Location
Tokyo, Japan
Working Schedule
Full-Time
Work Arrangement
Hybrid
Relocation Assistance Available
Yes
Posted Date
06-Jul-2026
Job ID
18868
Description and Requirements
<About the Role>
MetLife Japan Technology Strategy is seeking an experienced Director, Vendor Relationship Management to lead strategic vendor governance and relationship management for a large, complex IT organization. The role will oversee vendor strategy, governance, performance, commercial discipline, and risk mitigation across an IT vendor portfolio supporting approximately 50+ IT suppliers in Japan and Offshore, for a US$200M+ in annual technology spend.
This is a high-impact role for a vendor management leader who can partner effectively with Japan Procurement, Regional Procurement, Global Vendor Management, IT leadership, delivery teams, risk, compliance, and legal stakeholders to strengthen vendor performance, close control gaps, and improve business value from strategic technology partners.
<What You Will Lead>
Vendor Strategy & Relationship Management: Lead strategic vendor identification, relationship management, and long-term partner governance across Japan IT vendors.
RFP / RFI Planning & Support: Support strategic sourcing activities, including requirements alignment, vendor evaluation inputs, and coordination with procurement stakeholders.
Renewals & Contract Consolidation: Drive renewal planning, contract consolidation opportunities, and reduction of vendor complexity while maintaining delivery continuity.
Contract & SOW Administration: Oversee SOW administration, contract reporting, deliverable tracking, governance cadence, and documentation discipline.
Vendor Governance & KPIs: Set up governance forums, define KPI / SLA / SLO expectations, manage scorecards, and monitor performance across key vendors.
Risk, Issues & Control Gaps: Track vendor risks, issues, control gaps, and remediation plans in partnership with IT, Legal, Compliance, Procurement, and Global Vendor Management.
Commercial & Financial Analysis: Lead contract financial analysis, forecasting, deal risk tracking, and value realization across major vendor arrangements.
Negotiation Strategy & Execution: Shape negotiation strategy with Procurement and business stakeholders to improve cost, flexibility, quality, and risk outcomes.
<Candidate Profile>
Required Experience
- 10–15+ years of experience in IT vendor management, procurement, sourcing, contract management, IT service management, or technology delivery governance.
- Experience managing complex vendor ecosystems, preferably in a global or regulated company in Japan.
- Hands-on experience with RFP/RFI support, contract renewals, SOW administration, vendor scorecards, and risk remediation.
Core Capabilities
- Strong negotiation, commercial analysis, and stakeholder influencing skills.
- Ability to translate vendor performance, commercial risks, and control gaps into concise executive recommendations.
- Strong governance mindset with experience setting up operating rhythms, KPIs, reporting, and accountability mechanisms.
Education & Language
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Technology, Supply Chain, or related field;
- MBA or procurement / contract management certification preferred.
- Business-level English required.
- Business-level Japanese strongly preferred for local vendor, procurement, and stakeholder engagement.
<Success Measures — First 12–18 Months>
- Establish a clear, repeatable vendor governance model across key IT vendors, including KPI / SLA / SLO tracking and executive reporting.
- Improve transparency of vendor performance, contract obligations, financial commitments, risks, issues, and remediation ownership.
- Support vendor consolidation and strategic sourcing outcomes in partnership with Japan Procurement, Regional Procurement, and Global Vendor Management.
- Close material vendor control gaps and strengthen alignment with IT risk, compliance, legal, and enterprise governance expectations.
- Deliver measurable commercial value through renewal planning, negotiation strategy, contract financial analysis, and deal risk mitigation.
福利厚生
メットライフ生命では、ワークライフバランスと社員の心身の健康を促進する福利厚生を提供しています。社員はフレックスタイム制度、年次有給休暇、特別連続休暇、リフレッシュ休暇等の休暇を利用できます。また、社会保険や団体保険の他、旅行や英会話教室で使える割引も提供しています。柔軟に働けるよう、オフィス勤務と在宅勤務を組み合わせた勤務形態の導入や、短時間勤務制度、また柔軟性のあるドレスコードなども設けています。
Benefits We Offer
MetLife Japan offers a comprehensive benefits package that promotes work-life balance and employee wellbeing. Employees can take advantage of flex time policy and a generous time-off policy, national holidays, annual paid leave, special consecutive leave, and refreshment leave. We also provide full social insurance coverage, a commuting expense reimbursement, group insurance, and discounts on travel and English language lessons. To support work flexibility, employees also have hybrid work options, shortened working hours for parents with children in third grade or below, and a casual dress code.
メットライフについて
メットライフは、グローバルで展開する金融サービス企業です。個人および法人のお客さまがより確かな未来を築けるよう、保険、年金、社員福利厚生給付、資産管理のサポートを提供しています。1868年に創業したメットライフは、世界40以上の市場で事業を展開し、米国、アジア、中南米、ヨーロッパ、中東において業界をリードしています。
メットライフ生命は、日本初の外資系生命保険会社として、1973年2月に国内での営業を開始しました。当社のPurpose「ともに歩んでゆく。よりたしかな未来に向けて。」は、メットライフが誇るグローバルネットワークと世界中のベストプラクティスを活かし、お客さまのニーズに応え、地域社会との信頼関係を築くという信念を表しています。
メットライフは、New Frontier戦略の一環として、AIを活用し、人を中心に据えた未来を築いています。私たちは、AIを活用して顧客へのサービス向上、地域社会への支援、そして働き方の変革を推進していく中で、好奇心、適応力、そして成長意欲を持つ人材を求めています。メットライフにおいて、AIは、人間の判断力、創造性、継続的な改善を支える責任あるパートナーであり、信頼、インクルージョン、そして長期的な価値の構築に貢献しています。About MetLife
About MetLife
MetLife Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliates (MetLife), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.
MetLife Japan began operations in February 1973 as Japan’s first foreign-owned life insurance company. Our purpose, “Always with you, building a more confident future,” encapsulates our strong commitment to leveraging our global network and best practices worldwide to stand with our customers and build trust with our communities.
As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI-enabled, people-centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long-term value.