AO Foundation is looking for an IT Vendor Management Specialist to strategically manage all external IT partners, service providers, and technology vendors. In this role, you will ensure vendor services meet expectations in quality, security, cost efficiency, compliance, and performance, collaborating closely with various IT teams and business stakeholders at our global headquarters.

What You'll Do

Develop, implement, and continuously improve the AO’s vendor management framework, including policies, governance, and lifecycle management.
Drive vendor consolidation and transition vendor delivery methods from staff augmentation to a managed work approach.
Lead the full vendor lifecycle in collaboration with internal stakeholders: sourcing, evaluation, onboarding, contracting, performance management, renewal, and offboarding.
Ensure compliance with AO information security and regulatory requirements, including periodic vendor audits and assessments.
Lead Microsoft capability within IT.
Oversee contract negotiations in cooperation with procurement to secure cost-effective and high-quality services.
Manage vendor-related budgeting, financial forecasting, spend tracking, and cost optimization.
Ensure alignment of all contracts with AO legal, procurement, and compliance requirements.
Define service levels, KPIs, OLAs, and performance measures for all external providers.
Conduct structured performance reviews with vendors, including escalations and corrective action plans.
Ensure transparency of service quality through standardized reporting and dashboards.
Ensure all vendors adhere to AO’s Information Security Policy, IAM requirements, data protection standards, and incident response expectations.
Work with the IT Security Manager to manage vendor-related risk assessments, security audits, and continuous improvement measures.
Maintain a vendor risk register and ensure mitigation actions are implemented.
Act as the primary strategic contact for all key IT vendors and service providers.
Ensure transparent and structured communication between vendors and AO stakeholders.
Facilitate business stakeholder engagement for vendor strategy, performance, and service improvements.
Provide regular performance, financial, and risk reporting to IT Leadership and relevant governance bodies.
Ensure documentation, contracts, vendor records, and audit materials are maintained and up to date.
Contribute to AO IT strategic planning through insights into vendor capabilities, risks, and market developments.

What We're Looking For

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum 4 years of experience in IT vendor management.
Proven experience managing complex vendor ecosystems, including cloud, managed services, workplace, and infrastructure providers.
Experience in audit-driven environments and security-sensitive operational contexts.
Fluency in English (written and spoken).
Required time in Davos AO Headquarter, minimum 3 full working days.
Strong expertise in IT vendor management, IT contract negotiation, and commercial governance.
Excellent knowledge of IT service management frameworks (ITIL), SLA models, and performance management.
Solid understanding of IT security, IAM, compliance standards, and risk management.
Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex operational and commercial data.
Ability to manage multi-vendor environments and resolve escalations in a structured and collaborative manner.

Nice to Have

Additional training in negotiation, contract law, or financial management is an advantage.
German language skills are a strong asset.
Experience with Microsoft license models (Azure, MS365).

Team & Environment

You will collaborate closely with Procurement, Security, IT Architecture, Infrastructure, IT Business Applications, Service Desk, and key business stakeholders.