Title: Director, Technology Vendor Management
ROLE SUMMARY
We are looking for an accomplished leader to oversee and drive vendor relationships and contract operations related to the organization's technology needs. This individual will ensure that vendor partnerships align with organizational goals and business requirements, collaborating closely with teams across legal, finance, technology, and other stakeholders to deliver effective solutions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage third-party vendor relationships with a focus on understanding dependencies, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment.
- Ensure vendor contracts are aligned with organizational goals and strategic priorities, including decisions related to key investments.
- Oversee and monitor budgets for large-scale vendor agreements to ensure financial compliance.
- Develop and implement policies, standards, and procedures for effective vendor management while maintaining direct engagement with key partners.
- Track vendor performance against service agreements, addressing issues as they arise and ensuring appropriate resolutions are implemented.
- Lead continuous improvements in the vendor management process, prioritizing cost optimization, quality enhancement, and minimizing disruptions.
- Collaborate with operational teams to coordinate and guide the vendor lifecycle, from onboarding and training to monitoring, renegotiations, and offboarding.
- Work closely with legal, security, and other internal stakeholders to support the vendor approval, negotiation, and review process.
- Provide leadership and oversight for team members, including hiring, performance reviews, and team development.
- Partner with senior leaders to align departmental strategies with broader organizational objectives.
- Create and refine organizational practices and procedures with a focus on long-term impact.
- Maintain adherence to ethical and regulatory standards relevant to the role.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience in vendor management.
- 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in vendor management.
- Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks with strict deadlines.
- Familiarity with SLA-based service delivery models and the ability to drive projects to completion while communicating effectively with stakeholders.
- Strong skills in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and relationship management.
- Strategic mindset with experience optimizing vendor operations.
- Process-oriented, with a passion for refining workflows and driving improvement.
- Authorized to work in the United States without restrictions.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants must have the legal right to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.
- This role requires the ability to work from the Chicago office at least two days per week.