Senior Manager, Third‑Party Risk & Vendor Management

Vanguard•Malvern, PA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Drives continuous improvement of vendor governance and oversight practices, providing independent challenge and recommendations to strengthen vendor performance. Identifies emerging third-party risks, trends and control gaps and provides actionable insights and recommendations to business leadership to support risk informed decision making. Leads the management of vendor relationships of high scope and complexity. Maintains active positive relationships with designated points of contact with key vendors at all levels to escalate, discuss and resolve issues relative to the supply of goods and services. Establishes and maintains vendor relationships, negotiates favorable pricing, and reports on vendor performance. Oversees the comparative evaluations of vendors, both before and after contract negotiations, to ensure that Vanguard obtains the highest value and expected return for its investment in vendor contracts. Consults with internal/external experts to evaluate the financial, operational, and performance reputation of the vendor to ensure that they will make a suitable partner to the organization. Oversees the monitoring of post contract performance of the vendor relative to product or service delivery and performance and may make change recommendations to management. Compiles data and reports for managerial or executive review on aggregate vendor performance. Assists in resolving conflicts and problems that have been referred by others and regularly provides work direction and guidance to less seasoned crew to ensure an effective implementation of Vanguard's short- and long-term vendor management strategies. Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience required; graduate degree preferred.
Minimum of eight years of professional related experience, including at least five years in vendor or third‑party management.
Prior people‑management or supervisory experience preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing high‑risk and/or regulated vendors, including oversight of third parties with direct client impact, financial exposure, operational dependency, or regulatory obligations.
Proven ability to assess and manage vendor risk commensurate with criticality and risk tier.
Extensive experience in strategic supplier relationship management, including leading complex negotiations, establishing performance and risk governance, and mitigating commercial and operational risk across high‑value, regulated financial‑services environments.
Strong escalation and issue‑management experience, including identification, assessment, and remediation of significant vendor failures, control gaps, or performance issues.
Ability to partner with business, risk, legal, and compliance stakeholders to drive timely resolution and reduce residual risk.
Deep understanding of third‑party risk management (TPRM) frameworks and regulatory requirements (including SOX and related controls), ensuring vendor practices meet audit, compliance, and operational‑risk standards.
Proven ability to improve and mature a vendor management program, beyond execution of existing third‑party risk policies.
Experience identifying gaps, strengthening governance, enhancing reporting and metrics, and proactively evolving vendor oversight frameworks to better manage risk and support business outcomes.
Develops and communicates clear vendor strategy, translating business objectives into actionable vendor‑management plans.
Effectively communicates expectations, influences senior stakeholders, and gains alignment across multiple leadership levels.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates ability to influence strategic decisions and drive improvements to vendor governance, risk management and oversight frameworks in complex, regulated environments
Drives continuous improvement of vendor governance and oversight practices, providing independent challenge and recommendations to strengthen vendor performance
Identifies emerging third-party risks, trends and control gaps and provides actionable insights and recommendations to business leadership to support risk informed decision making
Hires, evaluates, and supervises crew. Provides guidance and training as necessary to develop crew. Sets performance standards, reviews performance, and makes informed compensation decisions in accordance with all applicable Human Resources policies and procedures.
Leads the management of vendor relationships of high scope and complexity.
Maintains active positive relationships with designated points of contact with key vendors at all levels to escalate, discuss and resolve issues relative to the supply of goods and services.
Establishes and maintains vendor relationships, negotiates favorable pricing, and reports on vendor performance.
Oversees the comparative evaluations of vendors, both before and after contract negotiations, to ensure that Vanguard obtains the highest value and expected return for its investment in vendor contracts.
Consults with internal/external experts to evaluate the financial, operational, and performance reputation of the vendor to ensure that they will make a suitable partner to the organization.
Oversees the monitoring of post contract performance of the vendor relative to product or service delivery and performance and may make change recommendations to management.
Compiles data and reports for managerial or executive review on aggregate vendor performance.
Assists in resolving conflicts and problems that have been referred by others and regularly provides work direction and guidance to less seasoned crew to ensure an effective implementation of Vanguard's short- and long-term vendor management strategies.
Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.