Helping you do more

DUAL is a different kind of MGA and has been since day one in 1998. We’ve built our business on the idea that when industry expertise, intelligent underwriting and an entrepreneurial mindset come together, insurance can help our partners thrive. Today that philosophy is as relevant as ever. Our intermediary and carrier partners around the world rely on our underwriting teams to take initiative, lean into the challenges of an increasingly complex world, and respond to our clients’ emerging needs.

A career that grows with you

DUAL is a place where you can bring your whole self to work – a people-first company that helps you be the best you can be.

 

Technology Contracts and Vendor Manager   

London

An excellent opportunity for a Contract and Vendor Specialist to join the DUAL Technology team, servicing UK and Europe.

We are looking for a proactive, solution-driven candidate with excellent commercial and communication skills.

Full-time position: 5 days a week (London/Hybrid).

Reports to the Head of Service Delivery Management, DUAL Technology.

Role Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Technology Contracts and Vendor Manager to join DUAL Technology. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing relationships with our technology vendors, ensuring the successful delivery of services, and driving vendor cost optimisations. Reporting to the Head of Service Delivery Management, the Technology Vendor and Contract Manager will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to enhance technology solutions in alignment with the overall company strategy.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the Technology Contracts and Vendor Manager will play a key role in negotiating contracts with vendors. This will involve working closely with internal stakeholders and procurement to ensure that all contractual terms are favourable and align with DUAL’s objectives. The successful candidate will also be responsible for monitoring vendor performance, ensuring compliance with service level agreements, and identifying opportunities for process improvements and cost savings.

Overall, the Technology Contracts and Vendor Manager will be instrumental in developing and maintaining strong vendor relationships, negotiating advantageous contracts, and driving continuous improvements in the delivery of technology services.

Key Responsibilities:

Contract Management:

In cooperation with Howden Group Procurement. negotiate, review and manage IT contracts, including software licences, service agreements, and consultancy/supplier contracts.

Ensure all contracts comply with internal policies, legal standards, and financial services regulations.

Monitor contract performance and renewals, proactively addressing any issues or risks.

Manage the DUAL Technology Contract Database.

Vendor Management:

Develop and maintain strong relationships with IT vendors, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and standards.

Lead the vendor selection process, including RFPs, RFIs, and evaluation criteria.

Conduct regular and documented performance reviews with vendors, ensuring adherence to agreed service levels and KPIs.

Financial Oversight:

Track and manage vendor expenditure against the IT budget, ensuring cost efficiency and value for money.

Identify opportunities for cost savings through contract negotiation or vendor consolidation.

Collaborate with DUAL Finance to ensure timely invoice processing and budget forecasting.

           

Risk and Compliance:

Ensure vendor contracts comply with regulatory requirements specific to financial services, including data protection, confidentiality, and security.

Proactively manage and mitigate risks related to third-party vendors, including monitoring for non-compliance or underperformance.

In collaboration with DUAL Technology Risk and Compliance, maintain up-to-date records of vendor certifications, audits, and due diligence documentation.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including Group IT, legal, Group Procurement, and compliance teams, to ensure alignment on vendor strategies and contract terms.

Act as the central point of contact for vendor and contract-related queries across the Technology function.

Provide regular reporting on vendor performance and contract status to the CIO and COO.

Continuous Improvement:

Implement best practices for vendor and contract management processes.

Identify opportunities to streamline procurement and vendor management workflows.

Stay up to date on industry trends and regulatory changes affecting IT vendor relationships in financial services.

Key Requirements:

Essential:

Proven experience in IT contract management and IT vendor management, ideally within financial services or a similar regulated environment.

Strong understanding of IT procurement, licensing models, and service agreements.

Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to manage complex contractual discussions.

Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements related to third-party vendors in financial services.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.

Proficient in Microsoft Office, contract management tools, and vendor management systems.

Desirable:

Experience with ITIL practices or similar IT governance frameworks.

Knowledge of cloud computing agreements, SaaS contracts, and data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR).

Competencies:

Strong interpersonal and communication skills to manage vendor relationships and stakeholder expectations effectively.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Strategic mindset with a focus on delivering value and optimising vendor performance.

Team player with a proactive and results-driven approach.

What We Offer:

Competitive salary and benefits package.

Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

A collaborative and innovative working environment within a leading financial services organisation.

Yes, we offer all the usual rewards and benefits - including great healthcare provision, a wide variety of wellbeing offers, competitive salary, generous pensions and more - but we know you expect all that.

What you might not expect is a job where everyone has a voice, where volunteering in the community is part of the day job, and where everyone is encouraged to play a part towards our sustainability goals. We want people who want to make a difference - not just in the workplace, but in the industry and in the wider community.

Our Culture: People First

We are proud to be at the global table, but we are most proud of our culture. It has been built on a single and constant set of principles over more than 25 years, and it has helped us become:

An international group with independence and people at its heart

A home for talent with a unique culture: the biggest small company in the world

The focus on being a People First business has always been at the very heart of the Group. David’s vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture; one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people to join the Group has been and will continue to be key.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Howden Group Holdings we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.

DUAL is where ambitious people thrive

There’s an independent spirit and an entrepreneurial feel that run throughout the business. You’ll have greater freedom to use your talents to help clients and colleagues do more. We believe that’s fundamental to realising our vision to be the world’s best underwriting business.

Working here is rewarding

As well as job satisfaction and a stimulating culture, working at DUAL comes with all the benefits you’d expect from a global business – and some you wouldn’t.

— Family-first policies that support you through all of life’s milestones

— Health and wellbeing benefits including private medical insurance and more

— Critical illness and life insurance cover to give you extra financial security

— A choice of rewards for every five years of service, including shares

— Volunteer leave so you can make a difference outside of work too

Reasonable adjustments

At DUAL, we're committed to providing reasonable accommodations to make sure our positions align with our people’s needs. For example, we can always make adjustments to your office set-up – your software, hardware, desk and so on. We may also be able to offer flexible hours or hybrid working depending on your role and location. If you're excited about this position but have doubts as to how ‘workable’ it is for you, please send us your application. If your profile fits the criteria, we’ll be happy to chat about any reasonable accommodations you may need.

The power to change our world

As a business, DUAL is about taking action. It’s fundamental to our entrepreneurial spirit, and it doesn’t just apply during office hours. It relates to the communities we move in and the world we live in. That’s why we constantly strive to be a force for good.

Permanent