Strategic Vendor Manager

What's the role?

We're looking for a commercially astute and relationship-driven Strategic Vendor Manager to lead the post-execution governance and operational performance of key technology vendors and service partners, including a large, broad-spanning outsourced managed services agreement.

This is a pivotal role for someone who can balance service quality, commercial outcomes, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. Working in partnership with our established Procurement function, you'll be the key point of accountability for ongoing vendor performance, contractual compliance, service improvement, and ensuring strategic suppliers remain aligned to business objectives once agreements are in place.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic management and operational delivery of key IT suppliers and outsourced managed services partners, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, service levels, budgets, and business expectations within a SIAM model.
• Build strong relationships with external vendor leadership and internal cross-functional teams (technology, procurement, finance, legal, risk), managing post-contract commercial activities such as cost validation, invoicing, contract variations, renewals, and onboarding or exit activities.
• Lead executive performance reviews, monitor SLAs and KPIs, manage contract documentation and governance dashboards, and provide leadership with actionable insights on vendor strategy, performance trends, commercial opportunities, and risk exposure.
• Identify, escalate, and resolve vendor-related risks, disputes, and service failures while ensuring suppliers comply with cyber security, privacy, regulatory, business continuity, and audit standards.
• Drive service improvement initiatives and remediation plans, holding vendors accountable for ongoing delivery outcomes and operational quality.
• Partner with internal legal and procurement teams, taking the lead on vendor integration, transition planning, and operational readiness for new or modified services once agreements are established.

Who are you?

• You bring demonstrated experience in operational IT vendor, supplier, or ongoing contract management, with proven success managing complex, high-value outsourced agreements after they have been established.
• You have a strong understanding of IT service management principles, performance-based governance (including ITIL/COBIT frameworks), SLAs, and KPIs, allowing you to deliver clear analytical reporting and actionable recommendations to leadership.
• You possess broad commercial acumen and sharp problem-solving skills to manage contract interpretation, cost management, ongoing disputes, risk mitigation, and issue escalations effectively.
• You are a confident communicator and collaborative team player who can engage effectively across multi-disciplinary groups (technology, legal, finance, risk, procurement) and build influence with both operational and executive stakeholders.
• You're a proactive, outcome-focused professional with sound judgment, resilience, and a drive for continuous service improvement, ideally holding relevant qualifications in business, technology, vendor management, or contract management.
• While some procurement experience is highly regarded, we are seeking candidates from an IT background that has experience managing IT vendors and their agreements on an on-going basis once the agreement has been signed.

Why News Corp Australia

Join a culture where innovation is our operating rhythm. You'll work on a diverse portfolio of Australia's most loved brands and play a pivotal role in leading the technological shift in how we create commercial content. Our vibrant, hybrid work environment and dynamic, values-driven culture empowers you to push boundaries, collaborate as one unified team, and make a positive, measurable impact for all Australians.

News Extras Benefits is a commitment to our people for their valued contribution to News, our audiences, clients and communities.

Our benefits include

• Exclusively ours - Access to publications and products from across the News Corp family
• Perks & discounts - Exclusive offers across a range of products and services that deliver genuine cost savings and benefits
• Health & wellbeing - Advice, support and facilities for healthy minds and bodies (including an onsite gym at our Adelaide, Brisbane & Sydney offices)
• Time off - News offers a range of leave options to support your personal needs and moments that matter in life: Parental leave, Birthday leave, Volunteer leave, Career break and Compassionate leave.
• Financial wellbeing - Support on making the most of your money

In addition to our perks and benefits, employees have access to a number of initiatives and programs that support their wellbeing and professional growth, such as:

• Helping you grow - Access tailored development opportunities, including leadership programs, to cultivate your skills and support your career
• Giving back - Make a difference to our communities through volunteer opportunities and company-organised charity drives
• Workplace Inclusion and facilities - Engage with your passions through various employee-resource groups and accessibility to multi-faith quiet rooms & parents' rooms

Who are we?

News Corp Australia is the nation's most influential media organisation, operating more than 150 household-name brands across print, digital and multimedia. We lead the way in travel, fashion, food, health, homes and lifestyle, and we are the largest publisher across print and digital, reaching more than 16 million Australians each month.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity strengthens our national teams and newsroom as we seek to tell stories that represent the communities of Australia. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply!

• We are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process.
• If you require any adjustments or accommodations at any stage, please do not hesitate to let us know here.
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Category: Technology, Digital and Data