Program Manager II

Pivot Point Solutions; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Pivot Point Solutions, a California-based technology consulting firm, seeks a Senior Program Manager specializing in IT vendor management. You will manage Tier 1 and Tier 2 technology vendors, develop enterprise-wide vendor strategies, and lead cost optimization initiatives within a hybrid Oakland, CA environment.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree and 8+ years in IT vendor management, contracts, and governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or a related field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in IT vendor management, technology sourcing, supplier management, technology strategy, or a closely related discipline
• Significant experience managing strategic relationships with large enterprise technology vendors
• Strong understanding of IT contracts, vendor governance, supplier performance, and technology lifecycle management
• Experience managing vendor KPIs, SLAs, performance reviews, and contractual commitments
• Demonstrated experience with cost optimization, contract strategy, and vendor financial analysis
• Experience developing business cases, Total Cost of Ownership analysis, forecasts, and executive-level reporting
• Strong financial acumen with an understanding of capital and operating expense planning
• Experience partnering with sourcing, procurement, finance, legal, architecture, and IT operations teams
• Ability to manage multiple complex vendor relationships and competing priorities
• Strong project and program management capabilities
• Excellent executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work independently while influencing cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
• Experience managing Tier 1 technology vendors within a large enterprise environment
• Experience restructuring vendor or contractual relationships to improve cost, performance, or business value
• Experience with SAP Ariba, Coupa, ServiceNow, GEP, or similar procurement and vendor management platforms
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure, enterprise applications, cloud services, and emerging technologies
• Experience supporting multi-year technology investment and financial planning
• Experience within utility, energy, critical infrastructure, or another highly regulated industry
• Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, and third-party risk considerations associated with technology vendors
• Experience developing strategic supplier scorecards and executive business reviews
• Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline
• CPSM, CTPP, ITIL, PMP, or other relevant professional certification

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 technology vendors throughout the vendor lifecycle
• Develop vendor strategies aligned with enterprise technology roadmaps, operational priorities, and business objectives
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews focused on performance, product roadmaps, service delivery, risks, and future opportunities
• Establish and monitor vendor KPIs, SLAs, contractual commitments, and performance metrics
• Analyze supplier performance data and develop recommendations to improve service, accountability, and operational efficiency
• Partner with Sourcing to develop negotiation strategies, optimize commercial terms, and identify cost-saving opportunities
• Conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis to evaluate direct and indirect technology costs
• Track vendor-related spending, forecasts, and financial performance across capital and operating expense plans
• Prepare vendor performance reports, financial analysis, dashboards, and recommendations for executive leadership
• Collaborate with IT Operations, Enterprise Architecture, Finance, Legal, Sourcing, and business teams to define vendor requirements
• Translate technology and business requirements into vendor-specific strategies and solutions
• Manage vendor onboarding, governance, performance reviews, contract compliance, and relationship changes
• Identify vendor-related risks and work with stakeholders to develop mitigation strategies
• Evaluate emerging technologies, market trends, and alternative vendor solutions
• Identify opportunities to rationalize the technology portfolio and improve the value of existing technology investments
• Support proofs of concept and new technology evaluations with vendors and internal technology teams
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across vendor management processes and governance
• Develop business cases and strategic recommendations supporting technology investment decisions
• Represent vendor strategy in executive discussions while maintaining strong working relationships with technical and operational teams

Skills

Executive communication

Presentation

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Project management

Vendor management

IT contracts

Vendor governance

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP Ariba

Coupa

ServiceNow

GEP

Job description

Pivot Point Solutions is a California-based technology consulting firm that specializes in delivering IT solutions and support for the construction and utility industries. We partner with organizations across the state to provide reliable technology services that improve operational efficiency, enhance project delivery, and support critical business systems.

Our team understands the unique technology challenges facing construction and utility organizations, from field operations and infrastructure projects to enterprise applications and cybersecurity. By combining industry expertise with responsive service, we help clients modernize their technology environments, streamline workflows, and maintain secure, reliable IT systems that support long-term growth.

Job Overview

Sector: Information Technology

Location: Oakland, CA

Job Type: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in office)

Compensation: $49.31 - $66.00/hour

As a Senior Program Manager specializing in IT Technology Vendor Management, you will serve as a strategic partner responsible for managing and optimizing relationships with major technology suppliers across a complex enterprise environment. You'll work closely with IT leadership, sourcing, finance, architecture, operations, and legal teams to ensure technology vendors deliver measurable value, meet contractual commitments, and align with long-term technology and business priorities.

This role combines strategic vendor management, financial analysis, contract strategy, supplier performance, and executive engagement. You'll manage relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 technology suppliers while identifying opportunities to reduce costs, improve performance, manage risk, and introduce innovative technologies across the organization.

Your Day-to-Day Activities

Manage strategic relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 technology vendors throughout the vendor lifecycle

Develop vendor strategies aligned with enterprise technology roadmaps, operational priorities, and business objectives

Conduct regular supplier business reviews focused on performance, product roadmaps, service delivery, risks, and future opportunities

Establish and monitor vendor KPIs, SLAs, contractual commitments, and performance metrics

Analyze supplier performance data and develop recommendations to improve service, accountability, and operational efficiency

Partner with Sourcing to develop negotiation strategies, optimize commercial terms, and identify cost-saving opportunities

Conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis to evaluate direct and indirect technology costs

Track vendor-related spending, forecasts, and financial performance across capital and operating expense plans

Prepare vendor performance reports, financial analysis, dashboards, and recommendations for executive leadership

Collaborate with IT Operations, Enterprise Architecture, Finance, Legal, Sourcing, and business teams to define vendor requirements

Translate technology and business requirements into vendor-specific strategies and solutions

Manage vendor onboarding, governance, performance reviews, contract compliance, and relationship changes

Identify vendor-related risks and work with stakeholders to develop mitigation strategies

Evaluate emerging technologies, market trends, and alternative vendor solutions

Identify opportunities to rationalize the technology portfolio and improve the value of existing technology investments

Support proofs of concept and new technology evaluations with vendors and internal technology teams

Lead continuous improvement initiatives across vendor management processes and governance

Develop business cases and strategic recommendations supporting technology investment decisions

Represent vendor strategy in executive discussions while maintaining strong working relationships with technical and operational teams

The Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or a related field

8+ years of progressive experience in IT vendor management, technology sourcing, supplier management, technology strategy, or a closely related discipline

Significant experience managing strategic relationships with large enterprise technology vendors

Strong understanding of IT contracts, vendor governance, supplier performance, and technology lifecycle management

Experience managing vendor KPIs, SLAs, performance reviews, and contractual commitments

Demonstrated experience with cost optimization, contract strategy, and vendor financial analysis

Experience developing business cases, Total Cost of Ownership analysis, forecasts, and executive-level reporting

Strong financial acumen with an understanding of capital and operating expense planning

Experience partnering with sourcing, procurement, finance, legal, architecture, and IT operations teams

Ability to manage multiple complex vendor relationships and competing priorities

Strong project and program management capabilities

Excellent executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills

Ability to work independently while influencing cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders

You’ll Stand Out If You Have

Experience managing Tier 1 technology vendors within a large enterprise environment

Experience restructuring vendor or contractual relationships to improve cost, performance, or business value

Experience with SAP Ariba, Coupa, ServiceNow, GEP, or similar procurement and vendor management platforms

Knowledge of IT infrastructure, enterprise applications, cloud services, and emerging technologies

Experience supporting multi-year technology investment and financial planning

Experience within utility, energy, critical infrastructure, or another highly regulated industry

Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, and third-party risk considerations associated with technology vendors

Experience developing strategic supplier scorecards and executive business reviews

Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline

CPSM, CTPP, ITIL, PMP, or other relevant professional certification