology modernization initiative.
This senior-level consulting opportunity focuses on IT contract development, government procurement, vendor negotiations, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), risk management, and vendor performance oversight.
The ideal candidate brings extensive experience managing complex IT vendor relationships, particularly within state or local government environments, and can ensure contracts, performance measures, and vendor deliverables align with government requirements and program objectives.
This is a fully remote contract opportunity supporting a Vermont-based government modernization program.
Key Responsibilities
IT Contract Development & Procurement
Develop, review, and refine IT vendor contracts to align with government procurement standards and program objectives.
Advise on contract structure, scope of work, deliverables, milestones, and performance expectations.
Lead contract and SLA negotiations with technology vendors through execution.
Coordinate contract amendments, renewals, and vendor onboarding and offboarding activities.
Collaborate with procurement, legal, program leadership, and agency stakeholders.
Vendor Management & Performance Oversight
Develop and maintain vendor performance management frameworks.
Establish measurable SLAs, KPIs, and vendor accountability standards.
Monitor vendor performance against contractual commitments and project objectives.
Support corrective and preventive action planning when vendor performance falls below expectations.
Develop performance reports to support resource allocation, cost management, and operational decisions.
Contract Risk & Compliance
Identify and evaluate contractual, operational, financial, and vendor-related risks.
Ensure contracts and vendor activities align with applicable state and local government procurement requirements.
Support compliance with state and federal funding requirements.
Develop risk mitigation strategies and recommend corrective actions.
Maintain documentation supporting contractual accountability and compliance.
Project Coordination & Executive Reporting
Develop contract plans, schedules, milestones, risk registers, and communication plans.
Coordinate with project teams, procurement specialists, legal advisors, vendors, and government agencies.
Track contract deliverables, vendor commitments, and performance issues.
Prepare monthly status reports outlining progress, risks, issues, and recommendations.
Deliver final executive-level recommendations regarding vendor performance and contract management improvements.
Required Qualifications
8+ years of experience in contract development, procurement, or vendor management, preferably supporting IT programs.
Experience drafting and negotiating IT vendor contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Experience developing KPIs, vendor performance measures, and accountability frameworks.
Experience with state or local government contracting and procurement standards.
Strong knowledge of contract risk identification, mitigation, and compliance requirements.
Familiarity with state and federal funding compliance requirements.
Experience collaborating with procurement, legal, technology teams, vendors, and executive stakeholders.
Strong contract documentation, negotiation, and stakeholder communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple contract activities, priorities, and deadlines independently.
Required Technology Experience
Hands-on experience with:
Microsoft 365
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Teams
Azure DevOps
DocuSign
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting Health and Human Services (HHS) technology programs.
Experience with child welfare system modernization initiatives.
Background supporting large-scale government IT modernization or systems implementation programs.
Experience with vendor corrective action plans and performance improvement processes.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Law, Information Technology, or a related field.
One or more relevant professional certifications:
Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM)
Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)
Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Key Skills
IT Contract Management
Government Procurement
Public Sector Contracting
Vendor Management
Vendor Negotiations
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Contract Development
Contract Compliance
Vendor Performance Management
Risk Assessment & Mitigation
Contract Lifecycle Management
Technology Modernization
Government IT Programs
Health & Human Services Technology
Child Welfare Systems
Microsoft 365
SharePoint
Microsoft Teams
Azure DevOps
DocuSign
Executive Reporting
Stakeholder Management
Contract Details
Work Arrangement: Fully Remote
Program Location: Vermont
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: Up to 12 months, with possible extension
Anticipated Start: November 1, 2026
Experience Level: Senior
Travel: No travel anticipated
Ideal Candidate Profile
The strongest candidate will have significant experience supporting government technology procurement and vendor contract management, preferably within state government.
They should be comfortable independently negotiating complex IT contracts, developing SLAs and KPIs, identifying contractual risks, and holding technology vendors accountable for performance.
Experience with Health and Human Services, child welfare technology systems, or large-scale public sector modernization programs will be especially valuable.
This role is best suited for an experienced Contract Manager, IT Procurement Manager, Vendor Management Consultant, Technology Contracts Specialist, or Public Sector Contract Advisor who has worked directly with government agencies and enterprise technology vendors.