Global Technology Category Manager in London

The Global Technology Category Manager is accountable for leading the strategy, sourcing, negotiation across all technology-related spend categories. This includes infrastructure, software, hardware, cloud services, telecommunications, and digital transformation initiatives. The role ensures value delivery, contract optimisation, risk mitigation, and alignment with business and IT objectives. Based in London, the role reports into the Chief Procurement Officer, who is responsible for all Procurement activity across the organisation.

About Schroders: We are a global investment manager. We help institutions, intermediaries and individuals around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future. We have around 6,000 people on six continents and have been around for over 200 years but keep adapting as society and technology changes. What doesn’t change is our commitment to helping our clients, and society, prosper.

Group Procurement is the centre of excellence for active commercial management of all of Schroders’ supply chain, enabled by great people, disciplined cost management and seamless risk and compliance. Group Procurement sits within the COO Corporate Functions, supporting the wider business on all its third-party commercial activity. The team is made up of multiple disciplines across Market Data & Operations, Technology, Corporate Services, Third Party Risk and Procurement Operations. Located across London, Horsham, Singapore, and New York.

The base: We moved into our new HQ in the City of London in 2018. We’re close to our clients, in the heart of the UK’s financial centre and we have everything we need to work flexibly.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and execute the global IT procurement strategy in alignment with business and digital priorities.
• Lead and develop category teams to uplift capability in commercial, digital, and regulatory skills.
• Lead sourcing, negotiation, and contract execution for major IT projects (e.g., SaaS, data centres, cloud, networks, cybersecurity).
• Partner with CIO, CTO, and technology leaders to forecast demand and optimise vendor landscape.
• Partner with the other Category Heads to align Strategic category strategy with that for IT Technical Services (including application development and maintenance services).
• Establish strong governance and controls to manage supplier risk, compliance, and performance (including DORA and NIS2 considerations).
• Drive cost savings, innovation, and ESG compliance in technology sourcing.
• Maintain knowledge of market trends, licensing models, and key suppliers (e.g., Microsoft, AWS, Oracle).
• Collaborate with legal and risk teams on complex IT agreements, IP, and data protection clauses.
• Foster strong IT supplier relationships and support IT on supplier escalations and dispute resolution.
• Govern contract risks including IP, SLAs, liability, data protection, and business continuity.
• Support audit, risk, and regulatory inquiries related to technology sourcing.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policy and control frameworks.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need:

• IT procurement or technology sourcing experience in a financial services environment, with experience in leading IT Procurement professionals.
• Experience of delivering large / complex IT transactions, including system integration and / or material outsources.
• Deep understanding of cloud and hybrid infrastructure models, IT architecture, and SaaS licensing models (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce).
• Strong commercial and contractual expertise, particularly in software licensing, cybersecurity and cloud.
• Proven track record in multi-regional vendor management and regulatory compliance.
• Understanding of key IT risk and regulatory issues (cybersecurity, resilience, data sovereignty).
• Proven leadership and stakeholder engagement across C-suite and IT functions.
• Experience in eProcurement or contract lifecycle platforms (e.g., Oracle, Coupa, Icertis); understanding of data analytics for spend visibility.
• Excellent communicator with the gravitas to influence senior stakeholders and C-level sponsors.
• Demonstrated experience of transforming teams and uplifting capabilities.
• Commercial Acumen.
• Technology Literacy & Innovation Awareness.
• Strategic Leadership.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications that’ll help:

• Degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• Master's degree or MBA advantageous.
• Professional certifications in procurement (MCIPS) or technology (ITILCloud/FinOps, SAM) beneficial.

We recognise potential, whoever you are. Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought, facilitated by an inclusive culture, will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.