Senior Program Manager - IT Technology Vendor Management

Key Responsibilities 

• Through strong partnerships with internal stakeholders – including sourcing, IT, architecture, finance, legal and business teams – ensures vendor relationships contribute measurable results to PG&E performance objectives 
• Partner with Operations, Architecture, IT Leadership, and other stakeholders to align and document vendor capabilities 
• Develop and deliver innovative commercial models that contributes to the CIO financial savings target 
• Establish and enhance Tier-1 and Tier-2 strategic supplier relationships, engage with suppliers and their leadership regularly 
• Conduct periodic supplier reviews to discuss performance, document product roadmaps and business needs. 
• Seek out disruptive technologies, establish relationships, discover opportunities to POC and partner with IT stakeholders to rationalize the existing technology footprint.
• Leverage internal and external data to provide insights and recommendations that enhance supplier performance and operational efficiency 
• Translate technology requirements into vendor-specific solutions that integrate with multi-year capital and expense investment plans. 
• Manage the full lifecycle of vendor relationships, including onboarding, governance, performance reviews, and contract compliance. 
• As a senior individual contributor within the Vendor Management function, this role ensures suppliers deliver consistently against contractual commitment, service level agreements, and compliance requirements while driving operational excellence and innovation 
• Proactively identify and resolve operational challenges, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives 
• Develop quantitative analysis and reporting on supplier performance by tracking and reporting performance using KPIs and SLAs, driving accountability, and continuous improvement. 
• Collaborate with the Sourcing department to develop negotiation strategies, optimize costs, and ensure favorable contract terms. 
• Provide strategic insight and recommendations to executives while also engaging at a detailed level with technical and operational contributors. 
• Identify risks, opportunities, and innovations within the vendor portfolio to strengthen business outcomes. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders—including Operations, Architecture, and IT Leadership—to develop vendor-related technology strategies and requirements. 
• Manage vendor relationships across the lifecycle, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technology roadmap 
• Engage as required in market analysis, trending, value assessment, and business requirements for alternative approach strategies 
• Conduct Total Cost of Ownership analysis for vendor relationships, evaluating both direct and indirect costs to inform decision-making and optimize cost efficiency. 
• Financial: understanding of vendor-driven spend forecasts segmented into Capital and Expense. Ability to present forecasts to Finance and IT Leadership.
• Ensure technology investments are integrated with capital and operating expense plans while supporting enterprise strategy and priorities. 
• Represent vendor strategy at both executive and operational levels, adapting communication style to engage with senior leaders and individual contributors. 
• Proactively identify risks, opportunities, and innovation potential within the vendor ecosystem. 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). 
• 8+ years of progressive experience in IT vendor management, sourcing, or technology strategy. 
• Skilled in project management, time management, and reporting to executives.
• Vendor Management: Expertise in managing and optimizing relationships with Tier-1 suppliers 

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop supplier strategies that align with PG&E objectives and enhance supplier relations 
• Project Management: Proficiency in managing large scale projects, including implementation of new technologies and process improvements 
• Cost Optimization: Partner with Sourcing to identify levers to secure favorable terms and manage supplier contract costs effectively 
• Leadership: Proven ability to provide guidance and leadership to peers and teams, fostering best practices in vendor management 
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while contributing to broader team goals 
• Strong understanding of IT contracts, vendor governance, and technology lifecycle management. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex vendor relationships and restructuring contractual relationships to enhance value.
• Proven success in partnering with cross-functional teams to align vendor solutions with business and technology strategy. 
• Strong experience in business case development and financial acumen with experience in cost optimization and contract strategy. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence executives and collaborate effectively with technical teams and individual contributors. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment. 
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure, applications, cloud services, and emerging technologies is highly desirable. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline. 
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supplier Management (CPSM), Certified Technology Procurement Professional (CTPP), or ITIL certification. 
• Experience managing vendors within large, complex enterprises and multi-year investment planning cycles. 
• Experience with ERP, vendor management or procurement tools (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa, ServiceNow, GEP). 
• Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, and risk management considerations in IT vendor contracts. 

Strong track record of driving innovation and value creation through vendor partnerships.