Contract Manager

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

13d•$5,425 - $8,886•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Functional Title: Contract Manager Job Title: Contract Specialist V Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: BH-MH Contract Mgmt Posting Number: 17230 Closing Date: 07/16/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $8,886.16 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Telework: Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 10% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST Other Locations: MOS Codes: 3006,3044,8640,310X,36A,36B,51C,60C0,62S0,63G0,63S0,64PX,651X,6C0X1,751X,FIN10,F&S,LS,LSS,SEI16,SK Brief Job Description: The Contract Specialist V provides senior-level expertise on a dynamic team within the Health and Human Services Commission, Behavioral Health Contracts Management Unit. This position performs highly complex (senior-level) grant and contract management work, managing Behavioral Health contracts. Work involves coordinating, developing, negotiating, monitoring, and evaluating a broad range of contracts, including contract monitoring, ensuring fiscal accountability, and taking necessary contract action. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment regarding daily contract management decisions, and is responsible for managing complex, high-value contracts that support critical agency operations. In this role, you’ll collaborate across divisions, work closely with vendors and oversight partners, and help ensure contracts deliver value, accountability, and results for the organization.

Requirements

State of Texas procurement and contract management law, rules, policies, and best practices, including the Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide
Contract management, monitoring, and reporting practices for complex services contracts
Cost and price analysis methodologies
Federal procurement standards where applicable to HHS System contracts
HHS System procurement processes including SCOR, CAPPS, GMS, and PCS workflows
Managing complex services contracts post-award through the full contract lifecycle
Conducting contract monitoring activities, including identifying and addressing performance deficiencies
Reviewing and validating invoices and deliverables against contract terms; preparing formal monitoring reports, performance reports, and contract documentation
Negotiating contract amendments, change orders, and corrective actions with vendors
Use of Microsoft Office, SharePoint, SCOR, CAPPS, and other contract management systems
Written and oral communication with vendors, internal stakeholders, and oversight agencies
Independently manage a complex contract portfolio post-award; apply sound judgment to contract decisions with significant financial or operational impact
Build and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, internal partners, and oversight functions
Adapt to shifting priorities, including fiscal year-end, biennium transitions, and emerging vendor or stakeholder issues
Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with leadership, vendors, and internal and external stakeholders
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, or a related field. Experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis
Two (2) years of full-time professional experience in contract management, contract administration, procurement, or contract monitoring
Experience independently managing complex, high-dollar, or high-risk services contracts post-award through the full contract lifecycle
Experience conducting contract monitoring activities, including preparation of formal monitoring reports and identification of corrective actions

Nice To Haves

Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) certification
Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) certification
Experience with State of Texas procurement systems including SCOR, CAPPS, and PCS workflows
Experience managing contracts in a Texas state agency or HHS System environment
Experience supporting legislative inquiries, audit responses, public information requests, or Sunset review activities

Responsibilities

Consults and communicates, individually and collectively, with contractors, community stakeholders, state and local agencies involved with the service delivery system to identify needs, resolve problems, and monitor and discuss effectiveness of programs and services. Serves as the vital link (conduit of communications) between HHSC and contractors. Negotiates, evaluates and accepts for approval various types of contracts (15%)
Facilitates contract and amendments development within established protocols and oversees transfer of funds between services. (10%)
Reviews and evaluates contract budgets, expenditures, and authorizes contract disbursements. Documents work and produces progress and summary reports that provide current and historical data in multiple areas related to assigned contracts. (10%)
Oversees contract reviews to determine compliance with applicable statues, departmental rules, and contractual requirements. Prepares administrative reports for executive management regarding contract actions. (5%)
Provides technical assistance or consults with contractors on contract issues. Prepares and distributes routine and adhoc reports/responses/feedback concerning performance measures. Provides oversight of resolution and follow-up of all fiscal management and programmatic findings. Negotiates corrective action in collaboration with HHSC components and monitors compliance with recommendations. (10%)
Oversees and administers contract enforcement actions due to breach of contract, which includes, but is not limited to, performance recoupment, imposing liquidated damages, withholding partial or full payments, and contract suspension or termination. (5%)
Oversees the analysis of operations, problem resolution, and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations. Reviews contractors’ data from multiple data systems, determine trends, and makes recommendations for improvements and/or plans of correction to resolve operational and compliance problems. May direct assigned contractors to collect certain data or information. Monitors plans of correction to ensure improvements are sustained. (10%)
Facilitates contract termination and closeout activities. (5%)
Participates on committees regarding assigned contracts/program area, new departmental statewide initiatives, and redesign of contract related processes requiring the development and implementation of effective techniques for evaluating performance and compliance. (5%)
Coordinates and/or prepares responses to issues, inquiries and correspondence concerning contractor functions and activities. Meets with contractors and representatives of governmental agencies to answer contract questions. (10%)
Collaborates with colleagues to identify and resolve issues. Communicates plans and plan changes to contractors individually and collectively. Collects information and prepares legislative and/or management responses as directed by leadership. (10%)
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned includes but is not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. (5%)