Senior Program Manager – IT Technology Vendor Management

Kelly Mitchell; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

ESOP (Employee-Owned Profit Sharing)

401K

Job summary

KellyMitchell Group in Oakland, CA is seeking a Senior Program Manager – IT Technology Vendor Management to lead strategic technology vendor relationships, optimize costs, and align capabilities with multi-year investment plans. You will partner with IT leadership, Sourcing, Finance, and Legal to strengthen governance and value.

The role requires 8+ years in IT vendor management and a proven track record in negotiating with Tier-1 suppliers, managing contracts, and delivering measurable cost

Qualifications

• 8+ years in IT vendor management, sourcing, or technology strategy.
• Expertise managing Tier-1 supplier relationships, IT contracts, vendor governance, contractual commitments, and technology lifecycles.
• Strong financial acumen, including business case development, cost optimization, total cost of ownership analysis, and contract strategy.
• Experience managing large‑scale projects, technology implementations, or process improvements while balancing competing priorities.
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and influencing skills, including executive reporting and collaboration with technical and operational teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage the technology vendor lifecycle, including onboarding, governance, performance reviews, contract compliance, and alignment with technology roadmaps
• Develop and strengthen Tier-1 and Tier-2 supplier relationships, facilitating regular leadership discussions on performance, product roadmaps, and business needs
• Establish and monitor vendor KPIs and SLAs, using quantitative analysis to drive accountability, resolve operational issues, and improve service delivery
• Partner with Sourcing to develop negotiation strategies, restructure commercial relationships, and identify cost-saving opportunities
• Conduct total cost of ownership analysis, develop business cases, and prepare vendor spend forecasts aligned with capital and operating expense plans
• Translate business and technology requirements into vendor strategies, evaluating market trends, emerging technologies, proof‑of‑concept opportunities, and technology rationalization
• Deliver executive reporting and recommendations on vendor performance, financial forecasts, risks, and opportunities while coordinating cross-functional technology and process improvements

Skills

Vendor management

Financial analysis

Executive reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or related field

Master’s degree in Business/Engineering/IT

ITIL certification

Tools

SAP Ariba

Coupa

ServiceNow

GEP

Job description

Job Summary

Our client, a leading energy provider, is seeking a Senior Program Manager – IT Technology Vendor Management to join their team. This senior individual contributor will manage strategic technology vendor relationships, optimize costs, and align vendor capabilities with business objectives and multi-year technology investment plans. The role partners with IT leadership, Operations, Architecture, Sourcing, Finance, and Legal to strengthen vendor performance, governance, and value.

Contract Details

Contract Duration: November 30, 2026–November 29, 2027

Location: Oakland, CA

Work Model: Hybrid

Core Responsibilities

• Manage the technology vendor lifecycle, including onboarding, governance, performance reviews, contract compliance, and alignment with technology roadmaps
• Develop and strengthen Tier-1 and Tier-2 supplier relationships, facilitating regular leadership discussions on performance, product roadmaps, and business needs
• Establish and monitor vendor KPIs and SLAs, using quantitative analysis to drive accountability, resolve operational issues, and improve service delivery
• Partner with Sourcing to develop negotiation strategies, restructure commercial relationships, and identify cost‑saving opportunities
• Conduct total cost of ownership analysis, develop business cases, and prepare vendor spend forecasts aligned with capital and operating expense plans
• Translate business and technology requirements into vendor strategies, evaluating market trends, emerging technologies, proof‑of‑concept opportunities, and technology rationalization
• Deliver executive reporting and recommendations on vendor performance, financial forecasts, risks, and opportunities while coordinating cross-functional technology and process improvements

Required Skills/Experience (Must-Haves)

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in IT vendor management, sourcing, or technology strategy
• Expertise managing complex Tier-1 supplier relationships, IT contracts, vendor governance, contractual commitments, and technology lifecycles
• Experience developing supplier strategies and partnering across business and technical teams to align vendor capabilities with organizational objectives
• Strong financial acumen, including business case development, cost optimization, total cost of ownership analysis, and contract strategy
• Experience managing large‑scale projects, technology implementations, or process improvements while balancing competing priorities
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and influencing skills, including executive reporting and collaboration with technical and operational teams

Preferred Skills/Experience (Nice-to-Haves)

• Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline
• Relevant supplier management, technology procurement, or ITIL certification
• Experience managing technology vendors within large, complex enterprises and multi‑year investment planning cycles
• Experience with ERP, vendor management, or procurement tools such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, ServiceNow, or GEP
• Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, and risk management considerations within IT vendor contracts
• Understanding of IT infrastructure, applications, cloud services, and emerging technologies
• Demonstrated success driving innovation and measurable value through vendor partnerships

Key Competencies & Behaviors

• Strategic business and vendor alignment
• Cross-functional relationship building
• Supplier influence and stakeholder engagement
• Analytical decision-making
• Proactive problem resolution
• Independent ownership and accountability
• Effective prioritization and execution
• Team-oriented collaboration
• Operational excellence mindset

Work Environment

• Location: Oakland, CA
• Work Model: Hybrid, requiring 2–3 days onsite
• Schedule: Full-time hours, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Range: The approximate pay range for this position is between $44.00 and $63.00. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and location. We comply with local wage minimums.

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Plans
• Employee-Owned Profit Sharing (ESOP)
• 401K offered

About KellyMitchell

At KellyMitchell, our culture is world class. We’re movers and shakers! We don’t mind a bit of friendly competition, and we reward hard work with unlimited potential for growth. This is an exciting opportunity to join a company known for innovative solutions and unsurpassed customer service. We're passionate about helping companies solve their biggest IT staffing & project solutions challenges. As an employee-owned, women‑led organization serving Fortune 500 companies nationwide, we deliver expert service at a moment's notice.