IT Vendor Relationship Manager (VRM) (455806) POST NUMBER: 455997
DETAILS
Location: 100% Remote
Position Type: 3-6M C2H
Hourly / Salary: to $175K 15% bonus
JOB SUMMARY
Vaco Technology is currently seeking an IT Vendor Relationship Manager for a 3-6M C2H opportunity that is 100% remote. The VRM will establish and optimize relationships with external technology providers, ensuring vendor partnerships align with business goals, enhance performance, deliver value, and meet performance expectations. This role is pivotal as a key link between internal teams and external vendors, including managing contracts, monitoring performance, and driving innovation through collaboration. Additionally, the VRM will support vendor relationship development, foster trust, and provide ongoing partnership support, while ensuring vendor services meet organizational needs and integrate with broader enterprise strategies and corporate-level objectives.
- Vendor Relationship Management – Serving as Primary PoC for Technology Vendors | Building Collaborative Relationships with Vendors / Internal Stakeholders (CIO / Tech Leads / etc.) | Fostering Trust via Empathetic Communication / Internal Negotiations (specifically when introducing new process to resistant teams)
- Contract / Compliance Oversight – Identifying / Documenting Existing Vendor Contracts (many lacking clear SLAs due to past acquisitions) | Negotiating New Contracts / SLAs / Ensuring Favorable Terms | Compliance with Cybersecurity / Risk Management Standards | Adherence to Regulatory Requirements
- Performance Monitoring – Developing KPIs Tailored to Technology Vendors, focusing on Skill Sets / Attrition Rates / Application Reliability | Establishing Reporting Processes / Data Collection for Decision-Making (discontinuing inefficient vendors / optimizing licenses, etc.)
- Risk / Cost Management – Mitigating Risks from Non-Standardized Processes / Legacy Relationships by Enforcing Cybersecurity / Third-Party Risk Management Protocols | Driving Cost Optimization by Addressing Over-Licensing / Redistributing Assets / Identifying Cost-Effective Vendors
- Cross-Functional Collaboration – Working With Technology / Finance / Procurement / SAM Team to Align Vendor Strategies With Organizational Goals | Supporting Technical Leads in Defining Performance Expectations / Streamlining Processes
About the Project: The current vendor management function lacks standardized SLAs and reporting, requiring the VRM to build foundational processes in a relatively unstructured environment. This team has been previously accustomed to a “Wild West” approach and may resist new governance and compliance requirements, ultimately necessitating strong conflict resolution and empathetic communication skills. Legacy contracts from acquisitions and siloed vendor relationships will complicate the initial assessment, requiring a “scavenger hunt” to map the current vendor ecosystem. Additionally, this VRM will support a high volume of vendor interactions in a fast-paced, matrixed environment, requiring the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple stakeholders. Essentially, this project will focus on managing technology vendor relationships with a phased approach to understanding, optimizing, and aligning vendor engagements.
- Vendor Assessment – Conducting comprehensive reviews of existing vendors, contracts, and SLAs, identifying key vendors, spend levels, and performance gaps.
- Cross-Organization Integration – Comparing the current vendor landscape against other business units and/or enterprise-wide operations to identify opportunities for synergy, consolidation, and cost optimization.
- Performance / Compliance Framework – Developing and implementing SLAs, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to monitor vendor performance, ensuring alignment with technology requirements and broader strategic goals.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Vendor Management (5 years) – Procurement / Technology Vendor Oversight | Managing MSP / SaaS / Cloud / Infrastructure / Technology Vendors
- Negotiation / Relationship Management – Strong Negotiation / Conflict Resolution / Relationship Management
- Compliance / Contract Knowledge – Familiarity With Contract Law / SLAs / Compliance Standards / IT Service Management Frameworks (ITIL)
- KPI Development – Developing / Tracking KPIs to Measure Vendor Performance / Service Delivery
- Technical Tools – ERP Systems / Vendor Portals / Procurement Tools (hands-on)
- Risk / Cost Management – Assess Risks / Optimize Costs / Drive Value Realization from Vendor Relationships
- Communication / Collaboration – Excellent Analytical / Communication / Collaboration Skills in Fast-Paced / Matrixed Environments
PREFERRED (but not required)
- Vendor Management / Supply Chain Certifications – CVRM / CPSM, etc.
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan.
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
Privacy Notice
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.