Director of Vendor Management & Financial Operations

Position Summary

Southland is seeking a Director of Vendor Management & Financial Operations to establish, lead, and mature Technology & Innovation’s Vendor Management Office (VMO) and Financial Management capabilities. 

Reporting to the VP, Head of the Office of the CIO (OCIO), this leader will build the operating model, governance framework, vendor strategy, financial planning processes, and performance management capabilities required to effectively manage Technology & Innovation’s external partners and technology investments. 

This role will ensure vendors are strategically aligned, financially accountable, and consistently delivering business value while providing executive visibility into technology spend, vendor performance, investment planning, and financial health. 

As Southland continues to grow through modernization and acquisitions, this leader will establish scalable vendor and financial management capabilities that improve decision-making, optimize technology investments, and simplify financial operations. 

Position Details

Build & Lead the Vendor Management & Financial Management Function 

• Establish the vision, strategy, operating model, governance structure, and service offerings for the VMO and Financial Management function. 
• Build and lead a high-performing team responsible for vendor management, financial planning, purchasing, financial operations, and investment planning. 
• Define organizational structure, roles, responsibilities, workforce plans, and operating metrics. 
• Develop annual operating plans, budgets, and financial governance practices. 
• Serve as the executive advisor for vendor strategy, financial governance, and technology investment management. 
• Partner closely with Portfolio Governance & Delivery and Change Management & Orchestration to deliver integrated OCIO services. 

Vendor Governance & Performance 

• Develop Technology & Innovation’s vendor strategy and governance framework. 
• Establish and manage the vendor lifecycle, including onboarding, performance management, contract governance, renewals, true-ups, offboarding, and executive business reviews. 
• Partner with technology domain leaders to develop sourcing strategies, define commercial requirements, and prepare for contract negotiations, renewals, and major vendor engagements. 
• Collaborate with Procurement, Legal, and Finance to negotiate, execute, and govern technology contracts while ensuring compliance with commercial terms and organizational policies. 
• Monitor vendor performance, contractual obligations, commercial risks, service levels, driving accountability, issue resolution, and continuous improvement. 
• Identify opportunities to optimize vendor performance, rationalize suppliers, reduce costs, and maximize the business value of Technology & Innovation investments. 

Financial Management & Investment Planning 

• Lead Technology & Innovation budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning. 
• Forecast upcoming contract renewals, true-ups, subscription growth, and other vendor-driven financial commitments to improve budget accuracy.  
• Provide visibility into technology spend, vendor costs, investment allocation, and financial performance. 
• Govern purchasing, purchase orders, invoice processing, payment tracking, and financial operations. 
• Develop portfolio investment planning processes supporting Run, Grow, and Transform investments. 
• Deliver financial insights that improve investment decisions and maximize business value. 

Governance, Reporting & Continuous Improvement 

• Develop executive dashboards for vendor performance, technology spend, investment health, and financial performance. 
• Establish vendor and financial KPIs, reporting standards, and governance metrics. 
• Deliver actionable insights supporting vendor strategy, financial optimization, and executive decision-making. 
• Continuously improve vendor management processes, financial operations, and governance practices. 
• Benchmark industry practices and introduce innovations that strengthen vendor partnerships and financial stewardship. 

Qualifications 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Accounting or related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience. 
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Vendor Management, Technology Financial Management, Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, IT Operations, or related disciplines. 
• Demonstrated experience building or transforming Vendor Management Office (VMO) or technology financial management capabilities within a large complex organization. 
• Experience developing vendor governance frameworks, performance management, programs, financial planning processes, and executive reporting 
• Experience managing strategic technology suppliers across software, cloud, infrastructure, professional services, staffing, and managed services. 
• Experience leading technology budgeting, forecasting, investment planning, and financial governance. 
• Strong executive communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and influencing skills. 
• Proven ability to operate effectively across both strategic and operational responsibilities. 
• Experience managing internal teams, external consultants, contractors, and third-party service providers. 

Preferred:

• Experience supporting large-scale ERP, HCM, CRM, ITSM, cloud, cybersecurity, data, or digital transformation initiatives. 
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and technology integration activities. 
• Experience implementing or managing Technology Business Management (TBM), Apptio, ServiceNow SPM, or similar technology financial management platforms. 
• Experience partnering with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and business leaders to negotiate and govern strategic technology agreements. 
• Knowledge of software licensing, cloud consumption models (AWS, Azure, GCP), SaaS commercial models, and managed service agreements. 
• Professional certifications such as Certified Technology Business Management Executive (CTBME), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), ITIL, Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) or comparable vendor, sourcing, or financial management certifications. 

This is a hybrid role that is available to candidates located near our active Southland locations/sites, including:

• Dulles, VA
• Laurel, MD
• Philadelphia, PA
• Whitehall, PA
• Austin, TX
• Houston, TX
• Carrollton, TX
• Fort Worth, TX
• Corpus Christi, TX
• San Antonio, TX
• Los Angeles/Garden Grove, CA
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Sacramento, CA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Las Vegas, NV
• Saratoga Springs, UT
• Vancouver, WA
• Kennewick, WA
• Redmond, OR

Benefits 

As a 100% employee-owned company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package for you and your family:

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
• Disability income protection insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
• Wellness benefits 

About Southland Industries

As one of the nation’s largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation. If you want to join a fast-paced environment where you’re engaged, challenged, and valued, apply now to join our dynamic team.

To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, follow us on social media, and check out our website.

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Pay: Final pay is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. For Colorado/New York City/California/Washington/Maryland/Virginia/DC this ranges from $200,000.00 - $240,000.00 plus annual incentive, benefits, and retirement program as outlined above. 

Contingent Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.

External Agency Announcement: Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).