Vendor Relationship Manager

Description

We seek an experienced Program Manager to oversee and deliver multiple vendor program portfolio for relationship management, in collaboration with sponsors and other strategic partners. This role demands strategic thinking, operational execution, relationship building, negotiation, and influence to meet Enterprise Technology & Security objectives. 

Program efforts typically encompass multiple parallel projects, subject matter experts, managers, and key stakeholders. These vendor relationship management efforts can substantially impact business economics and the success of strategic plans. They often require considerable funding oversight and a deep understanding of both individual areas and interconnected organizations. The responsibility for managing significant vendor portfolios will require addressing moderately complex business challenges, engage in multidisciplinary vendor oversight within a larger portfolio, and possess comprehensive knowledge of the firm and its key functions. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Program vendor oversight, stakeholder management, which includes engaging and influencing stakeholders at various levels, building strong relationships, and managing expectations.
• Primary contact for strategic vendors and internal business partners for all contract and relationship requirements
  • Serve as an advisor and representative for both the business and the strategic partner.
• Comprehensive understanding and management of multiple contracts
  • Ability to field questions and provide guidance to internal business partners across the Bank as needed.
  • Ability to understand, negotiate and oversee software, services, managed services delivery, and overall project delivery contracts.
• Recurring activities include (but not limited to)
  • Partnering closely with Sourcing to ensure statement(s) of work are fit for purpose and align with agreed upon roles and rates.
  • Partnering closely with Risk Management to manage overall vendor third- and fourth-party risks for both onshore and offshore locations
  • Partnering closely with Finance to evaluate spend for capital, operating expenses, and vendor credits to be submitted to Citizens.
  • Managing vendor performance, service level adherence and remediation if necessary
  • Performance reporting in accordance with Third Party requirements
  • Semi-annual review and confirmation of amendments to contractual Service Levels, OKRs and scope of services
  • Ensuring contractual compliance

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience is required.
• Ability to communicate with, negotiate and influence stakeholders at all management levels is essential.
• Working with delivery vendor partners that have onshore and offshore contractual relationships.
• Vendor Relationship Management of over $50MM annually in contract oversight.
• Experience managing high-value critical service contracts is preferred.
• The ability to work independently and solve problems, while knowing when to escalate issues, is important.
• Experience in a regulated industry is preferred.

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: M-F 3 days in office 2 days remote. Johnston RI or Westwood MA

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.