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Full-time, Fixed Term position until September 2027
- Salary Level 9 ($141,417 - $151,521) + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements
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Based at the Primarily based at City campus (222 Lonsdale Street, Melb), and the potential to
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work across other RMIT campuses as required, and hybrid ways of working
About You
The Vendor Manager (IT Portfolio), RMIT Procurement is responsible for the end-to-end management of a defined portfolio of strategic and critical technology vendors, driving performance, value realisation, and risk management across the vendor lifecycle.
This role is accountable for establishing and executing robust vendor governance, commercial optimisation, and relationship management practices that ensure vendors deliver against contractual, operational and strategic objectives. The Vendor Manager operates at both operational and strategic levels, influencing internal stakeholders and vendor partners to deliver measurable outcomes aligned to RMIT’s strategic priorities.
The role plays a key part in advancing RMIT’s Vendor Management capability by:
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Driving value realisation (cost optimisation, service improvement, innovation)
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Leading structured governance forums (e.g. QBRs, SBRs)
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Managing vendor risk, performance and issue resolution
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Supporting enterprise transformation initiatives (including digital, cloud and service reform)
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Contributing to the uplift of tools, systems and frameworks (including Vendor Management Systems and reporting)
The Vendor Manager acts as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, translating business demand into vendor outcomes, and partnering with vendors to deliver innovation and continuous improvement.
To be successful in this position, you’ll have as a minimum:
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Proven experience managing complex, high-value vendor portfolios within an IT or digital environment
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Demonstrated expertise in strategic vendor relationship management and governance
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Strong commercial acumen with experience delivering measurable cost savings or optimisation
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outcomes
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Experience leading vendor governance frameworks (e.g. QBRs, SLAs, KPIs, performance reporting)
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Demonstrated ability to manage vendor performance, risk and issue resolution in complex
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Experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders and vendor executives
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Ability to leverage data and insights to drive decision-making and performance improvement
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Strong collaboration skills within a matrixed, cross-functional organisation
Success in this role will be demonstrated by:
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Delivery of cost savings and cost avoidance targets
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Improvement in vendor performance and service outcomes
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Effective management and reduction of critical vendor risks and incidents
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Delivery of vendor-led innovation and transformation initiatives
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Strong stakeholder satisfaction and engagement
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Maturity and effectiveness of vendor governance and reporting
Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.
About the Portfolio
The Operations Portfolio enables an integrated, enterprise-wide delivery for best practice student and staff experiences.
The Portfolio incorporates the following business units: Enabling Services Reform (ESR), Information and Technology Services (ITS), Finance & Assurance incorporating Procurement, Health Safety & Risk, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, and Property Services.
The Portfolio houses significant drivers and delivery components across the staff and student journeys and enables the overall experience for both groups. The Portfolio is integral in bringing the RMIT strategy to life, across the globe. Each of these functions supports the global operations of the University both directly as well as through its controlled entities.
Procurement is a small but focused group reporting to the Chief Financial Officer. The role of Procurement is to review sourcing and procurement options across the university based on an expenditure on goods and services of ~$380M.
Key issues addressed are:
- Identifying cost improvement initiatives across the university spend
- Rationalising supplier base
- Negotiating and establishing major RMIT group contracts based on combined purchasing power
- Enabling the procurement process and policies through both systems and controls
- Using and leveraging group contracts to provide savings
- Development of category strategies and deep vendor relationship management
To Apply
Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing your suitability for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.
For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Cassandra Nugent| Senior Manager, Vendor Management | Procurement via email [email protected].
For further information regarding recruitment processes, please contact Larisa Ahadi, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor via email at [email protected] Please do not share your application to this email address.
Please note that this is a rolling recruitment, and we encourage you to submit your application early.
Position Description
Please note, if you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to RMIT's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page. Due to recent upgrades, position description links may not work on LinkedIn advertisements.
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14 July 2026 11.59 pm
RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.
At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via [email protected] or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.
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