Dave Higham

IT Vendor Management Director

Professional Overview
Dave Higham is an accomplished IT Vendor Management professional with over 15 years of experience driving strategic sourcing and vendor governance initiatives. He currently serves as the Director of the IT Vendor Management Office at Humana, a leading healthcare insurance provider. Higham leverages his deep expertise in vendor relationship management, contract negotiation, and service level optimization to deliver measurable value for his organization.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As the Director of the IT Vendor Management Office at Humana, Higham is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company's vendor relationships and strategic sourcing activities. In this role, he has implemented robust governance frameworks, renegotiated key vendor contracts to achieve significant cost savings, and driven process improvements that have enhanced service delivery and operational efficiency. Under Higham's leadership, the IT Vendor Management Office has become a strategic partner to Humana's IT and business stakeholders, delivering high-impact solutions that support the organization's growth objectives.

Career Progression
Prior to joining Humana, Higham held senior vendor management roles at several leading organizations, including American Express Global Business Travel, Information Services Group (ISG), and Aetna. In these positions, he consistently demonstrated his ability to optimize vendor relationships, negotiate favorable contract terms, and drive continuous improvement in service delivery. Higham's progressive career trajectory is a testament to his expertise in aligning vendor capabilities with organizational needs and delivering measurable business impact.

Academic Background
Higham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University, where he graduated cum laude. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a member of the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP).

Areas of Expertise

• IT vendor management and governance

• Strategic sourcing and contract negotiation

• Service level optimization and performance management

• Vendor relationship management and collaboration

• Process improvement and operational efficiency

• Project management and implementation

Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Higham has led several high-profile initiatives that have delivered significant value to his employers. At American Express Global Business Travel, he spearheaded a comprehensive vendor consolidation program that resulted in over $10 million in annual cost savings. At Aetna, he played a key role in the successful integration of Coventry Health Care's vendor ecosystem, ensuring seamless service delivery during the post-acquisition transition.

Conclusion
With his extensive experience, robust industry knowledge, and proven track record of success, Dave Higham is a respected leader in the IT vendor management field. In his current role at Humana, he continues to drive strategic initiatives that enhance the organization's competitive edge and position it for long-term growth.