Research & Data Vendor Manager

Overview Growing $4.5B hedge fund is seeking a Research & Data Vendor Manager to take ownership of its comprehensive vendor management program. This role will serve as the central point of contact for all research and data vendor relationships, managing the complete vendor lifecycle from initial requests through contract negotiation, implementation, and ongoing relationship management. This is a newly created role that will report directly to the General Counsel & CCO and will work closely with the investment team, legal and compliance department, accounting and senior leadership. This role is onsite 5 days a week in Manhattan Key Responsibilities Serve as primary liaison between analyst team and external research/data vendors Receive, evaluate, and prioritize vendor requests from investment professionals Coordinate and schedule product demonstrations and vendor presentations Maintain comprehensive database of current and prospective vendors Develop and maintain strong relationships with key vendor account managers Evaluate vendor capabilities against firm requirements and investment strategy needs Coordinate compliance evaluations and data quality assessments Lead contract negotiations for research and data subscriptions Negotiate favorable pricing, terms, and service level agreements Work closely with Legal team on contract reviews and risk assessment Manage contract amendments, renewals, and terminations Develop and manage annual vendor budget forecasts Monitor vendor spending against budget and provide regular reporting to COO and Director of Research Identify cost optimization opportunities and implement cost-saving initiatives Coordinate with Accounting team on vendor invoicing, payments, and budget tracking Prepare monthly and quarterly vendor spend reports and analysis Manage vendor renewal calendar and proactively plan for contract renewals Coordinate vendor implementations and ensure smooth onboarding processes Monitor vendor performance and service delivery against SLAs Handle vendor-related issues and escalations Maintain vendor documentation and ensure proper record keeping Education & Experience 3+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or operations in a financial services business (preferably hedge funds or asset management) or in a service provider/vendor servicing the hedge fund industry Advanced Excel skills Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities Outstanding written and verbal communication skills Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously High attention to detail and accuracy Strong business acumen and cost-consciousness Preferred Qualifications Previous experience with sell side and buy side research Proficiency in contract negotiation and vendor management best practices Experience with alternative data vendors and emerging data sources Experience with vendor management platforms and technology solutions Knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting vendor relationships Compensation: $110-120K+ base plus discretionary bonus and excellent benefits #J-18808-Ljbffr Career Group Search