Director, D&IT Vendor Management (Hybrid)

About the Role The Director, Digital & IT (D&IT) Vendor Management leads 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. What You'll Do

• 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. What We're Looking For
• Proven ability to establish and lead a Vendor Management Office (VMO) and executive governance forums.
• Strong experience in vendor management for IT services, outsourcing, and MSPs including contract negotiation and performance management.
• Demonstrated collaboration with Global Supply Management, Finance, and Legal on sourcing strategy, contract lifecycle management, and cost optimization.
• Knowledge of AI licensing models and governance for outsourced services and software.
• Experience driving digital transformation and innovation initiatives (automation, AI) with measurable business impact.
• Excellent risk management, cybersecurity compliance, and supplier governance capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management at the executive level.