Supplier Strategy & Governance Manager (AVP)

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

This role shapes the strategic direction and governance of the organisation’s technology supplier ecosystem. Operating within the OCIO, it ensures that supplier strategies, commercial frameworks, performance measures and relationship structures align with enterprise priorities, risk appetite and technology transformation objectives.

The role provides enterprise‑wide visibility and informed decision support across the supplier landscape, strengthening strategic partnerships, enhancing value, mitigating risk and ensuring the technology portfolio remains commercially effective and operationally resilient.

Business Area

• Reports to: Business Manager (Office of the CIO)
• Supports: IT Service Management Lead (with a dotted‑line reporting relationship)
• Location: London (Hybrid)
• Department: ITSD

Position Description

Vendor Strategy & Ecosystem Design

• Contribute to the development of the enterprise technology sourcing strategy, including considerations for insourcing/outsourcing, cloud adoption, and partner models.
• Support efforts to reduce supplier dependency, prevent lock‑in and strengthen supplier resilience across key technology domains.
• Assist in maintaining supplier segmentation models and defining appropriate engagement and governance approaches for different tiers.

Strategic Procurement Partnership & Contract Governance

• Partner with Procurement and Legal on strategic sourcing events (RFP/RFI), evaluation criteria and supplier selection processes.
• Provide input into contract structures, service schedules and commercial models to ensure alignment with operational and strategic requirements.
• Support negotiations on key terms including pricing models, licensing and exit/transition considerations.
• Contribute to the strategic SLA framework to ensure performance measures remain relevant, enforceable and aligned to enterprise outcomes

Commercial & Financial Governance

• Maintain visibility of supplier spend, consumption trends and cost drivers across the technology supplier landscape.
• Support budget forecasting, cost optimisation reviews and commercial governance activities.
• Collaborate with IT Planning and TPM on rate cards, commercial change requests, renewals and invoice assurance.
• Assist with benchmarking commercial terms and pricing against market data and industry norms.

Performance Governance & Service Assurance

• Support the maintenance of the multi‑supplier performance governance framework and associated standards.
• Help drive supplier improvement initiatives and monitor delivery of agreed roadmaps.
• Provide oversight and escalation insight into service reviews run by Service Management, highlighting systemic risks or recurring themes to the OCIO.
• Monitor trends in SLA performance and post‑incident behaviours to inform strategic decisions.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Help maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers and act as a coordination point for escalations and alignment discussions.
• Support the resolution of issues involving multiple suppliers or complex dependencies.
• Engage with business and technology stakeholders to ensure supplier strategies continue to support evolving needs and investment decisions.

Position Description continued

Risk, Compliance & Security Alignment

• Support risk remediation activities across cybersecurity, resilience, regulatory compliance and continuity requirements.
• Ensure supplier alignment to risk appetite and operational resilience expectations.
• Work with Security, Risk and Legal to maintain required contractual controls and compliance obligations.

Innovation & Value Realisation

• Track key outcomes and value commitments from strategic suppliers to ensure benefits are realised.
• Support collaboration with architecture and delivery teams on supplier‑led innovation or capability enhancements.

Supplier Lifecycle Governance (Strategic Oversight)

• Support onboarding, transitions and exit planning activities to ensure readiness and operational continuity.
• Assist with supplier renewal planning to avoid auto‑renewals or misalignment to strategic direction.
• Provide input into operational acceptance, service readiness and transition governance activities.

Continuous Service Improvement (Strategic Focus)

• Contribute to the definition of improvement objectives and monitor supplier delivery against multi‑year improvement commitments.
• Support maintenance of the supplier improvement backlog and leverage trend insights (e.g., heatmaps, SLA data) to guide decision‑making.

OCIO Level Supplier Governance & Relationship Maturity Development

• Support the development and ongoing enhancement of the OCIO’s supplier governance agenda.
• Provide insight and analysis to inform CIO‑level decision‑making and strengthen supplier relationship and governance maturity.

Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications

Required Experience and Skills

• Experience in vendor management, supplier strategy, commercial governance or related roles.
• Understanding of technology operating models, sourcing approaches and multi‑vendor environments.
• Ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical capability and familiarity with financial governance processes.
• Understanding of technology risk, security considerations, operational resilience and regulatory expectations.
• Ability to produce clear strategic reports, analyse trends and communicate insights effectively.

Helpful but Not Essential

• Experience in financial services or another regulated industry.
• Knowledge of SIAM, ITIL or similar service management practices.
• Familiarity with contract structures, service levels and transition considerations.
• Understanding of technology portfolios, service maps or enterprise architecture concepts.

Competencies

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working 
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance 
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services  
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities 
• Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!