IT Vendor Relationship Manager

About the role:

The IT Vendor Relationship Manager manages the full lifecycle of vendor engagements within specialist categories and leads Strategic Sourcing engagements, collaborating with business leaders, finance and technical staff to identify requirements, financial analysis, manages vendor selection. This role negotiates contracts, statements of work, deliverables and rates and monitors vendor performance against contracts and SLAs, escalations and vendor offboarding.

What you'll be doing:

Strategic Sourcing:

• Lead RFx processes (RFI/RFP/RFQ), supplier evaluations, and award decisions

• Analyze market trends, supplier cost structures, and total cost of ownership (TCO)

• Partner with stakeholders to align sourcing plans with business needs and budgets

• Deliver cost savings, service level improvements, and risk reduction

Contract Negotiation & Management:

• Lead commercial negotiations in partnership with Legal and Finance

• Own contract lifecycle: redlines, renewals, amendments, and performance obligations

• Ensure contract terms reflect business, compliance, and risk requirements

• Maintain awareness of renewal timelines and proactively initiate renegotiations

Vendor Performance & Relationship Management:

• Act as the primary relationship owner for strategic and high-impact vendors

• Develop and track vendor scorecards, SLAs, and KPIs

• Lead regular business reviews and escalations

• Identify vendor consolidation, innovation, or restructuring opportunities

Risk & Compliance:

• Collaborate with Cyber, Legal, and Compliance teams to assess and manage third-party risk

• Ensure adherence to internal sourcing policies and external regulatory requirements

What we'll want you to have:

• 5+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing or vendor management, preferably in a SaaS organization

• Proven experience leading contract negotiations and supplier governance

• Strong understanding of sourcing methodology and cost modeling

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and analytical skills

• Familiarity with ERP/procurement systems and contract lifecycle platforms

• Advanced Excel skills

• Broad working knowledge of compute, storage and networking components

• Strong results-focused approach, with the ability to achieve and exceed goals while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.

• Excellent organization and planning abilities, effectively managing multiple projects and priorities to ensure timely and successful completion.

• Skilled in negotiation and conflict management, adept at resolving issues and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders.

• Proficient in risk and issue management, identifying potential challenges and implementing strategies to mitigate risks and address issues promptly.

• Committed to process management and improvement, continuously seeking opportunities to enhance workflows and optimize performance.

• Utilizes metrics and analysis to drive decision-making, leveraging data to inform strategies and measure success.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills

• Ability to maintain emotional control and composure even under high stress

• Able to work flexible hours as required by business priorities

Stay up to date on everything Blackbaud,

Blackbaud is a digital-first company which embraces a flexible remote or hybrid work culture. Blackbaud supports hiring and career development for all roles from the location you are in today

Blackbaud is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.