At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage vendor relationships and negotiate contracts to optimise performance and costs.
- Company: Join Lendable, a fast-growing fintech revolutionising credit and savings.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate across teams and build trusted relationships with key stakeholders.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of fintech innovation and make a real impact on financial products.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in vendor management with strong commercial acumen and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Lendable is on a mission to build the world's best technology to help people get credit and save money. We're building one of the world’s leading fintech companies and are off to a strong start: among the fastest-growing tech companies in the UK. So far, we’ve rebuilt the Big Three consumer finance products from scratch: loans, credit cards, and car finance. We’re growing fast, and there’s a lot more to do: we’re going after the two biggest Western markets (UK and US) where trillions worth of financial products are held by big banks with dated systems and painful processes.
As our credit risk capabilities scale across multiple markets and products, the strategic management of our vendor relationships has never been more critical. We're looking for a Vendor Manager to own our relationships with a broad portfolio of vendors - with particular depth in credit bureaus and data providers - ensuring we extract maximum value from these partnerships while managing costs, performance, and innovation. Reporting to a Commercial Director, you'll be the central point of contact for our most important vendors. Your portfolio will span credit bureaus such as Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, alternative data providers, along with a selection of other technology and service partners. You'll own contract negotiations, performance management, product roadmaps, and cross-functional coordination to ensure Lendable has access to the best products and data at the right cost.
This role sits at the intersection of risk, product, engineering, finance, and legal. You'll need to understand credit data deeply, think commercially across a range of vendor categories, and build trusted relationships both internally and with senior stakeholders at our partners.
- 2+ years in vendor management, strategic partnerships, or procurement roles in financial services
- Experience managing credit bureau relationships and/or other mission-critical vendors
- Strong commercial acumen with contract negotiation and cost management experience
- Deep understanding of credit data products, bureau outputs, and risk decisioning
- Ability to work cross-functionally with risk, product, engineering, finance, and legal teams
- Strong stakeholder management skills, comfortable influencing senior internal and external stakeholders
- Analytical mindset with the ability to assess vendor performance and ROI
- Experience in fintech or consumer lending businesses
- Technical understanding of API integrations and data flow
- Experience with alternative credit data sources and emerging providers
- Project management experience implementing new data sources or products
- A skilled negotiator who balances cost, quality, and innovation in vendor relationships
- Commercially minded with a strong grasp of unit economics and data ROI
- Curious about new data sources and how they can improve credit decisioning
Vendor Relationship Management:
- Own strategic relationships across a diverse vendor portfolio, with particular depth in credit bureaus and data providers
- Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders at bureau partners
- Conduct regular business reviews to assess performance, roadmap, and innovation opportunities
- Manage vendor onboarding, integration planning, and ongoing support
Commercial & Contract Management:
- Lead contract negotiations and renewals, driving optimal commercial terms
- Ensure compliance with contractual terms, SLAs, and data governance requirements
- Work with finance and legal on vendor due diligence, contracts, and
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Vendor Manager (London)
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Lendable. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Vendor Manager (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Lendable.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Lendable's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lendable
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Lendable.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Lendable will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Lendable employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
