Assistant Director, Software and Vendor Management

Assistant Director, Software and Vendor Management

Technology Services - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois is seeking an Assistant Director for Software & Vendor Management to lead strategic software procurement and oversee the University WebStore. This role serves as the University’s primary negotiator with software vendors and resellers, developing cost-effective, compliant agreements that meet institutional needs while ensuring financial sustainability. The Assistant Director will also guide a high-performing team in delivering WebStore operations, customer service, and financial management for campus-wide software distribution. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated success in contract negotiation, vendor management, and financial modeling within a cost-recovery or revenue-based environment. Strong communication, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills are essential, along with a commitment to transparent, customer-focused service delivery. Fully remote work may be possible for this position per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

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Job Summary

Provide strategic leadership in vendor negotiation, contract management, and procurement strategy in IT for the University, ensuring cost-effective, compliant, and sustainable access to software and technology related services. This role serves as the University's lead negotiator and relationship manager with technology vendors and resellers, developing agreements that balance affordability, compliance, and institutional value. In addition, the position oversees the operations of the University WebStore and Software Services team, ensuring that software distribution, customer support, financial management, and application development are aligned with campus needs and delivered as a high-quality, user-focused service.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vendor Relations

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with technology vendors, distributors, and resellers; serve as the University’s primary negotiator for license terms and agreements, including volume, campus-wide, and university-wide contracts.
• Lead development of procurement and negotiation strategies that balance affordability, compliance, and scalability for the institution.
• Identify opportunities to leverage purchasing power through software consortia, shared funding models, or broader campus/university-wide agreements.
• Provide strategic recommendations to Technology Services leadership regarding vendor partnerships, contract renewals, and new product offerings.
• Represent the University in external vendor negotiations, ensuring contracts meet legal, financial, and security standards.
• Serve as a customer advocate in campus IT planning and service design, ensuring that software and services align with institutional needs.

Operational & Financial Management

• Oversee the WebStore’s cost-recovery financial model, including product pricing, revenue monitoring, and cost allocation.
• Manage annual budget planning, monthly financial reviews, and sales trend analysis; recommend adjustments to ensure sustainability.
• Oversee processing of Banner JV feeder files, re-billings, and consortium allocations in coordination with Technology Services business operations.
• Identify and implement process improvements, using data analysis and reporting to support service enhancements and informed decision-making.

Team & Service Management

• Provide leadership to the Software Services staff, including recruitment, training, supervision, performance evaluation, and succession planning.
• Direct priorities for WebStore content and functionality, including product listings, documentation, licensing compliance, and feature development.
• Establish policies and practices that foster a high-performance, customer-focused culture.
• Develop and implement marketing and outreach strategies to promote WebStore offerings, increase adoption, and build awareness across campus.
• Oversee customer support operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and effective communication throughout the customer experience.
• Monitor and evaluate service performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the position.
• Five (5) years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience.
  • NOTE: A Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in software procurement, vendor negotiation, contract management and or related field.
• Experience with cost recovery.
• Supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business management, finance, marketing or IT related field.
• Experience with eCommerce practices and platforms.
Experience negotiating or managing enterprise-wide software agreements

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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of academic and enterprise software licensing and contract models.
• Knowledge of financial modeling within a cost-recovery or revenue-based environment.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Strong commitment to ethical and transparent business practices.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent contracts and renewals in a deadline-driven environment
• Ability to think strategically and apply creativity to problem-solving.
• Ability to interpret and present financial and technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across units and with diverse stakeholders.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5010 - Business/Administrative Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $105,000.00 to $125,000.00. Salary is commensurate with experience. Fully remote work may be possible for this position per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 13, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

To complete the application process:
Step 1) Submit the Staff Vacancy Application using the “Apply for Position” button.
Step 2) Submit the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability forms.
Step 3) Upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact information for three references.

If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Sami Roch at sroch@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1032793
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu