Director MSP Service Delivery

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers. Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025. We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more. For over 37 years, National Academy of Sports Medicine® (NASM®) has set the standard in fitness and wellness credentials and certification with best-in-class, evidence-based programming. An Ascend Learning brand, NASM has delivered over 1.4 million fitness professionals in over 100 countries. From personal training to nutrition coaching, wellness to sports performance, NASM trainers and specialists work at every level to help clients set and reach their unique goals. Join us in igniting potential and making a lasting impact in the fitness and wellness industry.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

NASM is seeking a Director MSP Service Delivery reporting to the Chief Information Officer. This senior leadership role owns the operational and commercial relationship between NASM and its Managed Service Provider (MSP) partners, strategic SaaS vendors, and software ecosystem. This role holds partners accountable to outcomes, SLAs and is the function that, more than any other, determines whether the MSP delivery model succeeds. This role leads a team of Service Delivery Managers, each accountable for a specific business aligned Service Delivery team, the MSP partner(s), vendors and an Operational Analyst responsible for cost transparency, license management, and operational metrics and dashboards. The team is the daily counterparty to MSP delivery leadership, running operational reviews, actively participating in daily scrums, sprint planning, managing SLA performance, escalating when needed, ensuring that operational runbooks and processes are maintained, and tracks financial performance against contract. This role partners with business stakeholders across Operations, Sales & Marketing, Commerce, Finance, and Product to translate business priorities into a coherent technology roadmap, ensuring every initiative is anchored in a measurable business outcome before work is handed to delivery partners. The function of the Technical Product Manager is accountable for the quality of requirements provided to our delivery teams. The single biggest determinant of delivery quality, velocity, and cost. The role champions a modern product mindset, an AI-first approach to business enablement, and a culture in which Technical Product Owners deeply understand the business processes they support. Beyond MSP governance, this role owns NASM's strategic vendor relationships across Adobe, Microsoft, Snowflake, HubSpot, Wrike, and other key SaaS and software partners, ensuring NASM extracts maximum value from every commercial relationship. The Director establishes the operational governance, contract performance, and continuous improvement disciplines that allow NASM's technology operating model to scale with the business, including supporting international expansion and new market entry.

WHERE YOU'LL WORK

This position will work hybrid from our Gilbert, AZ office. Will consider remote work for the right candidate.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Lead and develop the Service Delivery & Vendor Governance team, including Service Delivery Managers for each MSP partner and an Operational Analyst. Own NASM's relationship with strategic MSP partners, holding partners accountable to outcomes, enhancement delivery, project assignments, service levels, operational health, runbooks and contractual commitments. Establish service level frameworks, operational governance cadences, and escalation protocols across all MSP and strategic vendor relationships. Manage strategic SaaS and software vendor relationships including Adobe, Microsoft, Snowflake, HubSpot, and other key partners. Govern contract performance and commercial terms; lead renewals, SOW execution, and commercial negotiations in partnership with Procurement and Legal. Establish cost transparency, showback/chargeback, and technology business management practices that give business leaders visibility into IT spend and value. Drive software license optimization and asset management across the enterprise. Establish operational dashboards and metrics covering MSP performance, SLA attainment, incident management, cost performance, and risk. Lead executive-level service reviews with MSP partners and internal stakeholders on a recurring cadence. Drive continuous improvement in MSP service quality, velocity, and unit economics; champion a culture of accountability and outcomes. Partner with the Manager of Business Partnership, Principal Architect, and Director of Data & AI to ensure MSP delivery meets product, architecture, and data standards. Manage vendor risk, including security, compliance, business continuity, and concentration risk.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Bachelor's degree in business, technology, or related field required; MBA or relevant graduate degree preferred. 10+ years of experience in IT service delivery, vendor management, sourcing, or commercial technology operations; 4+ years of people management. Direct, hands-on experience managing MSP or outsourced delivery partner relationships at an enterprise scale. Deep familiarity with ITIL service management practices; ITIL Foundation or higher certification preferred. Experience with Technology Business Management (TBM), IT financial management, and tools such as Apptio. Strong contract negotiation experience including MSA, SOW, and SaaS enterprise agreements. Financial acumen — able to manage multi-million-dollar IT operating budgets and articulate value to executive stakeholders. Familiarity with major SaaS and software ecosystems (Adobe, Microsoft, Snowflake, HubSpot, ServiceNow, AWS, Azure). Experience standing up or evolving an MSP delivery model preferred. Vendor risk management experience, including security and compliance reviews. Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders both inside the company and with external partners. A change agent that delivers operational excellence and commercial discipline.

HIRING RANGE

The current full-time, annualized base pay hiring range for this role is $165,500.00-$236,610.00. In accordance with applicable state laws, we are providing the expected pay range for this position. Individual compensation will be determined by various factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, current business needs and local market factors. Most regular, full-time employees are eligible to participate in an Ascend incentive bonus or sales plan.

BENEFITS

Health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Paid time off and parental leave Employee assistance program Other wellness programs such as Headspace and Airvet Charitable matching program Fostering A Sense of Belonging Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging. Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. #J-18808-Ljbffr Ascend Learning