IT Vendor Management Specialist, 80-100% (ID2134)

Job description

Short Description The IT Vendor Managemnet Specialist is responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial management of all external IT partners, service providers, and technology vendors of the AO IT organization. The position ensures that all vendor delivered services meet the AO’s expectations in quality, security, cost efficiency, compliance, and performance. The role collaborates closely with Procurement, Security, IT Architecture, Infrastructure, IT Business Applications, Service Desk, and key business stakeholders to guarantee end to end service continuity and a professional vendor ecosystem. Main Responsibilities Vendor & Third-Party Management (60% of the role): Develop, implement, and continuously improve the AO’s vendor management framework, including policies, governance, and lifecycle management Drive vendor consolidation Strongly support changing vendors delivery method from a staff augmentation to a managed work approach Lead the full lifecycle: sourcing, evaluation, onboarding, contracting, performance management, productivity, renewal, and offboarding Ensure compliance with AO information security and regulatory requirements, including periodic vendor audits and assessments Contract, Commercial & Financial Management Lead contract negotiations in cooperation with IT procurement to secure cost-effective and high-quality services Manage vendor-related budgeting, financial forecasting, spend tracking, and cost optimization Ensure alignment of all contracts with AO legal, procurement, and compliance requirements SLA, KPI & Performance Management Define service levels, KPIs, OLAs, and performance measures for all external providers Conduct structured performance reviews with vendors, including escalations and corrective action plans Ensure transparency of service quality through standardized reporting and dashboards Risk, Security & Compliance Ensure that all vendors adhere to AO’s Information Security Policy, IAM requirements, data-protection standards, and incident-response expectations Work with the IT Security Manager to manage vendor-related risk assessments, security audits, and continuous improvement measures Maintain a vendor risk register and ensure mitigation actions are implemented Operations and Management Coordination (20% of role): Team & Operational Coordination Coordinate administrative and organizational activities within IT, maintain documentation and governance materials, and support planning of meetings, presentations, workshops, and reports. Management Support Serve as a central coordination point for IT leadership, stakeholders, and partners; track initiative progress, highlight priorities and risks, and prepare briefings to support decision-making. Partner & Stakeholder Management Assist with partner coordination, meeting documentation, and action tracking while ensuring clear communication and strong relationships with vendors and service providers. Operational Improvement Identify workflow inefficiencies, propose improvements, support digital tools and automation, and help monitor costs and performance to drive operational excellence. Main Requirements Educational Requirements Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field Additional training in negotiation, contract law, or financial management is an advantage Core Skills / Competencies Strong expertise in IT vendor management, IT contract negotiation, and commercial governance Excellent knowledge of IT service management frameworks (ITIL), SLA models, and performance management Solid understanding of IT security, IAM, compliance standards, and risk management Experience with Mircrosoft license models (Azure, MS365) Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex operational and commercial data Ability to manage multi vendor environments and resolve escalations in a structured and collaborative manner Job Experience Minimum 4 years of experience in IT vendor management Proven experience managing complex vendor ecosystems, including cloud, managed services, workplace, and infrastructure providers. Experience in audit driven environments and security sensitive operational contexts. Language Skills Proficient in English (written and spoken). German is a strong asset. Job Location This position requires regular (min 3x a week) presence in Davos HQ