Senior Supplier Relationship Manager

The Role

As the Senior Supplier Relationship Manager you play a key role within Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) and are responsible for responsible for the end‑to‑end commercial and relationship management of strategically critical IT suppliers, including contract performance, commercial negotiations, and long‑term value realisation.

In this role you will:

• Lead end‑to‑end supplier lifecycle management for key IT vendors, from procurement and contract negotiation through to performance governance, renewal and exit.
• Act as the commercial and vendor management authority for complex IT contracts, including managed services, SaaS, cloud, and enterprise technology providers.
• Drive contract negotiations, variations, renewals and commercial optimisation initiatives to deliver measurable financial and service outcomes.
• Partner closely with cross‑functional teams across DTS and the University to align service delivery with evolving business needs and strategic digital priorities.
• Lead governance frameworks, performance reporting, and escalation processes that support service excellence and supplier accountability.

This full‑time position is a permanent role located at Callaghan Campus (Awabakal Land).

You will have:

• Demonstrated extensive experience leading strategic supplier and vendor relationships within complex IT and digital service environments, including the end‑to‑end management of high‑value and high‑risk contracts, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy, performance expectations and long‑term commercial objectives.
• Extensive experience establishing and leading supplier governance frameworks, including executive‑level forums, performance assurance, risk management, escalation and issue resolution processes, ensuring supplier accountability, contract compliance, service quality, and proactive risk mitigation.
• A demonstrated track record of delivering tangible commercial outcomes across IT vendor portfolios, including cost efficiencies, risk reduction, service uplift, and innovation enablement, supported by robust commercial analytics, benchmarking and negotiation strategies.
• Proven expertise leading complex IT procurement activities and commercial negotiations, including RFPs, contract structuring, negotiation of terms, renewals, and dispute resolution within enterprise‑scale environments.
• Proven expertise in stakeholder engagement evidenced by an ability to influence at all levels of an organisation and to work collaboratively with cross functional teams and external partners to deliver on agreed and desired results and outcomes.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world‑leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively.

These include:

• The remuneration for this position is commensurate with skills and experience
• Flexible working arrangements (in line with the University’s Flexible Work Policy)
• 17% super and salary packaging
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme
• Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

Your next steps

Important information before you apply:

• If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ (or equivalent) to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy from the Related Documents section before commencing your application.
• Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit.

Your application must include:

• Cu…