Global Category Manager in St James

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Below covers everything you need to know about what this opportunity entails, as well as what is expected from applicants. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world-class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you've got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you're looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

If you like turning spend data into smart sourcing decisions, this role is for you. As our Global Category Manager, you'll join JLL's global Corporate Procurement team, which manages over $1.2 billion in annual spend, as our marketing spend grows toward $250 million by 2030. You'll build category strategies and strong commercial cases, with a focus on meetings and events, and bring new supplier ideas into our marketing supply chain. You'll also help us capture the value AI is creating as agencies change how they work and price. Along the way, you'll partner with colleagues across regions and functions and build your expertise across a broad marketing portfolio.

What you'll do:

• Help shape and deliver global category strategies and sub-category responsibilities, from gathering business requirements to stakeholder management and delivery, feeding insights into global workstreams and responding to ad hoc requests.
• Develop regional and local strategies that fit global frameworks, and make sure they follow global toolkits, governance and policies.
• Support sourcing from start to finish: supplier due diligence and assessment, request for proposal (RFP) and bid management, contract negotiation and transition into delivery.
• Work with business partners to manage agency relationships and commercial performance, so we deliver full contract value, including efficiency gains as agencies adopt generative AI.
• Use AI and advanced analytics to benchmark agency costs, spot pricing anomalies and quantify efficiency opportunities from new technology.
• Own savings and benefits reconciliation, making sure savings are captured, validated and approved through the right process.
• Support supplier diversity, sustainability and ethical sourcing across agency partnerships, and manage supplier risk with clear mitigation plans.
• Spot and carry out process improvements, including updating outdated policies and procedures.

What we're looking for:

• A degree and a background in strategic procurement, category management or management consulting, with exposure to marketing or professional services categories.
• A solid grasp of procurement fundamentals: sourcing methods, contract and pricing negotiation, and savings calculation and validation.
• Confidence using AI tools and advanced analytics for spend analysis, benchmarking and insight.
• The ability to work with large datasets and build clear, useful reports and dashboards, backed by strong Excel and MS Office skills.
• Strong project management, analytical and presentation skills.
• A collaborative, influencing style that helps you build lasting relationships with internal and external partners and work well across regional and global stakeholders in a matrix environment.
• An entrepreneurial mindset, sharp business acumen and a commitment to ethical sourcing, with a record of delivering results in challenging environments.
• A plus: experience in marketing category management, agency-side roles or consulting; knowledge of meetings and events sourcing and agency cost structures; an understanding of how AI and automation are changing marketing costs and workflows; or a master's degree (MBA, or MS in a field such as Supply Chain Management or Procurement).

What you can expect from us:

• You'll join a team that invests in your growth, rewards your work and gives you room to build a career with us.
• Here's what we offer: Competitive base salary, Enhanced pension scheme, Private medical insurance, Electric car scheme, Hybrid working, with two to three days a week in the office, Great opportunities for long-term career progression.
• Recognition as a great place to work: ranked number 13 in the Financial Times UK Best Employers index.
• Location: London, UK is preferred. We'll also consider other locations in Europe like Portugal, Spain or Poland, Warsaw and the U.S. Dallas, Chicago and Nashville.

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet all the requirements. We're interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!