Sr. Vendor & Tech Optimization Manager-0814

The Sr Manger, Vendor and Tech Optimization will report to the Sr. Director, Vendor and Tech Optimization, which supports the Service Delivery departments. This role is responsible for partnering with internal stakeholders to work as a key driver of vendor performance, operational efficiency and tech enablement. This role demands exceptional relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, align and partner alternatives.

Vendor Relationship & Performance Management

• Serve as the primary relationship owner for assigned vendors, acting as a trusted partner and escalation point.
• Lead governance routines, QBRs, and joint improvement initiatives to drive SLA, KPI, and compliance performance.
• Build and maintain trust-based relationships with vendor leadership to foster transparency, accountability, and innovation.
• Partner with procurement and legal teams to manage contracts, renewals, negotiations, and scope expansions.
• Gain understanding of business needs as it relates to vendor interaction

Cross Functional Collaboration & Influence

• Engage closely with internal business leaders, operations, IT, and analytics teams to ensure vendor and technology solutions meet evolving business needs.
• Act as a bridge between the vendors and internal stakeholders, translating business goals into executable vendor deliverables.
• Facilitate alignments across multiple departments to support seamless delivery and shared ownership of results
• Navigate competing priorities and drive consensus to keep initiatives on track

Technology & Enablement

• Assess the current technology stack for efficiency and recommend enhancements, automation and AI-driven solutions.
• Drive adoption and integration of new tools and processes as a partner to internal process teams, ensuring stakeholder engagement and change readiness
• Build data-driven business cases for technology investments with clear ROI and operational impact.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

. 5+ years of experience in relationship management with an operations and/or account management background.

. Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Data Sciences, Communications, or related field.

. Hands-on experience managing strategic vendor relationships and fostering high value partnerships.

. Demonstrated experience delivering operational and technology improvements with measurable ROI

. Excellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder influence skills

. Experience in healthcare of retirement planning industry a plus.

. Familiarity with MS Office applications, basic data analysis and quality tools

Skills & Abilities:

. Proactive, analytical, and problem-solving approach, able to propose resolutions and/or remediation to inefficient processes

. Proven ability to self-prioritize, multi-task, and complete assignments within specified timelines

. Possess excellent collaboration and communication skills, with both internal and external teams

. Detail-oriented, organized, and dependable

. Implement critical thinking and problem-solving

. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Visio, Miro, LucidChart, Word, Outlook and web-based tools such as Salesforce etc.

. Masterful relationship builder-able to balance empathy, influence and accountability with diverse stakeholders

. Strategic thinker with an operational bias for action.

. Skilled in conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving

. Data-driven decision making with a continuous improvement mindset.

. Knowledge of process improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, Agile) preferred

Req Benefits:

Compensation: $87,000-$110,000 per year
Additional Details :

Take the next step in your journey at Inspira Financial. You will help businesses and individuals thrive today, tomorrow, and into retirement. Become part of a company that is people centric and client obsessed in every interaction; a community of forward-thinking individuals focused on driving results to deliver our mission with an unwavering commitment to integrity. Join us as we strengthen and simplify the health and wealth journey - relentlessly pursuing better outcomes for all. We believe in finding the best talent! While some roles are based at one of our office locations, remote roles can sit in any of the following states: AL, AZ, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA and WV. Remote status and role locations are subject to change. Relocation is not provided.

Employees within a 90-minute radius of our Oak Brook, IL headquarters are required to adhere to the company in-office work guidelines of 4 days per month minimum from 10 am to 2 pm (1 of the 4 days must be a Monday or Friday).

This requirement does not apply to support specialist positions.

Don't meet every single requirement? Here at Inspira Financial, we believe there is no "perfect" candidate and want to encourage applying even if all the requirements listed aren't met. Our goal is to build an authentic workplace by valuing diversity in our candidates. We work to ensure that our team reflects the diversity of the businesses and clients we serve. We are always looking to expand our growing team with dynamic and enthusiastic individuals. If you enjoy a collaborative, fun environment that champions career development, Inspira Financial is the place for you! We look forward to receiving your application! Check out this Inspira Financial video to learn more about our company!

Inspira Financial provides health, wealth, retirement, and benefits solutions that strengthen and simplify the health and wealth journey. With more than 7 million clients, representing over $62 billion in assets, Inspira works with thousands of employers, plan sponsors, recordkeepers, TPAs, and other institutional partners - helping the people they care about plan, save, and invest for a brighter future. Inspira relentlessly pursues better outcomes for all with our automatic rollover services, health savings accounts, emergency savings funds, custody services, and more. Learn more at inspirafinancial.com.

We have been recognized for our remarkable growth on lists such as Crain's Fast 50 and Inc. 5000, and for our outstanding workplace culture and benefits with Built In's 2025 Best Places to Work and Gallagher's 2022 Best-In-Class Employer awards.