The Vendor Management Director is responsible for establishing and leading the enterprise vendor management function for the Medicare Advantage health plan. This role provides strategic oversight for the organization's portfolio of vendors, delegated entities, and business partners, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, regulatory requirements, operational performance expectations, and financial targets.

The Director develops and executes vendor governance strategies, performance management frameworks, risk oversight programs, and partnership models that support organizational growth, operational excellence, member satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. This leader serves as a key partner to executive leadership and is accountable for maximizing value across vendor relationships while mitigating operational, compliance, financial, and reputational risks.
The role oversees strategic vendors and delegated entities that support core Medicare Advantage functions including claims administration, pharmacy services, care management, utilization management, member services, risk adjustment, quality improvement, provider operations, and technology platforms.

Enterprise Vendor Management Strategy

• Develop and lead the organization's vendor management and strategic partnership strategy.
• Establish enterprise governance frameworks, policies, standards, and oversight processes.
• Build a high-performing vendor management organization that drives accountability, performance, and value realization.
• Create vendor segmentation models and management approaches based on strategic importance and risk.
• Align vendor management activities with organizational goals, growth priorities, and operational objectives.

Strategic Partnership Leadership

• Serve as elationship owner for critical vendors and strategic partners.
• Develop relationships with vendor leadership teams.
• Lead strategic business reviews and governance meetings.
• Ensure vendor capabilities support organizational priorities and market competitiveness.
• Foster collaborative partnerships that enable innovation and continuous improvement.

Vendor Performance & Operational Excellence

• Establish enterprise KPIs, SLAs, and performance scorecards.
• Monitor vendor performance against contractual obligations, quality standards, and business objectives.
• Drive vendor accountability and corrective action planning where performance gaps exist.
• Lead performance improvement initiatives across vendor relationships.
• Ensure vendors contribute to operational efficiency, service excellence, and member satisfaction.

Delegated Entity & Regulatory Oversight

• Oversee governance and performance management of delegated entities and First Tier, Downstream, and Related Entities (FDRs).
• Ensure vendor oversight programs comply with CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D regulations.
• Partner with Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, and Internal Audit teams to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Lead vendor-related audit preparation, remediation efforts, and corrective action plans.
• Ensure adequate controls exist for delegated oversight, monitoring, and reporting activities.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Establish and oversee enterprise vendor risk management programs.
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, compliance, cybersecurity, privacy, and reputational risks.
• Ensure appropriate due diligence and ongoing risk assessments are conducted.
• Monitor business continuity, disaster recovery, information security, and data privacy requirements.
• Escalate significant risks and mitigation plans to executive leadership.

Financial & Contract Management

• Oversee vendor financial performance and contract governance.
• Partner with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and operational leaders on vendor selection and negotiations.
• Lead negotiation of strategic agreements, renewals, and amendments.
• Drive cost optimization, value realization, and return-on-investment initiatives.
• Manage vendor budgets and support enterprise savings opportunities.

Growth, Transformation & Strategic Initiatives

• Support enterprise growth initiatives including market expansion, acquisitions, and new product launches.
• Ensure vendors are prepared to support organizational scaling and transformation efforts.
• Lead vendor participation in strategic technology implementations and operational improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging vendor capabilities and innovative solutions that enhance organizational performance.
• Serve as a key stakeholder in enterprise transformation programs.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Influence enterprise decision-making related to vendor services and capabilities.
• Build alignment among business leaders regarding vendor priorities and performance expectations.

Executive Reporting & Governance

• Develop executive dashboards and vendor performance reporting.
• Present strategic vendor updates, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Lead executive governance forums focused on vendor oversight and performance.
• Provide strategic recommendations to improve organizational effectiveness through vendor partnerships.
• Support Board-level reporting as needed.

Job Requirements:

Experience:

Required:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in vendor management, healthcare operations, strategic partnerships, procurement, consulting, or operational excellence.
• 5+ years in a leadership role managing teams and enterprise-level vendor relationships.

Education:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Supply Chain, Public Health, or related field.

Specialized Skills:

Required:

• Demonstrated experience developing and leading vendor governance programs.
• Strong understanding of healthcare operations and managed care business models.
• Proven track record of leading complex negotiations and strategic partnerships.
• Experience influencing executive-level stakeholders and driving organizational change.
• Strong financial, operational, and strategic business acumen.

Pay Range: $130,332.00 - $195,498.00
Pay range may be based on a number of factors including market location, education, responsibilities, experience, etc.