IT Vendor Management / Relations

IT Vendor Management / Relations

As the IT Vendor Relations Manager at APS, this role ensures that the technology partners supporting our business deliver reliable, high‑quality services that help keep power flowing to the communities we serve. By acting as the bridge between internal teams and IT vendors, this role helps APS get the most value from its technology investments, reduces service disruptions, and supports a dependable, modern energy grid that Arizona communities count on every day.

What Your Day Would Be Like:

• Build strong, trusted relationships with IT vendors while serving as a go‑to partner for internal business teams
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align vendor services with business needs and resolve service gaps
• Lead vendor conversations around performance, expectations, and issue resolution
• Partner with Supply Chain and procurement to support contract management and vendor engagements
• Navigate complex, multi‑stakeholder challenges to deliver solutions that balance business goals and contractual commitments

Who We’re Looking For:

• Experience managing IT vendor relationships, including SaaS, PaaS, or other cloud‑based services
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work across business units and external partners
• Comfort leading conversations around performance, accountability, and service expectations
• Problem‑solving mindset with the ability to resolve complex issues involving multiple stakeholders
• A strategic, relationship‑focused professional who values clear communication and follow‑through

IT Vendor Management / Relations

• Bachelor's degree in business, information systems administration or related field
• PLUS 8 years' experience managing vendor and supplier relationships in the area of licensing, software (especially vendor relationships involving SaaS, PaaS and other cloud type software services), IT application, development and maintenance services, or related experience.
• Prior experience working with and negotiating with suppliers and strategic vendor initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with key suppliers and liaise between vendor and internal organizations to resolve conflicts.
• Demonstrated ability to track and negotiate contract requirements including Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Ability to lead using informal authority to driver organizational objectives.

Preferred Specialist Skills and Knowledge

• Full knowledge and experience with IT vendor relationship management as a discipline
• Ability to maintain composure in critical negotiations, communicating effectively with both internal and external clients.
• Perform advanced business and financial analysis of vendor engagements.
• Build strong relationships with key vendors and the internal IT organization to ensure delivery of IT services.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems; Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of overall vendor relationships across the IT organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead using informal authority and personal influence to drive organizational objectives.