Director Vendor Management

About the role

The Director of Vendor Management is a key role in the overall technology and product management process at Stride. This leader oversees strategic technology vendor relationships including those that provide key product functionality and curriculum. Some of the critical vendors include: AWS, Microsoft, Salesforce, Instructure, Powerschool, Snowflake, Engageli.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver Vendor Management as a core capability for the Technology and Product organization
• Deliver critical vendor management functions including Contract review, SLA development, and negotiations where needed
• Establishing a regular cadence of vendor business reviews (quarterly business reviews)
• Establishing vendor scorecards and vendor accountability measures
• Management of critical renewals
• Serve as an escalation point and liaison between the vendor and technology teams for key projects or issues needing operational support
• Partner with Enterprise Architecture and Product Management to manage the lifecycle for critical vendor technologies
• Partner with individuals, teams, throughout Stride to drive value and meaningful results
• Innovate using knowledge and awareness of industry trends to identify new opportunities
• Advocate as a champion of change across various business groups to align with strategic plans
• Strategize with partners to develop future technology roadmaps and explore new opportunities
• Enhance existing and prospective relationships through product, technology and vendor evaluation
• Directly supervises 2 - 5 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) regular employees and/or contractors

Requirements

• BS/BA in technology business management, computer science or relevant field
• 5+ years of experience in Vendor Management
• 10+ years of experience in an operational, management, or delivery roles
• 5+ years of experience in Vendor Management
• 5+ years of upper management experience and leadership skills

Qualifications

• Outstanding knowledge of modern tech stack of cloud applications
• Extensive firsthand experience with design, development, and implementation of IT systems
• Demonstrated knowledge of budgeting, financial planning, and business operations
• Analytical mind and great critical thinking skills
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities and history of success collaborating with executives across an organization
• Strong leadership and team building skills
• Direct experience driving continuous improvements in process and operational efficiencies through designing and driving standards across cross functional teams
• Work toward results with a passion for technology and continuous delivery
• Able to quickly drill down to solve problems and take ownership of the resolution
• Strategic thinker
• Ability to partner cross functionally to drive complex strategic projects
• Excellent management skills with the ability to work to deadlines and successfully lead multiple initiatives
• Must have Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio) skills
• Experience with Zip and NetSuite preferred
• Able to travel 10% of the time

Skills

• Knowledge of modern tech stack of cloud applications
• Experience with design, development, and implementation of IT systems
• Financial planning and budgeting skills
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership and team building skills
• Strategic thinking and innovation
• Collaboration and partnership skills
• Project management and process improvement skills
• Travel and remote work capabilities

Benefits

Stride, Inc. offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

Pay

$154,533.00 and $206,044.00

Schedule

Must be available during East Coast work hours (8am-5pm) in addition to after hours as needed.