IT Contract Specialist III - job 2 of 2

As an IT Contract Specialist III at CommonSpirit Health, your primary responsibilities will include collaborating with the contracting team, leading negotiations with vendors, managing a diverse portfolio of IT contracts, and ensuring compliance with laws and organizational policies. You'll also be tasked with identifying cost-saving opportunities and fostering relationships with internal stakeholders to optimize contract strategies.

To become an IT Contract Specialist III at CommonSpirit Health, you will need a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as Information Management or Business Administration, along with significant experience in contracting or strategic sourcing, particularly in Information Technology. A minimum of six years of experience in contracting and two years in health care is also required, alongside strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.

The IT Contract Specialist III plays a critical role in cost reduction by identifying opportunities for savings and standardization within vendor contracts. By negotiating effectively and collaborating with internal finance teams, you will help implement strategies that lead to more efficient contract utilization and reduced risks, directly benefiting the financial health of CommonSpirit Health.

Success as an IT Contract Specialist III at CommonSpirit Health requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, along with excellent written and verbal communication capabilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio, is essential for drafting documentation and managing contracts efficiently in a complex team environment.

The work environment for an IT Contract Specialist III at CommonSpirit Health is primarily remote, allowing for flexibility as you collaborate with various teams. You will interact with multiple stakeholders, including IT and Finance leaders, in a dynamic and matrixed organization focused on delivering compassionate health care. This role emphasizes teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of your past negotiations, highlighting successful outcomes. Focus on your approach to understanding vendor needs, your ability to advocate for your organization's interests, and any methodologies you used that led to favorable terms.

Discuss your familiarity with regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. Explain the processes you use, such as regular audits and reviews, to ensure that all contracts comply with applicable laws, as well as how you stay updated on changes in the regulatory framework.

Describe analytical techniques you use to review existing contracts and spending patterns. Emphasize collaboration with cross-functional teams to assess vendor performance and leverage volume discounts or renegotiate terms to achieve cost savings.

Share your conflict resolution strategies, such as maintaining open communication, actively listening to the vendor’s perspective, and finding common ground. Provide examples of how you successfully resolved disputes in past negotiations without compromising your organization’s goals.

Explain the importance of clear and concise technical writing when drafting contracts, amendments, and other documentation. Highlight how effective writing can prevent misunderstandings and ensure all parties are aligned with the contractual terms.

Focus on a specific project involving multiple contracts or stakeholders. Share details about your project management approach, including how you prioritized tasks, managed resources, and communicated with your team to achieve the project goals.

Discuss your strategies for organization, such as using digital tools or spreadsheets to track contract timelines, deadlines, and compliance tasks. Mention specific software you rely on, like Microsoft Project, to streamline the management process.

Share an instance where you actively engaged with stakeholders to understand their needs and concerns. Emphasize your relationship-building approach, such as regular check-ins, collaborative meetings, and how it has positively impacted contract negotiations.

Discuss methods for evaluating contracts post-implementation to identify areas for improvement. Mention how you incorporate feedback from stakeholders and stay informed about industry best practices in contract management.

Share your passion for health care and how you align with CommonSpirit Health’s mission of compassion. Discuss how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for this role while expressing enthusiasm for contributing to the organization’s goals.