At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global procurement strategies for Travel and Fleet, ensuring operational excellence and sustainability.
- Company: Join a top-ranked employer focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and flexible work arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with opportunities for career progression.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in procurement or category management, with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Remote role with occasional travel to London office; great team culture.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Overview
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Global Category Director, Travel & Fleet is responsible for defining, leading, and executing the global procurement and operational strategy for all Travel and Fleet-related categories across JLL’s corporate spend. This role ensures delivery of best value, operational excellence, risk management, and sustainability outcomes to support JLL’s global business objectives. The role reports to the Head of Corporate Procurement and is a key member of the Corporate Procurement Leadership Team. It requires close collaboration with senior stakeholders across Finance, ESG, Business Line COOs, and Global Operations, and leadership of a global operational team supporting JLL’s travel programme and fleet strategy.
Major Responsibilities
- Category Strategy & Procurement Leadership
- Establish, lead, and execute global category strategies for Travel and Fleet, including strategic sourcing, supplier management, commercial frameworks, and demand management, aligned to JLL’s corporate objectives.
- Develop and implement sourcing and category management strategies to optimise cost, service quality, risk, and sustainability outcomes across all Travel and Fleet spend.
- Lead complex global and regional sourcing initiatives, including supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and contract structuring for critical, high-value arrangements.
- Monitor global market trends, supplier capabilities, and emerging innovations to inform procurement strategy and maintain JLL’s influence within the Travel and Fleet supply markets.
- Travel Operations & Service Delivery
- Oversee the global travel operations function, ensuring the effective delivery of travel services supporting over 140,000 business trips annually.
- Manage the cost centre budget, ensuring cost control, transparency, and value delivery while maintaining a high-quality traveller experience.
- Ensure robust governance, policies, and controls are in place for Travel & Expense (T&E) activity, aligned with JLL standards and compliance requirements.
- Partner with Finance and P2P stakeholders to drive alignment across procurement, payment, and expense management processes.
- ESG, Sustainability & Fleet Transformation
- Lead emissions data collection and reporting across Travel and Fleet categories to support JLL’s ESG and regulatory reporting requirements.
- Partner with ESG leaders and stakeholders to develop and deliver strategies that support JLL’s sustainability commitments, including the transition towards a zero-emissions fleet.
- Embed sustainability criteria into sourcing, supplier management, and operational decision-making across the category portfolio.
- Stakeholder & Business Partnership
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including Business Line COOs, providing insight, reporting, and recommendations on Travel & Fleet spend, performance, and risk.
- Support Business Lines with reporting, monitoring, and optimisation of T&E spend, ensuring alignment with global policy and business objectives.
- Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Finance, ESG, HR, Legal, Risk, and Technology to deliver integrated outcomes.
- Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and develop a strategic and operationally focused team, driving high performance, engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Set clear objectives, performance metrics, and development plans for team members.
- Contribute to the evolution of the Corporate Procurement function, supporting capability building, governance, and best practice as a member of the procurement leadership team.
- Governance, Risk & Reporting
- Establish and maintain strong supplier governance, performance management, and risk mitigation frameworks.
- Report on category performance, savings, value delivery, ESG outcomes, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Ensure procurement policies, standards, and controls are consistently applied across all Travel and Fleet activities.
- Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested by your line manager.
Candidate Specification & Key Selection Criteria
- University degree or equivalent
- CIPS/ISM accreditation is preferable
- 5-10 years’ relevant experience in procurement, category management, or commercial leadership roles, with significant exposure to Travel and/or Fleet categories.
- Experience working within a large, global, matrixed organisation.
- Proven experience managing and leading operational teams in a global or regional environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex sourcing initiatives and managing strategic supplier relationships.
- Experience partnering with Finance, ESG, and senior business stakeholders.
Critical Competencies for Success
- Strategic & Commercial Acumen
- Strong understanding of global Travel and Fleet markets, cost drivers, and commercial models.
- Ability to develop and execute category strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Financial & Analytical Skills
- Strong financial analysis capability, including budgeting, cost modelling, and value tracking.
- Ability to analyse complex data sets and translate insights into clear recommendations.
- Stakeholder Influence & Leadership
- Proven ability to influence and engender trust with senior stakeholders across multiple geographies.
- Strong leadership presence, with the ability to lead through change and ambiguity.
- Excellent relationship management and communication skills.
- Operational Excellence
- Experience balancing strategic objectives with operational delivery and service quality.
- Strong governance mindset, with experience implementing policies, controls, and performance frameworks.
- Sustainability & ESG Awareness
- Working knowledge of ESG principles, emissions reporting, and sustainability considerations within Travel and Fleet categories.
Location & Reporting
- Location: United Kingdom, London area. Remote role with flexible availability to travel to the London office 2–3 times per month.
- Reporting structure: This role reports into the Head of Corporate Procurement.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary
- Private Medical Insurance
- Flexible work arrangements (hybrid work option)
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Ranked #13 in the UK Best Employers index by the Financial Times
- Electric Car Scheme
- Great opportunities for long-term career progression
Global Category Director, Travel & Fleet employer: JLL
Contact Detail:
JLL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Category Director, Travel & Fleet
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in procurement and sustainability.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Category Director, Travel & Fleet
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Global Category Director role. Highlight your experience in procurement and category management, especially in Travel and Fleet. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in procurement and how they relate to JLL’s objectives. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've developed teams and driven performance in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead us to success!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at JLL
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Travel and Fleet categories. Understand current market trends, key suppliers, and emerging innovations. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Global Category Director, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight any experience you have in driving performance and engagement within a global context.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions about complex sourcing initiatives and supplier management. Think of specific examples where you've navigated challenges in procurement or negotiations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Align with JLL’s Values
Familiarise yourself with JLL’s commitment to sustainability and ESG principles. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals, especially regarding emissions reporting and sustainable sourcing. Showing alignment with their values will set you apart from other candidates.