Sr. Director, Vendor Management

Title: Sr. Director, Vendor Management

Location: Austin, TX / Dallas, TX

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

About Hippo:

Hippo exists to protect the joy of homeownership. We believe that insurance should protect the things you treasure through an intuitive, modern experience. We provide tailored insurance coverage and preventative maintenance plans that keep you protected throughout your homeowner journey. We’ll also help you find coverage for everything life brings—from auto to flood—reimagining how you care for your home. 

About This Role: 

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Sr. Director, Vendor Management to join our leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer. This role is pivotal in transforming how Hippo manages its vendor ecosystem across the enterprise. The ideal candidate will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive vendor strategy, including the implementation of a sunset program, a formal RFP process, and the renegotiation of existing contracts to optimize value and performance. 

This leader will be responsible for understanding all vendor contracts across the organization, identifying opportunities for consolidation, cost savings, and improved service delivery. They will also build and lead a high-performing vendor management team as needed to support these initiatives.

About You: 

• Strategic and analytical thinker with deep experience in vendor and contract management
• Skilled negotiator with a track record of driving favorable outcomes
• Collaborative leader who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels
• Detail-oriented with a passion for operational efficiency and compliance 

What You'll Do: 

• Develop and lead a comprehensive vendor management strategy across the enterprise
• Implement a sunset program to identify and eliminate redundant or underperforming vendor contracts
• Establish and manage a formal RFP process to ensure competitive and transparent vendor selection
• Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and renegotiations to drive cost savings and improved terms for Hippo
• Build and manage a vendor management team to support strategic initiatives
• Maintain a centralized repository of all vendor contracts and ensure visibility across departments
• Partner with Legal, Finance, and Procurement to ensure compliance and alignment with enterprise standards
• Monitor vendor performance and establish KPIs to ensure accountability and continuous improvement
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product launches, operational needs, and strategic goals 

Must Haves: 

• Bachelor’s degree business, finance or related field 
• 10+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or strategic sourcing
• 5+ years in a leadership role, ideally managing cross-functional teams
• Strong contract negotiation skills with a proven track record of cost savings and improved terms
• Experience implementing RFP processes and vendor consolidation strategies
• Deep understanding of vendor lifecycle management, including onboarding, performance tracking, and offboarding
• Familiarity with compliance and risk management related to third-party vendors
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills 

Nice to Haves: 

• Experience in the insurance or fintech industry
• Experience with vendor sunset programs or contract rationalization initiatives
• Knowledge of data privacy and security regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) as they relate to vendors
• Change management experience in transforming vendor ecosystems
• Global vendor management experience
• Experience with ESG or sustainability initiatives in vendor selection 
• Strong analytical skills with experience in cost modeling or financial analysis 

Benefits and Perks

Hippo treats its team members with the same level of dedication and care as we do our customers, which is why we’re fortunate to provide all of our Hippos with:

• Healthy Hippos Benefits - Multiple medical plans to choose from and 100% employer covered dental & vision plans for our team members and their families. We also offer a 401(k)-retirement plan, short & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Equity - This position is eligible for equity compensation 
• Training and Career Growth - Training and internal career growth opportunities
• Flexible Time Off - You know when and how you should recharge
• Little Hippos Program - We offer 12 weeks of parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers
• Hippo Habitat - Snacks and drinks available for onsite employees 

Hippo is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. 

Hippo’s applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to an applicant’s disability or need for accommodation. Any Hippo applicant who requires reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact the Hippo’s People Team to make the need for an accommodation known.