Vendor Management Lead

Overview

Hybrid 3 days onsite in Charlotte, NC. Our client seeks a vendor management leader to drive execution and adoption of an enterprise framework across a federated model. The role will operationalize standards, enable vendor managers, and strengthen governance in partnership with Third Party Risk Management and Procurement. The position requires data-driven insights, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to influence without direct authority.

The leader will advance reporting, forums, and remediation practices to improve vendor performance and risk alignment. This is a full-time, permanent opportunity, offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Qualified applicants must be willing and able to work on a W-2 basis.

• Own execution of enterprise vendor management standards, frameworks, and tools from concept through implementation in partnership with the AVP.
• Drive adoption of core practices, including vendor segmentation and tiering, performance management, governance forums and cadence, and issue management and remediation.
• Serve as primary point of contact for vendor managers by resolving questions, removing roadblocks, and ensuring action closure.
• Interpret and apply enterprise standards in practical, business-relevant ways for vendor managers.
• Support onboarding, training, and enablement through communities of practice, knowledge sharing, and best-practice exchange.
• Partner with Third-Party Risk Management to integrate risk considerations and coordinate audit, regulatory, and issue management activities.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Legal, Finance, and business stakeholders on escalations related to performance, service delivery, compliance, and improvement opportunities.
• Support reporting, dashboards, and insights to improve maturity across the vendor management lifecycle.
• Lead cross-functional execution on initiatives and escalations by setting next steps, tracking progress, and driving timely completion.
• Prepare materials, analyses, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Build strong working relationships across lines of business, functions, Procurement, and Risk teams.

• 8+ years in vendor management, procurement, or related roles within a complex corporate environment; financial services or insurance experience is a plus.
• Proven ability to aggregate, analyze, and translate vendor performance data into insights and actions.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills with influence across levels without direct authority.
• Experience developing and maintaining vendor management policies, standards, processes, roles, and responsibilities.
• Proficiency with vendor management frameworks with strategic and execution focus.
• Familiarity with change management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Innovative, curious mindset with interest in modern technologies and data-driven approaches.
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed environment, work independently, take ownership, and partner collaboratively to drive outcomes to completion.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.