Senior Procurement Officer - Information Technology; IT

Position Overview

The Senior Procurement Officer – Information Technology (IT) leads strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and procurement execution for the University’s IT categories. This role serves as one of two procurement resources for software/SaaS, IT professional services, IT hardware, cloud storage, cybersecurity tools, and related maintenance and support agreements.

The position manages complex, high‑risk technology acquisitions, leads competitive sourcing and supplier evaluations, negotiates detailed licensing and data‑security terms, and ensures contract compliance with university policy, state requirements, and industry best practices. The incumbent works closely with KU Information Technology, Information Security, Office of General Counsel, and campus stakeholders to develop procurement strategies that optimize value, manage institutional risk, and support KU’s digital transformation and academic mission.

This role requires strong analytical skills, comfort with complex contract structures and technical requirements, and the ability to facilitate decisions among all stakeholders with competing priorities. The ideal candidate excels in a fast‑paced environment with shifting timelines, tight deadlines, and rapidly evolving technology needs.

The position is available as a fully remote role. Due to complex state employment laws, KU may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas; specifically, employment is currently not offered to candidates residing in California, Delaware, Idaho, or Minnesota. Eligible candidates from other states are invited to apply.

• Develop and manage strategic sourcing initiatives for IT categories, aligning procurement strategies with institutional goals and technology roadmaps.
• Conduct market research, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership analysis to ensure competitive pricing and high‑value solutions.
• Identify and implement cost‑saving, risk‑reducing, and value‑added procurement strategies in technology categories.
• Lead competitive bidding processes (RFPs, RFQs, renewals, and vendor evaluations) for IT systems, software, and service engagements.

• Negotiate complex IT contracts, including SaaS agreements, licensing terms, warranties, cybersecurity and data‑privacy requirements, and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Draft, negotiate, and manage contracts in alignment with KU policies, state regulations, and data‑security frameworks.
• Collaborate with KU IT, Information Security, Office of General Counsel, Risk Management, and Finance to ensure procurement outcomes support institutional priorities.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to enhance service delivery and optimize long‑term contract performance.
• Manage contract lifecycle activities including renewals, amendments, compliance monitoring, and supplier performance evaluations.
• Analyze IT supplier trends and market developments to support strategic planning and sourcing decisions.

• Serve as a primary procurement liaison for KU IT and technology stakeholders across academic and administrative units.
• Facilitate cross‑functional meetings to align technical, financial, legal, information security, and operational requirements.
• Educate internal stakeholders on procurement best practices, technology contract standards, and strategic sourcing principles.
• Collaborate across departments to reduce procurement silos, improve transparency, and support enterprise‑wide planning and decision‑making.

• Ensure compliance with university procurement policies, state regulations, data‑security standards, and accessibility requirements.
• Improve procurement processes related to technology categories, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and institutional control.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation and support audits, risk assessments, and reporting requirements.
• Provide training and guidance to campus stakeholders on IT procurement, policy interpretation, and contract compliance.

• Occasiona…