Technology Vendor Manager

Technology Vendor Manager – (£62,000 - £65,000) – Perm

Join us and be part of a mission-driven, independent publisher. You’ll work with a diverse group of people who share a passion for empowering researchers, educators, and institutions to shape the future.

About Sage:

Sage  is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely. 

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact

• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning

• Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas

About our Team:

At Sage, the Technology Delivery & Operations group is essential in helping colleagues throughout the business perform at their highest level. We partner with teams across Technology, Finance, Legal, Security, Data Privacy, Procurement and senior business leadership to ensure our technology investments deliver value, support innovation and meet the needs of a growing global organisation.

As part of this team, you'll help shape how we manage relationships with technology vendors, optimise technology spend, and ensure we have the right tools, contracts and services in place to support our people and customers. You will collaborate with a wide range of internal and external collaborators, providing trusted insight that helps drive informed commercial and strategic decisions

Could you be our new Technology Vendor Manager? We need someone who:

• Has experience managing technology vendors, software assets or IT contracts within a large, complex or international organisation.

• Builds positive relationships encompassing diverse collaborators and can confidently engage with technical specialists, finance partners, suppliers and senior leaders.

• Has successfully negotiated software, cloud or technology service agreements that delivered measurable commercial value.

• Understands software licensing models, including subscription, cloud consumption and enterprise agreements, and can translate technical concepts into clear business recommendations.

• Enjoys analysing data, identifying trends and turning complex information into practical insights and actions.

• Is highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, while maintaining excellent attention to detail.

• Has experience working alongside finance teams on budgeting, forecasting and investment planning activities.

• Communicates clearly and inclusively, helping others understand processes, make informed decisions and navigate change with confidence.

Your new role:

We're looking for a Technology Vendor Manager to lead the global management of our technology supplier portfolio and the contracts, licences and services that support our business. This is a highly visible role with opportunities to influence commercial outcomes, identify savings opportunities and strengthen relationships with key technology partners.

You'll combine commercial expertise, analytical thinking, and collaboration to help Sage get the most value from its technology investments. You will also maintain strong governance, compliance, and risk management practices.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the end-to-end management of Sage's global technology vendor portfolio, building effective supplier relationships and driving strong performance against agreed service commitments.

• Provide clear visibility of vendor spend, licence usage and contractual commitments, identifying trends, risks and opportunities to optimise investment.

• Partner with Finance Business Partners and budget owners to assist in cost planning, future projections, and long-term technology investment planning.

• Proactively manage contract renewals, notice periods and licensing commitments to ensure informed, timely and commercially sound decisions.

• Negotiate and influence improved commercial outcomes with vendors, distributors and resellers, securing value while managing risk.

• Deliver reporting, dashboards and insights that enable technical and business leaders to make confident data-driven decisions.

• Identify and implement cost optimisation opportunities, including licence rationalisation, contract consolidation and improved utilisation of existing technology investments.

• Continuously improve vendor management, contract governance and licensing processes, acting as a trusted advisor to stakeholders across the organisation.

Overview of Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with 2 additional floating personal days.

• Hybrid working up to 2 days per week in office and a home working allowance.

• Life assurance, income protection, and travel insurance.

• Private medical cover and access to the company doctor.

• Tuition scheme and support for pursuing professional qualifications, including access to Sage books and journals.

• Variety of snacks and beverages available in the office.

• Healthy lifestyle reimbursement and anniversary trips.

• Access to Company loans (season ticket loan, rental deposit loan, cycle loan).

We’re a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1). If you’d like to apply under this scheme, please let us know in your application.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you’d like to request reasonable adjustments, please email humanresources@sagepub.co.uk. Please note we only accept applications via email if an adjustment has been agreed.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 14th October.

To ensure we can give each application the attention it deserves, we may consider bringing the closing date forward. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Sage, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and to sustaining a culture that celebrates diversity, encourages authenticity, and builds a deep sense of belonging. We encourage applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief as crafting value through diversity is what makes us strong.