The Head of Vendor Management Office (VMO) is a pivotal role within our global insurance client, based either in Iselin, NJ, or downtown NYC. This full-time position offers a competitive salary, bonus, and benefits, and while an insurance industry background is advantageous, it is not a prerequisite. The role can be performed on-site five days a week or in a hybrid model, requiring three days in the office. In this capacity, the Head of VMO will lead, manage, and optimize the IT Vendor Management efforts, with a strong emphasis on outsourcing and vendor strategy. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in vendor strategy, location strategy, vendor relationships, vendor performance management, and total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements. The role demands a seasoned professional who can develop a comprehensive understanding of the Global IT Strategy, aligning it with the existing vendor ecosystem. This includes identifying the need for new partners or enhancing capabilities within current partnerships to meet the organization's IT vision and goals. Collaboration is key in this role, as the Head of VMO will work closely with various IT pillars to drive strategic partnerships, ensuring that outsourced partners effectively extend the IT team's capabilities. This collaboration will also extend to Procurement, IT Finance, IT Portfolio Management, and IT Talent & Culture teams, ensuring that outsourced relationships align with fiscal and cultural goals. The Head of VMO will be responsible for developing and implementing vendor strategies that are in line with IT objectives, fostering long-term partnerships, and conducting annual reviews of vendor performance metrics to assess the vendor mix. Additionally, the role involves analyzing market trends and costs to inform location strategies for vendor operations, including outsourcing and offshoring initiatives.