Strategic Vendor Manager

Milliman, Inc; Seattle (WA); Remote; USD 132,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Strategic Vendor Manager to enhance partnerships with key platform providers, particularly Microsoft. This remote role requires a strategic mindset and strong relationship-building skills to manage platform utilization commitments and optimize strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in technology partnership management and a proven track record of fostering alliances. Join a forward-thinking company that values collaboration and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off and a 401(k) plan with company matching. Make a significant impact by driving strategic growth and innovation in this dynamic environment.

Benefits

Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage

Employee Assistance Program

401(k) Plan with Company Matching

Discretionary Bonus Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off

Paid Parental Leave

Life Insurance & AD&D

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technology partnership management, especially with Microsoft.
• Proven track record in managing platform utilization commitments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies for platform resource utilization.
• Manage relationships with partner platforms and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic Partnership Management

Technical Acumen

Relationship Building

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field

Master's Degree (preferred)

Tools

Partner Centers

Marketplace Platforms

Job description

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Strategic Vendor Manager will serve as the primary liaison between Milliman and key partner platform providers, with Microsoft being the primary focus. This role involves managing platform utilization commitments, leveraging funding opportunities from various partner platforms, enhancing marketplace offerings, optimizing strategic initiatives, and managing firm commitments with partners, including tracking spending. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in strategic partnership management, strong technical acumen, relationship-building skills, and a strategic mindset to navigate and expand our partnerships with multiple partner platforms.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Partner Platform Utilization and Strategic Planning

• Develop Strategic Plans: Create and implement comprehensive strategies to track and accelerate platform resource utilization ahead of contractual obligations across partner platforms.


• Coordinate Resource Utilization: Manage the planned burn-down of platform resources, ensuring timely and efficient use of allocated services.


• Target New Products/Offers: Identify and promote new offerings from primary partner platforms (Microsoft) and other providers to boost utilization and achieve commitment goals.


• Manage Partner Platform stakeholders: Lead stakeholders across various practices to drive adoption and consistent utilization.


• Collaborate Across Departments: Align IT, Sales, Marketing, and Partnership teams to support platform utilization strategies and initiatives.

Enhancing Partnership Engagement

• Liaise with Partner Development Managers (PDMs): Escalate and resolve partnership issues by collaborating with assigned PDMs and account teams from primary partner platforms, particularly Microsoft.


• Increase Partner Center Engagement: Boost involvement in Partner Centers of various platforms through strategic initiatives and collaborative activities.


• Event Participation: Facilitate Milliman's inclusion in key partner platform events such as Microsoft Partner Summit and AWS reinvent to enhance visibility and networking opportunities.


• Executive Briefings: Discover opportunities for executive briefings to develop partnership objectives and educate stakeholders on partner opportunities.

Managing Partner Funding and Incentives

• Track Marketplace Rewards: Monitor and manage Marketplace Rewards across different partner platforms, ensuring alignment with Milliman's strategic goals.


• Leverage Funding Programs: Identify and qualify for funding opportunities from primary and secondary partner platforms, such as Microsoft's Azure Credit Offer (ACO), AWS's Enterprise Discount Program (EDP), and Google Cloud's Innovation Grants, to support deployment and innovation projects.


• Implement Funding Strategies: Utilize funds to accelerate projects, reduce dual-run costs, and support new technology adoption across platform environments.

Optimizing Marketplace Strategies

• Manage Partner Center Access: Serve as the single point of contact for Partner Center access across multiple partner platforms, ensuring streamlined enablement and management.


• Publisher Environment Management: Oversee Publisher access and environments to maintain successful Marketplace listings on platforms like Microsoft AppSource, AWS Marketplace, and Databricks Marketplace.


• Activate and Track Offerings: Partner across Milliman businesses to take advantage of new offerings on various partner marketplaces and monitor their performance.


• Educate Internal Teams: Train teams on Milliman's Marketplace offerings and their benefits across different partner platforms.

Enabling Executive and Strategic Partnerships

• Foster Executive Relationships: Develop and maintain relationships across key partners and facilitate executive relationships with Milliman leaders to advance strategic initiatives and collaborative projects.


• Identify and support Innovative Solutions: Engage with Milliman teams and partner product teams to propose and develop solutions that align with their investment areas and strategic goals.

Expanding Partnerships and Future Growth

• Broaden Partnership Ecosystem: Support negotiations and partnerships beyond Microsoft to include other key technology and solution integrators (e.g., Databricks, AWS, SAP, Google Cloud).


• Support Strategic Growth: Identify and educate Milliman teams on new partnership opportunities to support business growth and diversify revenue streams across multiple partner environments.

Managing Firm Commitments and Tracking Spend

• Oversee Commitment Agreements: Manage and oversee firm commitments with partner platforms, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations and strategic goals.


• Track and Analyze Spend: Monitor and track spending against commitments across all partner platforms, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and identifying areas for cost optimization.


• Reporting and Compliance: Generate regular reports on commitment fulfillment and spend tracking, ensuring transparency and compliance with partner agreements.


• Optimize Resource Allocation: Work closely with finance, Procurement and operational teams to ensure that expenditures align with strategic initiatives and provide maximum ROI.


• Mitigate Risks: Identify potential risks related to commitment fulfillment and spend management, implementing strategies to mitigate these risks effectively.


• Support Procurement leadership in contracting process/cycles (new solution or renewal), for primary solution SKU's, maintenance/support, or any professional services contracts.


• Lead QBR meetings, including vendor QBR calendaring, attendee coordination and agenda.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• The ideal candidate must have minimum10 years of experience in technology partnership management, with extensive experience in managing strategic partnerships across multiple partner platforms.


• The ideal candidate must have proven track record in managing large-scale platform utilization commitments and fostering strategic alliances, particularly with Microsoft.


• The ideal candidate must have In-depth knowledge of Microsoft and AWS operations and partnership models.


• Must have familiarity with platform financing models and incentive programs across different partner providers.


• Must have strong strategic planning and project management abilities.


• Must have excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience engaging high-level stakeholders.


• Must be proficient in using multiple Partner Centers and managing Marketplace listings across various partner platforms.

LOCATION:

This is a remote role. This job posting is expected to close on May 30^th, 2025

COMPENSATION:

The salary range for this role is $132,000 - $248,000, depending on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, education, relevant work experience, qualifications, skills, certifications, location, etc.

BENEFITS:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial security, and well-being. Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental and Vision - Coverage for employees, dependents, and domestic partners.


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Confidential support for personal and work-related challenges.


• 401(k) Plan - Includes a company matching program and profit-sharing contributions.


• Discretionary Bonus Program - Recognizing employee contributions.


• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Pre-tax savings for dependent care, transportation, and eligible medical expenses.


• Paid Time Off (PTO) - Begins accruing on the first day of work;
  
  
  
  • Full-time employees accrue 15 days per year.
  
  
  • Employees working less full-time accrue PTO on a prorated basis.
  
  
  
  


• Holidays - A minimum of 10 observed holidays per year.


• Family Building Benefits including Adoption and fertility assistance.


• Paid Parental Leave - Up to 12 weeks of paid leave for employees who meet eligibility criteria.


• Life Insurance & AD&D - 100% of premiums covered by Milliman.


• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability - Fully paid by Milliman.

ABOUT MILLIMAN:

Independent for over 77 years, Milliman delivers market-leading services and solutions to clients worldwide. Today, we are helping companies take on some of the world's most critical and complex issues, including retirement funding and healthcare financing, risk management and regulatory compliance, data analytics and business transformation.

Through a team of professionals ranging from actuaries to clinicians, technology specialists to plan administrators, we offer unparalleled expertise in employee benefits, investment consulting, healthcare, life insurance and financial services, and property and casualty insurance.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.