Technology Vendor Manager - IT Labor

At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.

Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.

How will you make an impact in this role?

Looking to join a team at American Express in our Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) organization that is dynamic, fast paced and forward looking? We are currently growing our Technology Vendor Management (TVM) team to ensure our most critical third-party relationships deliver optimal value, resilience, and risk management at an enterprise scale.

You will perform a key role for this team by working closely with industry-leading IT Labor & Professional Service providers to drive best-in-class terms, performance, and adherence to contractual terms. You will also partner with internal teams within Global Supply Management, General Counsel's Office, and Technology to identify, define, and report on the contractual elements of our agreements as well as supporting all procurement activities.

This role will report to the Director of Vendor Management – IT Labor & Cloud and will be based in Phoenix, AZ. We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in vendor contracts, procurement and overall relationship management. The successful candidate will have the talent and experience needed to develop effective strategies to achieve optimal performance and value while maintaining strong partnerships.  

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management

• Draft Request for Proposals (RFPs) and commercial models for IT labor engagements (T&M, fixed-price, milestone-based, and managed services).

• Gather and translate customer requirements into clear terms, pricing structures, and performance expectations for all contract amendments and renewals.

• Negotiate contractual terms and conditions in accordance with benchmarking guidelines and company standards.

• Interpret contractual language to support stakeholder inquiries, issue resolution, and dispute management.

• Act as a Third-Party Relationship Manager (TRM) with an understanding of vendor engagement in alignment with business partner strategies and/or advising best practices to a Third-Party Relationship Manager (TRM).

Governance & Oversight

• Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with key vendor partnerships.

• Define and track performance metrics to support all required Third-Party Lifecycle Management (TLM) requirements.

• Monitor vendor compliance with security, risk, regulatory, and workforce policies.

Strategic Advisory & Market Insight

• Engage with external research and advisory firms to stay current on market trends, pricing benchmarks, and emerging risks.

• Develop points of view on optimal sourcing strategies, vendor mix, and delivery models.

• Provide executive-ready presentations for senior leadership.

• Act as the primary liaison between vendors and delivery teams.

• Advise leaders on vendor capabilities and suitability for different types of work with the goal of influencing strong outcomes while constructively challenging decisions that introduce cost, risk, or inefficiency.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with sourcing/procurement activities either as a customer or supplier, with specific emphasis on Statements of Work (e.g. T&M, fixed-bid, milestone-based). 

• Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years' experience managing vendor contracts.  

• Comfort working in a hybrid environment (3x per week in office).

Preferred Qualifications

• Finance/Portfolio analysis experience for CBAs.

• Proven experience building strong partnerships both internal and external.

• Ability to challenge the status quo while maintaining trusted vendor and stakeholder relationships.

• Experience leading large-scale negotiations and/or transformation projects.

Salary Range: $103,750.00 to $174,750.00 annually + bonus + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
• Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
• Career development and training opportunities

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

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Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.