Sr. Strategic Sourcing Partner (External Development, Games)

Enterprise teams at Riot are responsible for creating the culture, systems, and environment that enable Riot to be the best place for world-class talent to imagine and deliver the impossible for players.  Enterprise collectively is made up of key corporate teams like Finance, People, Legal, Corporate Affairs, IT and Infosec, D&I and Corp. Strategy that creates the ecosystem for Riot’s different product Pillars to operate and collaborate.  In order to be effective, Enterprise Rioters must foster a trust forward culture to empower product Pillars, act as true partners to product teams and create simple and customer centric systems that unlock collaboration across Riot.

Strategic Sourcing Managers at Riot help to find, source, and maintain key external relationships through expert relationship management, craft expertise, and analytical curiosity.  You’ll be the driving force in making sure large deals are properly vetted and negotiated to ensure the highest possible level of quality, service, and cost, while aligning with the needs of internal stakeholders, other functional support teams, and executive leadership.  

As Outsourcing Manager - Development Services, you’ll support the Games Pillar as a dedicated sourcing manager focused on driving sourcing negotiation and strategy for the Engineering, Co-Development, and Creative external development needs of the Game Pillar. Engineering and Development services spend includes disciplines such as Game Design, Game Engines, Console/Mobile/PC programming, Graphics, Gameplay, AI, UI, Tooling, Porting, Software Testing and Quality Assurance. You’ll need to navigate key areas of spend and find opportunities to optimize external partners across various product and centralized support teams in a non-mandated sourcing environment.  You’ll also be embedded within the Games Pillar and represent the strategic sourcing function by providing best practices and advisory for vendor strategy. 

• Leverage business requirements and development team forecasts to develop strategic partnerships and scalable contractual agreements.
• Craft and conduct bid and evaluation processes (RFI, RFQ, RFP, etc.) and vet applicable vendors.
• Communicate cross Business Units, Pillars, and Enterprise-wide to develop holistic strategies and find commonality among product teams.
• Serve as escalation point for key commercial relationships
• Structure and negotiate vendor agreements across all areas of game , as well as providing insight to best practices for structuring services deals.
• Draft business cases, including  internal vs external development analysis, for reaching the best possible strategic outcome across our vendor portfolio
• Maintain vendor databases of key partners and strategic relationships
• Conduct market research on existing and emerging trends across the industry.
• Mentor and lead other Rioters
• Promote a one team mentality, focused on holistic Riot-Wide solutions
• Use success criteria and metrics as guides to adapt efforts and ensure the trust and satisfaction of Rioter and development partners

• 8+ years experience in category sourcing focused on engineering and development services within the games industry
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong facilitation skills, with the ability to bring disparate teams together to move in the same direction
• Demonstrable quantitative analysis (financial and/or price modeling)
• Ability to work independently with limited direction or supervision
• Vendor relationship management experience in large non-mandated organizations
• Knowledge of industry trends across multiple game development sub disciplines

• Experience working in game development
• Experience leading teams of sourcing associates to deliver high-impact projects across the games landscape
• CPSM or similar certifications

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes your fellow Rioters, who are the customers of your work. Being a dedicated fan of games is not necessary for this position!

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you’re working directly on a new player-facing experience or you’re supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we’re better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we’re looking forward to your application.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.