Strategic Sourcing Manager – IT Software Licensing, Cloud, and Professional Serv

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.***

The Strategic Sourcing Manager will play a critical role in managing technology and professional services procurement, with a strong focus on IT software licensing, cloud/SaaS negotiations, and professional labor staffing agreements. This individual contributor role will support internal business stakeholders across the organization in developing sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts, mitigating vendor risk, and optimizing supplier relationships.

The ideal candidate brings experience in the financial services industry, expertise in data procurement contracts, and a proven track record of negotiating with leading cloud/SaaS providers. In addition to strategic sourcing, this role will help design and implement enhanced vendor management protocols in collaboration with global affiliates to standardize vendor governance across the company.

What You Will Do

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, providing professional, proactive sourcing support.
• Lead end-to-end competitive sourcing events (RFP/RFI/RFQ), including bid packages, vendor demos, analysis, and negotiations.
• Drive negotiations for IT software licensing, SaaS subscriptions, cloud services, and professional staffing engagements.
• Analyze pricing proposals, budget impact, and cost-saving opportunities to support informed decisions.
• Champion vendor management best practices, including vendor due diligence, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Manage contract lifecycles: renewals, renegotiations, SOWs, NDAs, amendments, and data procurement agreements.
• Collaborate with affiliates in the U.S., Europe, and Canada to leverage global supplier agreements.
• Track and report savings, vendor risk insights, and project progress to leadership.
• Potential for occasional in office for culture and collaboration weeks

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, finance, or related field
• 6+ years of procurement/sourcing experience with IT software licensing, cloud/SaaS providers, and staffing vendors.
• Proven success negotiating data procurement, software, and cloud technology contracts.
• Strong vendor management and supplier risk management expertise.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple sourcing projects independently.
• Experience using procurement tools (P2P, e-auctions).

What Will Set You Apart

• Background in financial services or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience negotiating with major cloud/SaaS providers (AWS, Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, etc.).
• Familiarity with data governance, privacy, and compliance requirements.
• Certifications such as CPSM, CPM, or PMP.
• Advanced degree in business, law, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to standardize vendor governance processes.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the job. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. You will be evaluated in part based on your performance of the responsibilities and/or tasks listed in this job description. You may be required perform other duties that are not included on this job description. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) – BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

Base Salary Range

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer • Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

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