Manager, IT Strategic Sourcing

The Manager, ITS Strategic Sourcing oversees the entire lifecycle of technology contracts across the university and is a subject matter expert for IT contracts, providing specialized advice to senior administrators. This role ensures that all technology assets, including those outside the ITS department, are procured through rigorous RFI/RFP processes, negotiated for maximum fiscal responsibility, and remain compliant with institutional terms and conditions. The incumbent serves as a strategic advisor to ITS leadership and university faculties to optimize software licensing, hardware procurement, and service agreements. 

Reporting directly to the AVP Information Technology Services & Chief Information Officer, this is a highly specialized position that demands a unique blend of expertise. Successful execution requires strong foundational knowledge in modern IT systems, with a critical emphasis on data security, compliance, and architectural implications. Unlike a traditional procurement or vendor management role, the Manager, ITS Strategic Sourcing must possess sophisticated technical fluency to effectively vet potential solutions, assess vendor risk (especially concerning institutional data and privacy), and negotiate contract terms that accurately reflect complex technical requirements and data governance policies. A solid understanding of legal terminology and contract law is essential to bridge the gap between technical need and legal obligation, ensuring all agreements mitigate risk and maximize institutional value.

• Provide high-level guidance and oversight for the team's core portfolios, ensuring the successful execution of the multi-million dollar ITS departmental budget (managed by the Business Coordinator), the institutional hardware Annual Refresh Program (managed by the Senior SLAMA), and software/hardware licensing compliance (supported by the SLAMA team)
• Empower employee strengths and foster continuous professional development through active performance management and sharing in the celebration of team achievements
• Ensure that the team's daily operations, asset management workflows, and financial tracking processes consistently align with the overarching strategic goals of Information Technology Services and the University
• Lead the IT contract lifecycle by coordinating RFIs and RFPs
• Review contract legal terms to ensure institutional protection and compliance.
• Analyse "spend data" to identify opportunities for contract consolidation across the university to maximise institutional purchasing power.
• Execute complex negotiations with technology vendors for software and hardware.
• Secure favourable pricing and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Acts as the primary liaison between technical teams, legal counsel, and vendors to resolve "stalled" negotiations. 
• Collaborate with other departments and faculties to provide guidance on technology assets.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility for decentralised IT spend across the university.
• Support ITS leaders in contractor selection.
• Monitor vendor performance to ensure major agreements meet university standards.
• Ensure satisfactory completion of all security assessments prior to vendor engagement.
• Responsible for investigating and remedying contract breaches or service deficiencies.
• Serve as the primary liaison with Legal and Privacy teams.
• Ensure all contract terms and data handling comply with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.

• A minimum three or four year Bachelor’s Degree is preferred, ideally in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, or Law/Contract Management.
  • Certifications in procurement (SCMP, CPPB), project management (PMP), or IT Service Management (ITIL) are highly desirable.
• 8 to 10 years of progressive experience, with at least 3 years in a formal leadership or supervisory role
  • Higher Education experience will be considered an asset.
• Experience managing the IT contract lifecycle (RFI/RFP, negotiations, renewals) and overseeing hardware/software asset management across multiple business units.
• Demonstrated experience in analyzing complex spend data to identify opportunities for cost savings and contract consolidation, and an understanding of multi-year budget management and fiscal accountability.
• Advanced negotiation skills focused on complex IT agreements, including securing favorable Service Level Agreements (SLAs), indemnity clauses, and liability caps, to mitigate institutional risk.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage high-pressure situations while maintaining a focus on continuous improvement and team morale.
• Deep understanding of how data privacy and protection regulations apply specifically to the procurement and ongoing management of technology contracts in a higher education environment.
• Proven ability to conduct in-depth vendor risk assessments, particularly concerning data security, privacy controls, and compliance with institutional data governance policies.
• Must demonstrate the MRU Leadership Competencies: having integrity, being inclusive, empowering others, fostering growth, engaging and supporting others, and being innovative.

Salary:                   $98,502 - $135,930 per annum

Closing date:        April 21, 2026

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 9999, CV.pdf).