Director, Vendor Partnering & Investment Planning

Southampton Source: WhatJobs

£120,000–£180,000

Job Description

Join us in shaping the future of unforgettable holiday happiness across our P&O Cruises and Cunard ships & Head Office as a key senior management person within our Technology Department. At Carnival UK, we believe in the power of diversity to drive success, valuing a blend of backgrounds, experiences, and skills. If you're a technology professional with a strategic mindset and a track record of overseeing a technology department, let's talk. We're not just looking for qualifications on paper; we're searching for someone who can bring fresh ideas and a new perspective to our team.

The Role

As a Director, Vendor Partnering and Investment Planning , you'll play a pivotal role in steering the technological direction of Carnival UK and our ships, ensuring we continue to deliver unforgettable holiday happiness. Your leadership will not only shape our technological advancements but also inspire a community of technology professionals to excel in their roles.

Key accountabilities include:

Own the DTO supplier ecosystem and commercial partnerships, ensuring third-party investment delivers value, performance and alignment with strategic priorities.
Lead supplier investment and commercial value management, including business cases, cost control, return on investment tracking and investment planning.
Establish robust vendor governance across DTO, covering contract clarity, supplier performance, multi-vendor integration, risk management and escalation.
Develop a scalable vendor management operating model, strengthening frameworks, tools, processes and commercial capability across DTO.

Job Requirements

This role demands a blend of strategic vision & technical expertise. We're looking for someone with:

Extensive experience managing supplier ecosystems, commercial relationships and vendor performance within a complex organisation.
Proven ability to generate value from third-party partnerships and influence senior stakeholders across procurement, finance, legal and technology.
Strong commercial acumen, including experience in contract governance, supplier performance management and strategic partner development.
A degree or equivalent experience in Business, Commercial Management or a related discipline, with a relevant professional qualification such as CIPS or an MBA considered desirable.

About You

A commercially disciplined and strategic leader who makes transparent, data-backed decisions that balance business value, cost and risk.
A credible and collaborative influencer who can align senior stakeholders and strategic suppliers around shared outcomes.
A confident problem-solver who can navigate complex commercial challenges, supplier disputes and competing investment priorities.
An inclusive leader who builds capability through mentoring, clear expectations and continuous professional development.

Why Join Us?

Positioned within our internal structure from CUK15 (entry level) to CUK1 (Brand President), this role is classified as a CUK05, offered as a full-time position, on a permanent basis, with an offering of hybrid work including up to two days from home.

We're more than just a holiday company; we're a community that values work-life balance, personal growth, and wellbeing. As part of our team, you'll enjoy: