JOB SUMMARY:

This role partners with Universal Parks Technology and Digital Marketing groups, Universal Parks Business groups, NBCU resources, and third-party vendors, to ensure third-party vendors are delivering maximum value. The Manager will work with leaders within the business and technology organizations to identify and execute value and sourcing opportunities using key vendor relationships and make sure appropriate checkpoints are followed to ensure quality of deliverables and adherence to governance processes. This role will also be responsible for varying aspects of vendor management, in liaison with UPR Sourcing, to include reviewing SOW’s, conducting and evaluating RFP’s, vendor evaluations, and monitoring progress through implementations.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborates with Universal Parks IT and related UPR Business Units to optimize strategic sourcing efforts, TCO analysis and develop specific negotiation and pricing strategies for new and existing vendors. Drive overall savings goal for technology category.
• Identifies long term sourcing strategy for technology and related commodity groups that can be used globally and nationwide. Also identifies critical long term issues that could affect the planning and decision-making process.
• Prepare and execute RFP/RFI in conjunction with internal business partners in the area of technology and related commodity groups.
• Direct and lead the vendor management strategy for Universal Parks Technology and Digital Marketing, ensuring that vendors are delivering maximum value through their contracted obligations. Communicate and escalate key trends in execution by suppliers.
• Direct and lead the technology vendor management office (VMO), which is tasked with identifying and executing value opportunities with key vendor relationships and recommend opportunities to streamline.
• Provide stakeholders including UPT, Digital Marketing, Procurement, Legal, and Finance with the appropriate and timely reporting, information, and knowledge on vendor performance in areas that include quality, capacity, systems, services, and responsiveness. Foster analytics-driven decisions based on this data.
• Ensure the vendor management office (VMO) is mitigating, monitoring and managing vendor risks including financial viability, business continuity, corporate, and regulatory compliance through periodic meeting with key stakeholders and suppliers
• Assess and report on the risk level of vendors based on financial, skills, tools, and the use of third-parties.
• Develop and maintain an effective relationship with senior leadership within Parks and NBCU to ensure they have vendor performance at hand to be successful in what they do.
• Assist UPT managers\leaders and Universal Parks Procurement with vendor evaluation and selection criteria when negotiating with vendors to optimize the procurement of cost-effective acquisitions.
• Manage relationships with vendors for cost-effectiveness, build a vendor repository to ensure effective contract management and vendor relationships, and plan for major software upgrades, ensuring that change management procedures/methodologies are used.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university required in Business Administration or Computer Science.
• Master’s degree preferred

EXPERIENCE:

• 5-10 years of experience working in a business environment, preferably in IT with at least 5 years in a role that includes defining strategy, implementing new processes, project management, vendor and contract management
• Extensive knowledge of IT concepts and terminology
• Proven Extensive experience working on vendor relations, contract management, and contract negotiations, business protocol compliance
• Experience with IT principles and procedures in the management of complex technical projects related to the procurement and governance cycles
• Knowledge and experience working with applicable data security, privacy practices and applicable laws
• Experience working in matrix structure

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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