Associate Director, Global Vendor Management & Travel

This role will oversee the Firm’s vendor management function, which consists of 6-9 vendor management professionals and will collaborate closely with an internal IT Department vendor management function and the Office of the General Counsel. The vendor management function currently facilitates Firm third-party vendor strategic sourcing, contract administration, purchasing and supplier relationship management initiatives. This role will lead initiatives to enhance policies, controllership and capabilities within the vendor management function. In addition, this role will oversee the outsourced travel management company and group hotel bookings.

This role will be a key point of contact between the Firm's leadership team, business services stakeholders, the vendor management team and the travel management team, reporting directly to the Director of Business Operations.

Responsibilities

Procurement & Vendor Management Strategy

• Design and implement a firm-wide procurement program, unifying purchasing activities across business functions, and third party resources

• Collaborate internally and with third party resources to develop standardized procurement processes and policies (intake, sourcing, contracting, renewals, and vendor management) to improve visibility and efficiency across the Firm

• Drive the Firmwide communication and rollout of procurement, travel policies and procedures and ensure effective policy enforcement

• Execute vendor management strategies and special projects aligned with Firm leadership priorities

• Promote vendor management goals and initiatives to Firm leadership and key stakeholders

Contracting, Negotiation, & Vendor Relationships

• Lead contract management, sourcing, financial negotiations, and ongoing relationship management with vendors

• Own vendor contracting activities across sourcing, intake, contracting, renewals, and performance management

• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance or expand the scope of vendor services

Travel Program & Group Hotel Contracting

• Oversee the Firm’s travel program, including management of the outsourced travel management company

• Lead contracting with hotels for Firm-sponsored events and group bookings

• Coordinate group hotel bookings with the travel management team and internal stakeholders, including event sponsors and the Client Development and Engagement team

• Ensure seamless execution, cost efficiency, and alignment with Firm travel and event policies

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a key point of contact between Firm leadership, the Office of the General Counsel, IT, Client Development and Engagement, Finance, Real Estate, Knowledge & Innovation, Project Management Office, and the outsourced travel management company and other third-party resources

• Collaborate with internal and third-party resources to develop standardized procurement and vendor management processes, improving visibility, efficiency, and consistency across the Firm

• Build strong working relationships and act as a liaison to identify, address, and resolve operational and change management challenges

Process Improvement, Technology, & Change Management

• Proactively evaluate procurement and vendor management technologies to drive process improvements, efficiency gains, and scalability

• Drive change management and stakeholder adoption of new procurement processes through clear communication, training, and implementation support

• Build a scalable operating model that evolves with the Firm’s growth and changing technology landscape

Performance Management & Governance

• Oversee development and implementation of measurement tools and reporting to track vendor performance, outcomes, and efficiency

• Ensure outsourced provider service delivery meets Firm standards and contractual obligations

• Oversee the vendor management team to ensure effective service delivery and operational excellence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university required in Supply Chain, Business, Economics, Management, or related field

• Masters degree preferred

• 7+ years of management experience

• 10+ years of procurement / vendor management experience

• Experience working with outsourced support staff

• Strong interpersonal, leadership and communication skills

• Demonstrated project management and change management skills

Required Skills

• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize in a multi-tasking environment

• Expertise in vendor contract management, negotiations, and ongoing relationship management

• Flexibility, time management and ability to prioritize tasks and deadlines 

• Critical thinking and solution-oriented mindset 

• Commitment to superior quality and accuracy

• Willingness to learn and adapt to change

• Experience creating and presenting analysis for business decisions

• Strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work effectively with a strong customer service mindset

• Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint

Salary Information

Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

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