Summary:

• The Tennessee Department of Transportation is seeking an IT Contracts Specialist for the Business Services Division to work on a potentially long-term contract basis. This position plays a key role in developing and maintaining legal documents for information technology (IT) agreements. The successful candidate is skilled in interviewing team members, vendors, and business associates to confirm technical specifications for IT procurements, and can concisely write this information into legal documents such as contracts, amendments, and statements of work. The IT Contracts Specialist will deliver contract documents on schedule, and ensure consistency and efficiency in legal and technical writing through adherence to State methodology, policies, procedures, and standards. Experience writing complex government or corporate multi-million-dollar multi-year IT contracts is required. Experience writing complex contractor-hosted SaaS contracts is required. This is primarily a remote work position with an anticipated work schedule of Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, but occasional field work or in-office training may be required. Compensation for travel/lodging to attend required training or field work is not provided. Local candidates within driving distance of Nashville, Tennessee are preferred.

• Contract is renewable at the beginning of the State's fiscal year.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities

• With limited supervision, review and/or draft accurate contract documents and ancillary documents as required for information technology projects. Effective legal and technical writing.

• Build and manage productive business relationships. Skillfully facilitate online group meetings with cross-functional teams to gather and document technical requirements for IT contracts.

• Contract writing and full lifecycle contract administration. Maintain organized project files.

• Write competitive solicitations to select vendors for complex IT projects using State template documents and various solicitation methods such as Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation to Bid (ITB), and Request for Information (RFI).

• Peer review, contract analysis, and audit of contract wording to ensure compliance of all parties with regulatory and legal requirements. Effectively communicate findings. Report project status in written logs and staff meetings.

• Act as a liaison between internal customers, the State chain-of-command, vendors, and suppliers in support of contract activities. Work effectively with all levels of State staff from clerical to executive management.

• Create alternative wording in contract language to simultaneously meet internal customer and vendor needs, as well as comply with State and Federal laws and regulations as required.

• Research IT industry and market developments, analyze research data, and incorporate findings into written technical contract specifications.

• Effective written communication using electronic communication and conferencing tools.

• Performs other duties as required

• Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate is preferred.

• Four years of increasingly complex and responsible experience relating to contract creation, legal, and technical writing.

• Any equivalent combination of related education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

Duties:
- Review and analyze contract terms and conditions
- Negotiate contract terms with vendors and clients
- Draft, prepare, and revise contracts using tools like DocuSign
- Conduct research on legal issues related to contracts
- Assist in proposal writing and submission processes
- Implement change management procedures when necessary
- Manage contractor relationships and performance
- Ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
- Handle intellectual property law matters related to contracts

Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Management or related field
- Proven experience working as a Contract Specialist or in a similar role
- Strong knowledge of vendor management and contractor management
- Familiarity with procurement processes and procedures
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Knowledge of buy-side contracts

Nice-to-have Skills:
- Experience with Proposal Writing
- Understanding of Change Management principles

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40.00 - $45.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Chattanooga, TN 37402: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person