IT Vendor Relationship Manager

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• 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 maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.
• E xcellent 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
• Stay up to date on everything Blackbaud, follow us on Linkedin , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and YouTube
• 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.
• 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

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