At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead vendor oversight, manage due diligence, and create insightful reports for IT leadership.
- Company: Join Athora, a leading provider in European savings and retirement services.
- Benefits: Dynamic work environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a company that values innovation, simplicity, and doing the right thing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in vendor management within a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in vendor management, strong stakeholder management skills, and expertise in governance frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
- Executive Summary
- Role Title: Senior Associate, Vendor & Workplace Operations
- Reporting: Director, Sourcing and Vendor Management
- Team: Sourcing and Vendor Management
- Purpose of this Role
The Senior Associate, Vendor Management role is responsible for delivering third‑party oversight and monitoring, including due diligence, service reviews and contract review cycles, aligned with Athora’s S&VM framework.
- Key Strategic Contribution Areas
- Schedule and lead annual and periodic service reviews with assigned vendors and Athora Service Managers.
- Agree and issue meeting agendas, coordinate review documentation, prepare logistics and ensure action items and artefacts are fully recorded and stored.
- Manage the due diligence lifecycle, including issuing due diligence packs 60+ days before completion, coordinating Infosec/disaster recovery/data protection impact assessment elements, tracking progress and completing the final sign‑off.
- Maintain accurate oversight logs, vendor submissions, compliance evidence and review artefacts.
- Manage the due diligence action log and process, ownership of the action log and coordination of Relationship Manager inputs
- Carry out written agreement reviews on critical outsourcing and DORA vendors in line with regulatory requirements
- Create and present elevated monthly Oversight & Monitoring reports, synthesizing due diligence status, service review outcomes and contractual performance insights for IT Leadership and the IT Resilience & Disaster Recovery Forum, ensuring clear visibility of risks, trends and required actions.
- Ensure consistent alignment to Athora oversight expectations, governance processes and regulatory obligations.
- Functional & Technical Competencies
- Expertise in vendor governance and oversight frameworks.
- Advanced capability in service management leadership.
- Strategic understanding of workplace governance and H&S.
- Executive‑level reporting and insight synthesis.
- Strong continuous improvement and governance maturity mindset.
Experience & Qualifications
- 5+ years in vendor management working within financial services
- Proven experience shaping governance frameworks and operating models.
- Strong knowledge of Solvency II and DORA
- Stakeholder management experience – ability to influence and build strong working relationships.
- Strong background in vendor governance and operational risk.
- Demonstrated ability to create detailed management reporting for leadership.
- Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Strong strategic mindset and enterprise‑level influence.
- Highly credible relationship‑builder across senior stakeholders.
- Exceptional communication and leadership presence.
- Resilient, adaptable, with sound judgement.
- Commitment to excellence, governance maturity and continuous improvement.
- Apply By
- 16-08-2026
Athora is a leading provider of guaranteed products in the European savings and retirement services market.
We operate through primary insurance businesses in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Italy, and reinsurance operations in Bermuda and Ireland.
At end of 2024, we had €76 billion of Assets under Management and Administration (Au MA), approximately 2.8 million customers, and c.1,500 employees across Belgium, Bermuda, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK.
As we continue to expand our footprint in the European life insurance market in support of our growth strategy, we are looking for driven, team players to join us on our journey.
We welcome applicants who are guided by our shared values; Dare to be Different, Seek Simplicity, Care and Do the Right Thing and in return we offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment.
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Vendor Management Senior Associate employer: Athora Group
Athora Group is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of London. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, competitive remuneration, and the chance to make a significant impact during a pivotal transition in the company. Joining Athora means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to excellence in financial reporting and regulatory compliance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vendor Management Senior Associate
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
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✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
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We think you need these skills to ace Vendor Management Senior Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Athora Group will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Athora Group. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Athora Group confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Athora Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Athora Group.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Athora Group that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
