IT Supplier Manager

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Date: Oct 23, 2024

Location: London, GB, EC3M 3BD

Company: Aspen Insurance

Since Aspen was founded in 2002, we have become a leading, diversified specialty insurance and reinsurance company. We respond thoughtfully and creatively to find the best outcomes for our clients and business partners through carefully-tailored solutions.

We believe the way we work is just as important as the work we do, and we are guided by our core values of respect, honesty, trust and professionalism.

Aspen is a great place to develop your career offering an exciting and challenging environment where achievement is rewarded.

 

The role:

Enhance and mature the account supplier management for Third Party IT Suppliers, aligning with Service recipients to ensure optimal contractual delivery. Advocate for the service, across both internal and external delivery, holding all parties to account. Be the expert in respect of the contract structure ensuring it keeps pace with the business needs.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and Planning

  • Design and implement best practice supplier management practices i.e. Supplier Relationship Management, Contract Management, Risk Management and Performance Management
  • Work across the IT Team to understand the services and business strategy and the alignment to Third Party relationships
  • Ensure alignment between the business objectives and the contract obligations and deliverables and identify any inconsistency. Work with Procurement to amend contracts
  • Support the business in building Third Party account plans, ensuring optimal delivery of contractual commitments
  • Support Procurement by participating in sourcing exercises, bringing expertise in both the knowledge of the supplier market and the key areas of service delivery – knowing the business’ priorities 

Policy, Process and Procedures

  • Own the Supplier segmentation process, and appropriate refresh activity for IT, ensuring appropriate segmentation in line with service criticality
  • Ensure Aspen has a robust contract management programme aligned to Supplier segmentation which encompasses regulatory and policy requirements for the Service recipient
  • Ensure the business has a set of service levels and KPIs defined which appropriately measure and monitor service delivery; Ensure these are reviewed regularly and  updated as appropriate to drive constant service improvement
  • Own Supplier Commercial Meetings
  • Lead Service Management meetings ensuring held in line with contractual governance requirements related to reporting, attendance and action taken
  • Alongside the business, monitor Supplier performance and ensure the appropriate governance action related to remediation and enforcement is undertaken
  • Oversee the development of Exit Plans and Business Continuity Plans aligned to Aspen’s commercial needs and regulatory requirements
  • Maintain and update the overall contract risk register, managing or escalating risks and issues as appropriate, ensuring ownership by the IT SLT
  • Own the reporting of Third-Party IT Supplier performance to the Group Operations Committee
  • Execute governance related to contract changes ensuring current and accurate records are maintained, in accordance with Aspen’s document management processes utilising the contract repository
  • Oversee the transition of services – either new or withdrawing – to ensure resiliency of service
  • Act as point of contact for Aspen for potential operational level formal escalations and work through to resolution
  • Actively lead the coordination of Third Party BCP testing or any active incident which requires the collaboration of IT Suppliers.

Environmental Awareness/Customer Focus

  • Develops positive, open and constructive relationships with Third Party Account Leads and Service Providers, working in partnership to ensure the service provided meets current and future needs, managing expectations as necessary
  • Works closely with the business to understand strategy and needs and can support in advising on ways to flex the contract to meet those needs
  • Forms strong partnerships with business stakeholders, establishing standards for service management at a functional level, providing coaching where required. Supports the business in understanding the parameters of the contract where applicable and processes that need to be adhered to
  • Builds relationships with senior supplier staff; Seen as a go to contact by suppliers with regard to Aspen supplier management associated policies and processes
  • Maintains an awareness of relevant technical and legislative changes as well as industry best practice in order to ensure dynamic and compliant service provision
  • Networks with peer groups and Suppliers to maintain an understanding of relative performance and services.

Technical Performance

  • Ensure the business maintains a risk assessment of its sourcing strategy across the Third Party Supplier base
  • Lead annual/quarterly/monthly vendor business reviews; Develop Supplier management capability within business ensuring consistent engagement and action taking to address commercial and performance concerns Manage day-to-day supplier operational issues, meet project deadlines and effectively support IT Services requirement
  • Manage the Software Assets and Rights Management Team (SARM) at an operational level
  • Focus on ensuring SARM activity supports the Aspen Architecture Board governance requirements and SARM policy
  • Ensures software renewals provide continuity of service to the business
  • Works closely with IT Procurement to decide what software renewals or new software requirements will be progressed by SARM or the Global IT Procurement lead
  • Develops accurate recording and reporting/management information mechanisms to enable effective decision making and action.

People Management

  • Works within a matrix across IT and Procurement peer groups to effect outcomes through motivation, influencing and demonstrating a service/support minded approach to delivery
  • Be a trusted partner to the business to ensure an optimal outcome from Third Party relationships

 

Skills & Experience:

  • Specific professional qualifications at the level of degree or equivalent.
  • Qualified within own personal discipline, with extensive post-qualification work experience to include:
    • Working as part of a senior team within a complex organisation (preferably within financial services industry)
    • At least 5 years of relevant Technology procurement/vendor management experience
    • Experience of working with ITO’s and transitioning of services to a Third Party
  • Demonstrable experience negotiating difficult situations to a successful conclusion.
  • Strong negotiation, influencing, analytical skills
  • Excellent communication skills – both written and oral
  • Ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment, demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence
  • Understanding of interdependencies between technology, operations, and business needs
  • Ability to define pragmatic and innovative solutions
  • Able to manage conflicting priorities to achieve deadlines
  • Able to plan effectively and efficiently
  • Strong customer orientation skills and ability to proactively manage customer expectation
  • Ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment
  • Demonstrable supplier management skills
  • Able to work independently
  • Project/change management skills/disciplines

 

At Aspen we know that having a diverse and inclusive workforce is good for our people, good for our business and good for the environments in which we operate.  We therefore welcome applications from people which allows us to draw on diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences.

Apply now »