At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

The Manager of Vendor Contracts will play a pivotal role in overseeing a portfolio of existing as well as future key strategic third-party vendors that provide goods and services throughout the MBTA. The Manager of Vendor Contracts will collaborate across MBTA supporting the organization as vendor needs arise and help manage vendor performance across the full portfolio of projects and have the full ownership of vendor contract / performance lifecycle. The Manager of Vendor Contracts must be able to influence without authority, strategically minded and execution focused. The Manager of Vendor Contracts is responsible for contract and relationship management, financial and quantitative analysis of vendor performance, and ensuring continued alignment between the selected vendor and the MBTA's departments. The Manager of Vendor Contracts will serve as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of third-party vendors.

• Manages a portfolio of third-party service contracts by enforcing the terms of the contracts, ensuring excellent business processes, and working collaboratively with the vendors and internal stakeholders to identify and execute on opportunities for service improvement and cost savings.
• Monitor vendor spending patterns, oversee vendor performance management processes to ensure realization of contracted scope.
• Maintain a process of continuous review, feedback and action in order to spot areas of opportunity.
• Periodic evaluation of current contracts to ensure key deliverables are achieved and contract life-cycle milestones are met.
• Serve as a Project Lead for cross-functional projects that affect a current or future vendor? develop project plans, communication materials and deliverables in support of project.
• Working with stakeholders (i.e., end-users, departments, procurement, etc.) to set SLAs and identify the critical data needed to effectively manage vendor performance.
• Manage non-compliance KPI/SLA and contract issues to ensure contracts terms are met.
• Issue notifications of non-compliance and default of contract terms.
• Ensure monthly or quarterly business reviews are held between MBTA and Vendor.
• Oversee consistent KPI/SLA reporting format is established where applicable across all contracts.
• Build strong partnerships with the functional teams to support their vendor needs, coaching and advising on competitive bids, negotiation of terms and conditions, and managing vendors.
• Manage processes associated with supplier due diligence, ongoing audits, risk assessments and continuous vendor monitoring for loss mitigation.
• Support key stakeholders throughout the RFI and RFP processes, including bid comparison, analysis, negotiation, selection as well as the renewal of contracts.
• Ensure cost savings and reduction in vendor spend are achieved without placing risk on service quality and operational timelines.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to executive leadership, highlighting vendor spending, performance, and opportunities and initiatives to optimize use of vendors.
• Drive Performance Monitoring and the closure of service gaps in the performance of the third party.
• Interpret, communicate, and implement company policies and procedures, ensure compliance with existing policies, and confidentiality of customer and company information.
• Meet with the managed vendors on a regular basis to review progress, discuss problems, service level performance and consider necessary changes, monitor contract activity on a routine basis to identify problem areas and confirm that acceptable performance standards are being met, track financial stability and ensure that goods and services conform to the contract requirements, establish a clear scope of authority and reporting; and establish a procedure and timeline for making contract decisions and modifications.
• Work with Finance and Accounting as it relates to supplier budget and invoice routing.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or coworker in a professional and courteous manner.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees, contractors, and consultants.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Business, Finance, or related field.
• Five (5) years managing external service providers and/or contract management. 
• One (1) year of supervisory, managerial, and/or lead project experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint, and Tableau.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively across business levels and experience at leading meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to organize data and exercise effective problem-solving skills.
• Experience building strong relationships with internal business partners and working with multiple business partners in a collaborative and team-oriented manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work across the organization to develop consensus and communicate decisions.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a Business, Finance, or related field may substitute for two (2) years of general experience. 
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in Business, Finance, or related field may substitute for one year of work experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Masters, Business Administration.
• Legal experience.
• Seven to Ten (7 to 10) years of experience managing external service providers and/or contract management.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required)
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection)
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
3. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
4. Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
5. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
6. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
7. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
8. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
9. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
10. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.