IT Vendor Management Lead

APi Group is a global, market-leading business services provider of safety and specialty services in over 500 locations worldwide. APi provides statutorily mandated and other contracted services to a strong base of long-standing customers across industries. We are driven by entrepreneurial business leaders to deliver innovative solutions for our customers. As our presence across the globe increases, we are striving to become the #1 people-first company in the world.

At APi Group, our purpose is clear: We Build Great Leaders. We believe that everyone at APi is a Leader, and we provide leadership development programs across our businesses to facilitate growth. Our distinct leadership development culture creates an empowered, entrepreneurial atmosphere where our leaders can grow, thrive, and belong. 

Job Title: IT Vendor Management Lead

Position Summary

The IT Vendor Management Lead is responsible for driving excellence across vendor engagement, compliance, oversight, and performance. This strategic role partners closely with Procurement, Legal, IT, and business stakeholders to ensure vendors fulfill contractual obligations and deliver maximum value to the organization.

In addition to vendor governance, this role leads the optimization of software licensing, compliance, and audit defense strategies. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Oracle and Microsoft licensing models, maintain a state of audit readiness, and implement cost-saving initiatives that align licensing strategies with broader business objectives.

Success in this role requires a proactive, analytical mindset and the ability to balance cost efficiency, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance in a fast-paced enterprise environment.

Key Responsibilities

Vendor Relationship & Governance

• Manage relationships with technology vendors to promote and maintain best-in-class innovative partnerships.
• Establish and implement an internal technology vendor governance framework, including oversight and performance management strategies with detailed KPI reporting.
• Facilitate regular performance reviews with key vendors to evaluate compliance, resolve issues, and identify improvement areas.
• Partner with IT, legal, and procurement teams to provide vendor performance data which is utilized to strategize and deliver negotiations.
• Work closely with the procurement to pick up contracts for management post-execution.
• Translate contractual obligations into actionable internal processes and checkpoints.

Performance, Compliance, & Audit Management

• Conduct SLA reviews and ensure that liquidated damages have been correctly calculated.
• Serve as point of contact for external IT supplier audits in partnership with Licensing Specialists.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and successfully navigate vendor audits with minimal financial or operational impact
• Lead software audit defense efforts by collaborating with internal stakeholders and external auditors.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for any software true ups.

Software Asset Management & Licensing

• Establish and refine SAM processes to enhance maturity and operational efficiency including setup, configure, and optimize practices for any future implementation of SAM tools along with adjacent capabilities for software discovery, tracking, and reporting
• Collaborate with Procurement, Finance, and Legal teams to anticipate future license needs, enabling strategic negotiations of software renewals and enterprise agreements.
• Perform in-depth data analysis to assess software usage, license compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Manage software entitlements, renewals, and contractual obligations across multiple vendors.
• Maintain and optimize Effective License Positions (ELPs) to ensure cost efficiency and compliance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in IT vendor management, software asset management (SAM), or IT procurement
• Strong understanding of contract lifecycle management, vendor governance frameworks, and SLA/KPI oversight
• Proven experience managing Oracle and Microsoft licensing structures, including renewals, true-ups, and compliance
• Demonstrated ability to lead audit defense strategies and maintain audit-ready documentation
• Proficiency in SAM tools (e.g., Flexera, ServiceNow, Snow Software) and practices for software discovery, tracking, and reporting
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex licensing data and identify cost-saving opportunities
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, Procurement, and IT

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, CSAM, CITAM, ISO 19770)
• Experience negotiating enterprise agreements and managing multi-vendor software portfolios
• Familiarity with cloud licensing models (e.g., Azure, AWS, Oracle Cloud) and hybrid environments
• Track record of implementing vendor performance dashboards and KPI reporting frameworks
• Experience with risk mitigation strategies in software compliance and licensing
• Knowledge of global licensing regulations and software entitlement management across regions

Success Measures:

• Achieve high vendor compliance rates by ensuring adherence to SLAs and contractual obligations
• Successfully defend software audits with minimal financial or operational impact
• Reduce software expenditure through strategic licensing optimization and entitlement management
• Implement and continuously improve SAM processes to enhance operational maturity for effective software discovery, tracking, and reporting that would lead to future implementation of a SAM Tool
• Deliver accurate, actionable vendor performance data to support strategic negotiations
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and proactive risk mitigation practices
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with IT, Legal, Procurement, and Finance
• Secure favorable terms in software renewals and enterprise agreements
• Aligning licensing strategies with evolving business goals and technology needs

Benefits and Compensation:

This role will be based out of our New Brighton office. The pay range is $106,100 - $159,700, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This position is eligible for annual bonus and profit sharing based on company performance in addition to other benefits that support the total well-being of you and your family. Some benefits include:

• Comprehensive Insurance coverage, Medical, Dental, Vision, and more
• Access to corporate fitness center
• Wellness Program
• 401K with employer match
• Discounted company stock (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
• Profit Sharing
• Generous paid time off
• Growth opportunities through company sponsored leadership development courses and trainings

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

All offers of employment are expressly contingent upon the satisfactory completion, in accordance with Company policy, of a pre-employment drug screening and background check.