Director, D&IT Vendor Management (Hybrid)

Role Purpose

The Director, Digital & IT (D&IT) Vendor Management is responsible for the strategic oversight, governance and operational management of strategic vendors, including the Digital & IT Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and their contracts. This leader ensures that external D&IT services align with organizational goals, deliver value, and comply with contractual requirements. The role involves vendor relationship management, contract negotiation, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement of outsourced IT services and key strategic technology partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and scale a best-in-class Vendor Management Office (VMO) to drive value realization, commercial discipline, risk management, and supplier-led innovation.
• Act as a key leader in the digital transformation agenda, evolving vendor management into a strategic partner capability. Drive innovation initiatives (automation, AI, transformation) with measurable business impact.
• Own vendor lifecycle execution and transformation programs to ensure continuity, stability, and optimized service delivery. Establish standardized vendor management policies, processes, tools, and governance forums across the vendor lifecycle.
• Define and implement enterprise vendor governance aligned with technology and business strategy. Oversee external labor strategy, supplier demand planning, and supplier management systems.
• Lead executive-level vendor relationships and governance forums (QBRs, executive briefings, steering committees).
• Drive and lead the framework for supplier performance reviews and develop corrective action strategies as needed. Lead vendor issue escalation, dispute resolution, and recovery plans for underperformance.
• Partner with Global Supply Management, Finance, and Legal on sourcing strategy, contract lifecycle management, cost optimization, renewals, amendments, and commercial governance.
• Define commercial and supplier governance strategy for the use of AI in outsourced services, hardware, and software (including AI licensing models and governing the use of agents).
• Lead vendor evaluation and selection, transitions including onboarding, offboarding, and vendor-to-vendor migrations, and exit planning. Oversee vendor service delivery across all Digital & IT service lines (e.g., infrastructure, application development, and operations).
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to vendor engagements. Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity standards.
• Collaborate with Software Asset Management (SAM) on license optimization, demand management, audit readiness, and software compliance.

Experiences/Education - Required

• 15+ years of experience in vendor management, sourcing, or outsourcing, primarily in IT services and software.
• Proven leadership of global vendor management, partner management, or VMO functions.
• Experience managing large-scale outsourcing providers, systems integrators, and Tier 1 technology vendors.
• Demonstrated success in vendor transitions, transformation programs, and complex supplier governance models.
• Deep expertise in governance, SLAs/KPIs/XLAs, contract lifecycle management, financial oversight, and commercial negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of vendor risk management, compliance, third-party controls, and Software Asset Management.
• Executive presence with ability to influence senior leadership and external partners.
• Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience building strong cross-functional partnerships to align stakeholders, drive strategic initiatives, and deliver results through effective collaboration, communication, and influence across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated people leadership skills through developing high-performing teams, coaching and mentoring talent, fostering accountability, and creating an inclusive environment that supports growth and engagement.