Assistant Vice President, IT Vendor Management

Position Summary:

Join our dynamic team at Ascot Group as an Assistant Vice President of IT Vendor Management reporting to the SVP, IT Strategy and Transformation in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). As a leader within our Information Technology (IT) department, you will play a pivotal role in leading, shaping, and executing our sourcing, procurement, and vendor management strategy, ensuring alignment with our organizational goals and driving excellence in vendor relationships. This role is expected to work in the office on a hybrid schedule.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Vendor Selection, Evaluation, and Management: Lead the identification and evaluation of strategic vendor partnerships to support business growth and innovation. Develop and implement a comprehensive vendor management strategy that aligns with the company's long-term objectives.
• Executive Contract Negotiation and Oversight: Oversee high-stakes contract negotiations to secure optimal terms and conditions. Ensure robust governance of vendor contracts, including compliance, renewals, and terminations.
• Leadership and Relationship Building: Foster and maintain senior-level relationships with key vendors to drive mutual success. Serve as the primary escalation point for critical vendor-related issues, ensuring swift and effective resolution.
• Performance and Risk Management: Establish and monitor advanced Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate vendor performance and drive continuous improvement. Lead risk management initiatives, addressing cybersecurity threats, compliance issues, and other potential risks.
• Financial Oversight and Cost Optimization: Collaborate with the finance department to oversee vendor-related expenditures, ensuring alignment with strategic financial goals. Conduct in-depth cost-benefit analyses to identify opportunities for cost savings and process enhancements.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Work closely with senior leadership, IT teams, legal, procurement, and business units to align vendor strategies with overall business objectives
• Innovation and Technology Trends: Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in IT vendor management and provide strategic recommendations for incorporating innovative solutions into the vendor management process.
• Communication and Reporting: Deliver regular updates to senior key stakeholders on vendor performance and strategic initiatives and prepare and present detailed reports and presentations on vendor management activities and outcomes.
• Policy and Procedure Leadership: Develop, implement, and drive continuous improvement of vendor management policies and procedures, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Commit to the Ascot Way: Embody and promote The Ascot Way, fostering a culture of engagement, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability within the IT organization.
• Strategic Vendor Selection, Evaluation, and Management: Lead the identification and evaluation of strategic vendor partnerships to support business growth and innovation. Develop and implement a comprehensive vendor management strategy that aligns with the company's long-term objectives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in IT vendor management, procurement, or related roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Proven track record of successful vendor management at a strategic level.
• Exceptional negotiation skills and extensive experience in contract management.
• Deep understanding of IT procurement processes and vendor evaluation criteria.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and drive change at the executive level.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze complex situations and make informed decisions.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the insurance sector.

The salary for this position is $165,000-$180,000

Company Benefits

The Company provides a competitive benefits package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, AD&D, Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program), and more

Leave Benefits: Paid holidays, annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state /local paid leave where required), Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Other leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, Adoption, Maternity, Military, Primary & Non-Primary Caregiver)

Retirement Benefits: Contributory Savings Plan (401k)

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