Director, Vendor Management

About Nscale

Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI start-ups and large enterprise customers. Nscale enables AI-focused companies to achieve superior results by reducing the complexity of AI development. Our GPU cloud bolsters technical capabilities and directly supports strategic business outcomes, including cost management, rapid innovation, and environmental responsibility.

About the Role

We're looking for a Director, Vendor Management to own Nscale's entire post-RFS operational vendor ecosystem — every operational service vendor and platform vendor (Jira, ServiceNow, Sunbird DCIM, Linear/Procore, Salesforce) that keeps the business running. You'll own the full commercial relationship for every vendor in scope: strategy, contracts, negotiations, SLA governance, and QBRs. You'll partner closely with our Director, Finance & Business Intelligence to make sure platform performance and reporting needs stay aligned.

What You'll be Doing

• Own end-to-end vendor strategy for all post-RFS operational service vendors, platform vendors, and facilities management/preventative maintenance contracts that power Nscale's business operations.
• Develop and maintain a tiered vendor classification system aligned to criticality, spend, and vendor type.
• Establish SLAs, KPIs, and escalation protocols across all operational service and platform vendors.
• Own monthly and quarterly vendor performance reviews, holding every service and platform partner accountable to commitments.
• Resolve vendor performance failures and escalate contractual breaches with recommended remedies.
• Own the strategic relationship with Salute, including contract oversight, performance reviews, and escalation management.
• Own all commercial relationships, contract negotiations, renewals, and QBRs for platform vendors (Jira, ServiceNow, Sunbird DCIM, Linear/Procore, Salesforce) and Facilities Management/Preventative Maintenance vendors — you're the primary commercial point of contact for every platform and service agreement.
• Partner with Director, Finance & Business Intelligence to ensure contracts and SLAs reflect the data access, integration, and configuration needs Finance BI depends on.
• Work cross-functionally with the construction supply chain organization on post-handover construction vendor needs, providing operational expertise without owning procurement.
• Manage and develop two Senior Managers — Vendor Operations and Vendor Contracts.

About You

• You have 10+ years in vendor management, procurement, or operations, ideally in infrastructure, datacenter, or tech.
• You've managed diverse vendor portfolios spanning both operational services and software/platform vendors.
• You bring strong contract negotiation skills and legal-commercial fluency, and work effectively with Legal and Finance.
• You have a track record of managing and developing a team across multiple vendor categories.
• You're familiar with procurement and vendor management systems, and comfortable with SaaS and platform vendor commercial structures.
• You have a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related field.

Why this role matters

• Salute is engaged and active, and SLA governance needs a dedicated owner before performance issues accumulate.
• Our platform vendor agreements (Jira, ServiceNow, Sunbird DCIM, Linear/Procore, Salesforce) require active commercial governance that our Sr. Director can no longer absorb alongside process leadership.
• Contract renewals, renegotiations, and compliance tracking across a multi-vendor portfolio need full-time, Director-level ownership — and the two Senior Manager roles that will sit under this position can't be effectively led without a Director in seat first.

What We Can Offer You

• A highly competitive package (base + equity) with reviews every 12 months.
• A collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment where your contributions spark real impact.
• A dynamic progression plan tailored to your ambitions.
• Human-First Flexibility: we treat you as humans first.
• An equal opportunities statement.
• A competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation.