Global Vendor Manager, Ads

Openai·Remote(San Francisco)

Other

Excel

WFA Digital Insight

As the demand for skilled professionals in digital marketing and paid media continues to surge, with a reported 25% increase in job postings for vendor managers in the last year, Openai's Global Vendor Manager role stands out. With the company's commitment to leveraging AI for scalable and efficient operations, this role requires a unique blend of sales operations expertise, Excel proficiency, and the ability to drive cross-functional solutions. Candidates should be aware that this is not a traditional vendor management position but rather a strategic role that demands innovative thinking and the capacity to build and scale global vendor programs. The current remote job market favors candidates with experience in high-growth environments and a strong understanding of sales funnel metrics.

Job Description

About the Role

The Global Vendor Manager, Ads, will be a pivotal figure in Openai's Sales organization, working closely with cross-functional teams to build, launch, and scale a world-class vendor program. This role is not about maintaining the status quo but about driving innovation and operational excellence in how Openai partners with external vendors to achieve its business objectives. Day-to-day, the Global Vendor Manager will be responsible for overseeing the performance, governance, forecasting, quality, and capacity planning of outsourced sales ecosystems. This position requires a deep understanding of sales operations, vendor management, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders through data-driven insights.

The role sits at the intersection of Ads Sales, Revenue Operations, Finance, Enablement, Product, and external vendor leadership, making it a highly cross-functional position. The ideal candidate will be someone who thrives in environments that require building systems, processes, and accountability mechanisms from the ground up. With Openai's commitment to AI and scalable operating systems, this position offers a unique opportunity for a professional to make a significant impact on the company's growth and operational efficiency.

Openai's SMB Ads team is dedicated to helping businesses adopt and grow with Openai's advertising solutions. As the company scales globally, the need for a high-performing sales organization that combines talent, operational excellence, and AI-native ways of working is paramount. This role will be crucial in establishing and maintaining the vendor operating model that powers the SMB Ads business worldwide.

What You Will Do

Develop and implement the global vendor program for SMB Ads, including designing operating models, governance structures, and performance management frameworks.
Drive attainment across key metrics such as revenue, pipeline, advertiser acquisition, productivity, and quality.
Lead business reviews and executive governance forums with vendor partners and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and drive performance.
Create scorecards, forecasting processes, and inspection mechanisms to surface risks and drive accountability among vendors.
Improve sales quality through the development of playbooks, QA frameworks, performance analysis, and operational best practices.
Partner with various teams including RevOps, Enablement, Product, and Program Management to ensure readiness for new products, sales motions, and market expansions.
Build capacity and workforce plans that align with business growth and demand forecasts, leveraging AI and automation where possible.
Identify and drive solutions to systemic operational challenges that impact business performance, working closely with cross-functional teams.
Collaborate with the finance team to ensure financial planning and forecasting are accurately reflected in vendor operations.
Stay abreast of industry trends in sales operations, vendor management, and the use of AI in enhancing operational efficiency.

What We Are Looking For

At least 8 years of experience leading outsourced sales, vendor operations, or commercial operations organizations, preferably in the Ads, SaaS, software, marketplaces, or scaled revenue environments.
Proven track record of building operating models, governance mechanisms, and performance management systems from scratch.
Strong understanding of sales funnel metrics, forecasting, pipeline management, and operational excellence.
Experience influencing senior internal and external stakeholders through data-driven decision making and executive communication.
Ability to identify systemic operational challenges and drive cross-functional solutions to improve business performance.
Strong analytical and operational rigor, with experience managing complex global programs across multiple teams or regions.
Proficiency in Excel, with the ability to analyze data, create forecasts, and drive business insights.
Experience with AI, automation, and scalable operating systems to improve productivity and performance.
Passion for leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and business outcomes.

Nice to Have

Experience working with global teams and managing vendor relationships across different regions.
Knowledge of the Ads technology landscape and how it intersects with sales operations.
Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies to drive cross-functional projects.
Certification in sales operations, vendor management, or a related field.
Experience with data visualization tools to present complex data insights to stakeholders.

Benefits and Perks

Competitive compensation package, reflecting the candidate's experience and qualifications.
Equity options as part of Openai's commitment to employee ownership and wealth creation.
Comprehensive health insurance to support the well-being of employees and their families.
Generous PTO policy to ensure work-life balance and time for personal pursuits.
Remote work stipend to support employees in creating an optimal home working environment.
Opportunities for professional development and growth within a rapidly expanding company.
Access to cutting-edge technology and tools to enhance productivity and performance.
Collaborative and dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and creativity.

How to Stand Out

Ensure your resume and cover letter highlight specific examples of building and scaling vendor programs, as well as your experience with sales operations and vendor management.
Develop a strong understanding of Openai's products and how they intersect with the Ads ecosystem to demonstrate your passion for the role.
Prepare to talk about your experience with data-driven decision making and how you've influenced stakeholders in previous roles.
Show a keen interest in leveraging AI and automation to enhance operational efficiency and be ready to discuss potential strategies for implementing these technologies.
Be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying and solving systemic operational challenges and how you've driven cross-functional solutions in the past.
Consider creating a portfolio or preparing case studies that demonstrate your skills in vendor management, sales operations, and operational excellence.
When negotiating salary, be prepared to discuss your expectations based on industry standards and your unique qualifications for the role.

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