IT Vendor Management / Relations

About the role

The IT Vendor Management/Relations role at APS ensures that IT vendors supporting our business are effectively managed and properly contracted with to deliver reliable, high-quality services that keep power flowing to the communities we serve. This role acts as the bridge between internal teams and IT vendors, helping APS get the most value from its technology investments, reduce service disruptions, and support a dependable, modern energy grid.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, trusted relationships with IT vendors while serving as a go-to partner for internal business teams
• Collaborate with stakeholders to negotiate vendor services with business needs and resolve service gaps
• Lead vendor conversations around performance, expectations, and issue resolution
• Partner with Supply Chain to ensure the appropriate legal framework is in place to support technology engagements with contracted vendors
• Navigate complex, multiple stakeholder challenges amid changing priorities to deliver solutions that balance stakeholder expectations and IT budgets.

Requirements

• Experienced in negotiating, contracting, and the management of IT vendor contracts including SaaS, PaaS, or other cloud-based services
• A strategic, relationship-focused professional with strong collaboration and communication skills, able to work across business units and external partners
• Comfortable leading conversations around performance, accountability, and service expectations
• Problem-solving and assertive mindset with the ability to resolve complex issues involving multiple stakeholders around budgeting challenges, performance, and service expectations
• Proven track record in the negotiation and management of application managed services focusing on incident management and cost reduction over time
• Ability to author and negotiate waterfall and agile scopes of work for complex system integration activities from design, build, testing, hypercare and warranty phases of new software implementation projects and programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, information systems administration, or related field
• Plus 8 years' experience managing vendor and supplier relationships in the area of licensing, software (especially vendor relationships involving SaaS, PaaS and other cloud type software services), IT application, development and maintenance services, or related experience
• Prior experience working with and negotiating with suppliers and strategic vendor initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with key suppliers and liaise between vendor and internal organizations to resolve conflicts
• Demonstrated ability to track and negotiate contract requirements including Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
• Ability to lead using informal authority to drive organizational objectives

Skills

• Full knowledge and experience with IT vendor relationship management as a discipline
• Ability to maintain composure in critical negotiations, communicate effectively with both internal and external clients
• Perform advanced business and financial analysis of vendor engagements
• Build strong relationships with key vendors and the internal IT organization to ensure delivery of IT services
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems; improve the effectiveness and efficiency of overall vendor relationships across the IT organization
• Demonstrated ability to lead using informal authority and personal influence to drive organizational objectives

Benefits

• APS offers competitive compensation and benefits packages tailored to each individual’s unique needs and contributions.
• Flexible work arrangements, including the option to work remotely, are available for eligible employees.
• APS provides comprehensive health and wellness programs, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
• APS also offers paid time off, paid holidays, and generous sick leave policies.

Pay

APS provides competitive compensation packages that are commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

This role is typically full-time and requires regular attendance at APS facilities as needed.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.