Strategic Partnerships & Vendor Relations Manager

Strategic Partnerships & Vendor Relations Manager

Position Overview

The Strategic Partnerships & Vendor Relations Manager is responsible for building, nurturing and strategically managing the relationships that support Stride’s lottery programs and broader business operations. This role will own the end-to-end relationship with Stride’s vendors, affiliates and strategic partners, while identifying new opportunities to enhance lottery prize offerings, create compelling consumer experiences and secure high-value partnerships for some of Canada’s largest and most successful lotteries.

A significant focus of the role is the strategic sourcing and negotiation of prizes and prize-related partnerships. This includes everything from major headline prizes such as homes, vehicles and travel experiences to consumer electronics, services, entertainment, lifestyle products and other items that resonate with lottery audiences. The successful candidate will develop a deep understanding of consumer interests and emerging trends and translate those insights into compelling prize opportunities that strengthen the overall lottery proposition.

The role will also identify and develop endorsement, promotional and partnership opportunities with brands, businesses and organizations that can add value to Stride’s lottery programs and clients. This may include opportunities involving well-known brands, athletes, entertainers, influencers, travel providers, automotive companies, retailers, hospitality organizations and other consumer-facing partners.

In parallel, the Manager will have responsibility for Stride’s broader vendor portfolio and contract relationships. This includes maintaining strong working relationships with existing suppliers, managing contract performance, identifying opportunities to improve commercial terms and renegotiating agreements where appropriate to achieve sustainable, mutually beneficial outcomes for both Stride and its partners.

This is a relationship-driven and commercially focused role requiring someone who is equally comfortable developing a relationship with a major national brand, negotiating the acquisition of a high-value prize, reviewing vendor agreement and identifying an opportunity that has not yet been considered. This role will maintain and grow Stride’s competitive advantage in Prizing and Partnership strategy and procurement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Prize Sourcing & Procurement

Develop and maintain a strong network of suppliers, brands, retailers, manufacturers, service providers and other organizations capable of providing compelling lottery prizes and experiences.

Lead the sourcing and negotiation of prizes across a broad range of categories, including homes, vehicles, travel, consumer electronics, appliances, lifestyle products, services, entertainment, experiences and other consumer-focused offerings.

Continuously research consumer trends, purchasing behaviour and emerging product categories to identify prize opportunities that are relevant, desirable and commercially attractive to lottery audiences.

Develop creative approaches to prize acquisition, including negotiated pricing, sponsorship arrangements, strategic partnerships, value-in-kind opportunities and other structures that can increase prize value while managing cost.

Work closely with Stride’s Lottery Delivery, Marketing, Finance, PMO and client-facing teams to ensure prize opportunities are commercially viable, operationally practical and aligned with the requirements of each lottery program.

Maintain an active pipeline of prospective prize suppliers and partnership opportunities rather than relying solely on existing vendor relationships.

Strategic Partnerships & Affiliates

Identify, pursue and develop strategic partnerships with brands and organizations that can enhance Stride’s lottery programs, increase consumer engagement and create new commercial opportunities.

Develop relationships with potential endorsement partners and facilitate opportunities involving recognizable brands, personalities, athletes, entertainers, influencers and other relevant partners where appropriate.

Identify opportunities for co-marketing, sponsorship, promotional partnerships, affiliate arrangements and other mutually beneficial commercial relationships.

Represent Stride professionally in discussions with external partners and build relationships that extend beyond individual transactions or lottery campaigns.

Develop a strong understanding of each partner’s business objectives and identify opportunities where Stride’s lottery programs can create meaningful value for both organizations.

Regularly bring forward new ideas and opportunities rather than waiting for internal teams or clients to identify a requirement.

Vendor Relationship Management

Own and manage Stride’s vendor and affiliate relationships, establishing clear expectations, maintaining regular communication and ensuring that partners consistently deliver against agreed commitments.

Develop long-term relationships with key vendors and strategic partners, positioning Stride as a preferred and trusted partner rather than simply a purchaser.

Monitor vendor performance, pricing, service levels, deliverables and contractual obligations and proactively address issues before they become material concerns.

Work cross-functionally to ensure vendor relationships support the operational, financial and service requirements of the business.

Contract Management & Commercial Negotiation

Manage Stride’s vendor contract portfolio and act as the primary commercial owner for vendor relationship and contract discussions.

Review existing agreements to identify opportunities for improved pricing, terms, service levels, flexibility and overall commercial value.

Lead contract renewals and renegotiations, seeking outcomes that provide meaningful value to Stride while maintaining strong and sustainable relationships with vendors.

Develop negotiation strategies based on market conditions, vendor performance, Stride’s purchasing volume and the long-term value of the relationship.

Identify opportunities to consolidate spend, improve purchasing leverage, eliminate unnecessary costs and establish more favourable commercial arrangements.

Partner with Finance, IT, Operations and other internal stakeholders as required to ensure contracts appropriately address commercial, operational, regulatory, privacy, security and other business requirements.

Maintain appropriate contract records and ensure key obligations, renewal dates and commercial commitments are actively managed.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Business, Commerce, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain Management or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.

• 6+ years of progressive experience in strategic partnerships, procurement, vendor management, business development, account management, sponsorships or a related commercial role.

• Demonstrated experience sourcing and negotiating products, services, sponsorships or other commercial arrangements, including the ability to independently manage negotiations from initial outreach through to final agreement.

• Proven experience developing and managing a portfolio of external vendors, suppliers, affiliates, brands and strategic partners, preferably across multiple categories and with varying levels of commercial complexity.

• Demonstrated success negotiating mutually beneficial commercial agreements, with an understanding of pricing, margins, value-in-kind arrangements, sponsorship structures, volume-based pricing and other partnership models.

• Experience identifying and developing new business or partnership opportunities through market research, industry relationships, networking and proactive outreach.

• Experience working with consumer-facing brands, retailers, manufacturers, travel providers, automotive companies, hospitality, entertainment, technology or other consumer product and service organizations is an asset.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including the ability to evaluate costs, value, pricing structures, business cases and the overall commercial return of a vendor or partnership opportunity.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple negotiations, contracts, vendors and projects concurrently while maintaining strong attention to detail and follow-through.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to negotiate and communicate effectively with vendor representatives, business owners, senior executives and internal stakeholders.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, and experience working with contract management, procurement, CRM or vendor management systems.

• Experience in lottery, gaming, entertainment, sponsorship, advertising, retail, consumer marketing or another highly partnership-driven industry would be considered an asset.