Director, Vendor Management

About Nscale

Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI start-ups and large enterprise customers. Nscale enables AI-focused companies to achieve superior results by reducing the complexity of AI development. Our GPU cloud bolsters technical capabilities and directly supports strategic business outcomes, including cost management, rapid innovation, and environmental responsibility.

At Nscale, our Business Operations team plays a critical role in keeping the vendors and platforms that power our business running efficiently, reliably, and on commercially sound terms.

We thrive on a culture of relentless innovation, ownership, and accountability, where every team member takes pride in their work and drives it with excellence and urgency. As an Nscaler, you'll build trust through openness and transparency, where everyone is inspired to do their best work. If you join our team, you'll be contributing to building the technology that powers the future.

About the Role

We're looking for a Director, Vendor Management to own Nscale's entire post-RFS operational vendor ecosystem — every operational service vendor and platform vendor (Jira, ServiceNow, Sunbird DCIM, Linear/Procore, Salesforce) that keeps the business running.

- You'll own the full commercial relationship for every vendor in scope: strategy, contracts, negotiations, SLA governance, and QBRs.
- You'll partner closely with our Director, Finance & Business Intelligence to make sure platform performance and reporting needs stay aligned.
- Construction supply chain is managed cross-functionally with the construction organization — this role does not own that process, but does coordinate on post-handover vendor needs.

What You'll be Doing

- Own end-to-end vendor strategy for all post-RFS operational service vendors, platform vendors, and facilities management/preventative maintenance contracts that power Nscale's business operations.
- Develop and maintain a tiered vendor classification system aligned to criticality, spend, and vendor type.
- Establish SLAs, KPIs, and escalation protocols across all operational service and platform vendors.
- Own monthly and quarterly vendor performance reviews, holding every service and platform partner accountable to commitments.
- Resolve vendor performance failures and escalate contractual breaches with recommended remedies.
- Own the strategic relationship with Salute, including contract oversight, performance reviews, and escalation management.
- Own all commercial relationships, contract negotiations, renewals, and QBRs for platform vendors (Jira, ServiceNow, Sunbird DCIM, Linear/Procore, Salesforce) and Facilities Management/Preventative Maintenance vendors — you're the primary commercial point of contact for every platform and service agreement.
- Partner with Director, Finance & Business Intelligence to ensure contracts and SLAs reflect the data access, integration, and configuration needs Finance BI depends on.
- Work cross-functionally with the construction supply chain organization on post-handover construction vendor needs, providing operational expertise without owning procurement.
- Manage and develop two Senior Managers — Vendor Operations and Vendor Contracts.

About You

- You have 10+ years in vendor management, procurement, or operations, ideally in infrastructure, datacenter, or tech.
- You've managed diverse vendor portfolios spanning both operational services and software/platform vendors.
- You bring strong contract negotiation skills and legal-commercial fluency, and work effectively with Legal and Finance.
- You have a track record of managing and developing a team across multiple vendor categories.
- You're familiar with procurement and vendor management systems, and comfortable with SaaS and platform vendor commercial structures.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related field.

Why this role matters

Salute is engaged and active, and SLA governance needs a dedicated owner before performance issues accumulate. Our platform vendor agreements (Jira, ServiceNow, Sunbird DCIM, Linear/Procore, Salesforce) require active commercial governance that our Sr. Director can no longer absorb alongside process leadership. Contract renewals, renegotiations, and compliance tracking across a multi-vendor portfolio need full-time, Director-level ownership — and the two Senior Manager roles that will sit under this position can't be effectively led without a Director in seat first.

What We Can Offer You

At Nscale, you'll find a collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment where your contributions spark real impact. We're building something extraordinary, and we want you at the core.

- Highly competitive package (base + equity) with reviews every 12 months. 🚀
- Join the fastest-growing tech startup — your chance to push boundaries, collaborate with brilliant minds, and make your mark on cutting-edge AI. ✨
- Expect a dynamic progression plan tailored to your ambitions. Grow by trying new things, leading, challenging the status quo, and owning your impact, always with our full support.
- Human-First Flexibility: we treat you as humans first. 🫶🏽 Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy to shape your day around life's moments.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At NScale, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our work environment, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

If there's anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.

The range below reflects the base salary for the position. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related factors such as skill set, experience, education, and location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs. Nscale may offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation.

 

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