Principal IT Vendor Manager
Blue Cross NC is seeking a Principal IT Vendor Manager to manage strong, ongoing relationships between assigned IT vendors and internal stakeholders. This role ensures vendors meet contractual obligations and service level agreements while serving as the primary point of contact for vendor-related matters.
Responsibilities
- Manage the overall vendor relationship and governance for complex or high-profile/critical IT suppliers within a dedicated portfolio.
- Serve as an escalation point for vendor-related issues.
- Establish and monitor vendor oversight plans, in alignment with contractual obligations and other defined criteria, to realize value and minimize vendor-related risk to prevent operational and organizational disruption.
- Facilitate formal business reviews, in accordance with vendor guidelines, with assigned vendors to discuss customer feedback, compliance, performance, service level agreements, other contractual expectations, relationship health, and corrective action plans (when necessary).
- Establish and maintain influential relationships with Executive Sponsors, Business/Service Owners, and Vendor Service Delivery Managers for assigned vendors for ongoing management and oversight of the dedicated vendor portfolio.
- Ensure ongoing vendor adherence to standard procedures and contracted deliverables and obligations; including change management, business continuity, liabilities, financial health, data access, and security.
- Partner with business leads to evaluate and assess current vendors relative to expectations, changing capabilities, competitiveness, and organizational goals, and communicate with vendors to improve or enhance capabilities.
- Collaborate with Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, and business units to influence RFPs, vendor contract negotiations, SLAs, results, and compliance to align business strategy.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or advanced degree (where required).
- 8+ years of experience in a related field.
- In lieu of degree, 10+ years of experience in a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in IT and IT governance.
- Experience managing Technology vendors, including services, hardware, and software.
- Expertise in developing collaborative stakeholder relationships.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage along with numerous health and wellness programs.
- Parental leave and support plus adoption and surrogacy assistance.
- Career development programs and tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- 401k match including an annual company contribution.
- Work-life balance, flexibility, and the autonomy to do great work.
Pay
$107,901.00 - $172,642.00 annual base salary. Compensation decisions are driven by factors including experience and training, specialized skill sets, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Base salary is part of a robust Total Rewards package that includes an annual incentive bonus, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off (PTO), and competitive health benefits and wellness programs.
Schedule
Hybrid Flex approach: work in the office at least two days a week for collaboration and connection, with a few in-office visits each year for meaningful moments. Remote Flex roles work virtually with occasional in-office visits. Onsite expectations will be discussed during the interview process.
Skills
- Budgeting
- Category Management
- Communication
- Competitor Analysis
- Contract Management
- Contract Negotiations
- Leadership
- Negotiation
- People Management
- Process Improvements
- Relationship Building
- Stakeholder Management
- Strategic Planning
- Strategic Sourcing
- Vendor Contract Negotiations
- Vendor Coordination
- Vendor Management