Fast Facts

WGU is seeking a Supplier Relationship Manager to oversee critical third-party supplier partnerships, ensuring exceptional performance and strategic alignment to support the university's mission of expanding access to higher education.

Responsibilities: You will manage supplier relationships, define performance metrics, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with policies.

Skills: Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and 7 years of experience in managing complex third-party supplier relationships, along with skills in supplier performance analytics.

Qualifications: A Master's degree and experience in higher education are preferred, but equivalent experience may substitute for educational requirements.

Location: This is a full-time, in-office position based in Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Compensation: $97100 - $145600 / Annually

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Professional 311Pay Range: $97,100.00 - $145,600.00

Job Description

Ready to build strong partnerships and drive supplier excellence?

Join us and help shape strategic partnership and transformation initiatives that deliver measurable impact across the organization.

About the Supplier Relationship Management Team

Our Supplier Relationship Management team plays a critical role in ensuring operational excellence and strategic alignment across the enterprise. We partner with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver high-quality services, optimize performance, and enable innovation. By fostering collaboration and driving accountability, we create value that supports organizational goals and enhances stakeholder satisfaction.

The Role: Supplier Relationship Manager

You'll lead the oversight of critical third-party relationships, driving supplier performance and strategic sourcing initiatives that support WGU’s mission. You’ll collaborate across the organization to ensure supplier partnerships deliver exceptional value, innovation, and alignment with our long-term goals.

What You'll Do

• Lead the full lifecycle management of complex supplier relationships, ensuring performance and accountability
• Define and monitor KPIs, service levels, and deliverables to uphold WGU’s standards of quality and timeliness
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align supplier strategies with organizational needs and transformation goals
• Identify and mitigate supplier-related risks that could impact business continuity, reputation, or security
• Use data-driven insights to recommend improvements and resolve supplier challenges
• Champion change management processes that enhance supplier operations and internal collaboration
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews and ensure compliance with internal policies and procedures

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
• 7 years of experience managing key, complex third-party supplier relationships
• Experience with managed service agreements and supplier performance analytics

Bonus Points if You Have

• Master’s Degree in a related field
• Experience in higher education

Experience in lieu of education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position at WGU’s office in Salt Lake City, UT.

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do—including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations, practical problem-solving, and authentic collaboration.

We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission. If selected, you’ll hear from a recruiter or hiring manager who will guide you through the process and help you know what to expect at each stage. We aim to communicate decisions promptly and respectfully.

Here’s what that typically looks like:

• Introductory call (~30 minutes): We’ll walk you through who we are at WGU and learn about your relevant experience.
• Hiring manager interview (~45 minutes)
• Technical interview (~45 minutes)

We're looking forward to getting to know you and seeing how you think, collaborate and build. Welcome to WGU.

#LI-FP1

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.