Russ Schaner

Division Director @The Pennsylvania Department Of Human Services

Direct cross-functional efforts on multimillion-dollar IT contracts and procurements that support statewide developmental disability services- Act as senior liaison between program offices, legal, procurement (BPCM), and vendors to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and drive timely contract execution- Manage full contract lifecycle—RFPs, POs, renewals, amendments—ensuring alignment with fiscal timelines and agency standards- Lead vendor oversight and resolve escalated issues involving scope, performance, funding, and deliverables across mission-critical contracts- Created and maintain a centralized budget tracking system that improves visibility into spend, obligations, and available balances across all portfolios- Provide high-level briefings, status updates, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership on procurement activity and contract health- Lead recruitment efforts, including panel interviews, selection, and onboarding for essential IT and contract support roles- Standardized internal review and submission processes, improving turnaround times and reducing rework across the division.