At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global sourcing strategy for HR and Professional Services, driving value and minimising risk.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on innovative procurement solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape organisational strategy.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and influence across the organisation.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on sourcing decisions that drive financial performance and operational resilience.
- Qualifications: 16+ years in sourcing strategies, strong negotiation skills, and exceptional communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
As Procurement Sourcing Senior Director, you will have end-to-end responsibility for global sourcing strategy across a large and complex portfolio within the Professional Services and Human Resources categories—including recruitment, benefits, contract labour, payroll services, consulting, insurance, and relevant advisory services. You will set long-term category strategies aligned with organisational priorities, regulatory requirements, and shifting market conditions. Acting as the senior commercial authority for these categories, you will shape sourcing decisions that impact financial performance, risk profile, and operational resilience. This role is focused entirely on category leadership and commercial strategy. You will lead supplier portfolio strategy, negotiation frameworks, governance structures, and value delivery across all regions, working closely with senior stakeholders in HR, Finance, Risk, Legal, and other functions.
Core Responsibilities
- Global Category Strategy & Commercial Leadership: Own the global sourcing strategy for HR and Professional Services categories. Develop forward-looking roadmaps based on market intelligence, regulatory changes, enterprise demand, and strategic priorities. Lead major negotiations, contract structuring, and supplier selection to optimise overall value and minimise risk.
- Supplier Portfolio Governance & Risk Management: Build and manage a global supplier ecosystem that balances scale, specialisation, operational resilience, and compliance. Define governance frameworks, KPIs, executive-level supplier reviews, and risk mitigation structures to protect service quality, cost discipline, and contractual integrity.
- Enterprise Stakeholder Partnership: Serve as the senior commercial partner to leaders across HR, Finance, Legal, Risk, and other functions. Align category strategy with organisational objectives, influence decisions, and manage complex trade-offs across regions and business units. Establish credibility in high-stakes commercial discussions.
- Value Creation & Demand Optimisation: Deliver measurable value through cost optimisation, supplier performance improvements, contract harmonisation, and structured demand management. Identify opportunities for innovation and improved service delivery across the supplier landscape.
- Market Intelligence & Category Innovation: Maintain deep knowledge of global market trends, supplier developments, regulatory shifts, and new delivery models across the HR and Professional Services ecosystem. Use insights to refine long-term category strategy and strengthen competitive positioning.
YOU’RE GOOD AT
- Setting organisation-wide category strategies and turning them into actionable sourcing plans across complex service portfolios.
- Leading high-value, complex negotiations across HR and Professional Services categories with a focus on commercial value, risk management, and long-term resilience.
- Providing senior-level leadership to cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, highly matrixed global environment.
- Influencing senior stakeholders and gaining alignment across multiple regions and business units, often without formal authority.
- Applying strong commercial judgement, using data and market insights to make balanced strategic trade-offs.
- Designing and overseeing supplier governance structures that ensure transparency, compliance, and effective risk management.
- Operating with executive presence and representing Procurement convincingly in senior-level discussions.
YOU BRING (EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS)
- Bachelor’s degree in a business-related or analytical field (e.g., Marketing, Economics, Accounting, Supply Chain). Advanced degrees (MBA, JD) or equivalent strategic sourcing experience are a plus.
- 16+ years of experience developing and delivering sourcing strategies across multiple categories within a complex, global organisation.
- Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen.
- Exceptional communication skills with executive presence.
- Strong relationship-building abilities and experience influencing senior leaders in high-stakes scenarios.
- Pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach and a high degree of professionalism.
- Structured thinking with the ability to turn concepts into clear proposals or business cases.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining strategic focus.
- Experience in both strategic and operational procurement initiatives.
- Exposure to supplier relationship management (SRM) programmes and supplier risk mitigation.
Senior Director, Client Services in London employer: The Consultancy Group (London)
Contact Detail:
The Consultancy Group (London) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Client Services in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Senior Director role. Personal referrals can make all the difference, so don’t be shy about asking for introductions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their sourcing strategies and recent developments in HR and Professional Services. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in their operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead high-stakes discussions. Role-play with a friend or mentor to refine your approach and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you stand out, and applying directly shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to get noticed by our hiring team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Client Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in global sourcing strategy and category leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since this role involves leading high-value negotiations, be sure to include examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. We love seeing concrete results that demonstrate your commercial acumen!
Highlight Stakeholder Engagement: This position requires strong relationship-building abilities. Share instances where you've influenced senior stakeholders or managed complex trade-offs. We want to know how you’ve navigated high-stakes discussions in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Consultancy Group (London)
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the HR and Professional Services categories. Research current trends, challenges, and innovations in these areas. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for High-Stakes Negotiations
Since this role involves leading major negotiations, practice articulating your negotiation strategies and outcomes from past experiences. Be ready to discuss how you've optimised value and minimised risk in previous roles, as this will showcase your commercial acumen.
✨Build Your Stakeholder Influence Story
Think about examples where you've influenced senior stakeholders without formal authority. Prepare to share these stories during the interview, highlighting your relationship-building skills and how you navigated complex trade-offs across regions and business units.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you turn high-level category strategies into actionable plans. Use specific examples to illustrate your structured thinking and ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a strategic focus. This will show that you can handle the complexities of the role.