Lead Director - Partner Performance Excellence

Leadership role focused exclusively on vendor performance governance. This position is responsible for designing and enforcing a comprehensive framework that ensures value, efficiency, and accountability from third-party suppliers. Unlike roles centered on procurement or contract negotiation, this position emphasizes the ongoing operational excellence of vendors and their alignment with business objectives. This role requires strategic oversight, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional leadership to optimize vendor contributions and drive continuous improvement.

What The Candidate Will Do:

• Establish and maintain formal systems of rules, processes, and metrics for measuring, monitoring, and managing vendor performance.
• Define KPIs and SLAs tailored to business criticality.
• Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of vendor performance data. Create clear, actionable reports and scorecards for executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Organize and facilitate regular business reviews with key vendors and internal teams. Ensure discussions are results-focused and supported by performance data.
• Drive resolution of performance gaps through structured action plans. Monitor progress and escalate unresolved issues as needed.
• Champion a culture of accountability and excellence across the organization and vendor ecosystem.
• Provide tools, training, and guidance to internal stakeholders for consistent oversight.
• Act as the final escalation point for unresolved performance-related issues. Lead resolution of complex disputes to safeguard business continuity.
• Use performance insights to advise leadership on vendor strategy. Identify opportunities for cost savings, service enhancements, and innovation.
• Manage a team of analysts focused on top IT vendors in portfolio

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in vendor management, supplier relations, or a related field, with a strong emphasis on performance and governance.
• 10+ years of experience with third-party technologies and vendor support management.
• 8+ years solving complex business or technical problems and proposing solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to influence leadership, vendors, technical teams, and drive successful outcomes in a collaborative environment, with a focus on managing contracts with excellence.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to synthesize and analyze large datasets to uncover performance trends and deliver actionable insights.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present performance data to executive audiences.
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to align vendor performance with broader business strategy and identify long-term opportunities for value creation.

Education

• Bachelor degree from accredited university or equivalent work experience (HS diploma + 4 years relevant experience)