Job description
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:
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
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
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
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
Broad working knowledge of compute, storage and networking components
Strong results-focused approach, with the ability to achieve and exceed goals while maintaininghigh 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, advanced excel skills, and strong interpersonal and relationship skills
Able to work flexible hours as required by business priorities
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Blackbaud powers social impact through purpose‑driven technology and responsible AI. Guided by our Intelligence for Good® vision, we’re building a culture where innovation, trust, and human expertise come together to help organizations make a greater difference in the world.
Blackbaud is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse and 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.
The starting base pay is $77,700.00 to $104,500.00. Blackbaud may pay more or less based on employee qualifications, market value, Company finances, and other operational considerations.Benefits Include:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Remote-flexible workforce
Wellness Programs
401(k) program with employer match
Flexible paid time off
Generous Parental Leave
Donations for Doers
Pet insurance, legal and identity protection
Tuition reimbursement program
Originally posted on Himalayas
Who can apply
Eligible countries: United States. Accepted UTC offsets: UTC-10, UTC-9, UTC-8, UTC-7, UTC-6, UTC-5, UTC+14. Review the full description for employer-specific work authorization, residency and schedule requirements.