Senior Manager, Marketing Procurement

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Marketing Procurement Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that optimize third-party spend, mitigate risk, and maximize value to the organization. The role will have primary accountability for the Marketing category, representing a significant and strategically critical area of third-party spend. The successful candidate will also be expected to lead and support additional categories as required, ensuring balanced coverage and enterprise-wide value delivery. This role serves as an advisor to senior leaders across business lines, challenging demand, influencing sourcing decisions, and ensuring third-party engagements align with enterprise priorities, governance standards, and financial objectives. As a senior individual contributor, this position operates with significant autonomy and is expected to influence without formal authority, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and drive measurable impact through disciplined category management and supplier strategy execution.

The role is based in London and reports to the Director, Procurement & Contract Management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Category Strategy & Value Optimization

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned to enterprise financial and operational objectives.
• Conduct comprehensive spend analysis, market intelligence, and supplier benchmarking to identify cost optimization, risk mitigation, and value creation opportunities.
• Lead complex sourcing initiatives (RFP/RFI/RFQ), negotiations, and commercial structuring.
• Define total cost of ownership models and ensure sourcing decisions reflect long-term value
• Establish category performance metrics and continuously monitor realization of savings, service levels, and risk controls.
• Partner closely with Marketing and Brand leadership to align sourcing strategies with campaign objectives, speed-to-market requirements, and evolving channel strategies.
• Apply commercial rigor while balancing brand impact, innovation, and time-sensitive delivery needs typical of Marketing engagements.

Executive Stakeholder Influence & Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders regarding third-party strategy, vendor selection, and contract structures.
• Challenge business requirements constructively to ensure clarity of need, appropriate scope, and commercial discipline.
• Act as a strategic procurement partner to Marketing, Communications, and Growth teams, adapting governance and sourcing approaches to suit fast-paced, externally visible initiatives.
• Translate procurement strategy into clear, compelling recommendations tailored to executive audiences.
• Balance competing stakeholder priorities while maintaining adherence to policy, risk standards, and financial objectives.
• Influence outcomes without direct authority, building alignment through credibility, data, and structured reasoning.

Supplier & Alliance Management

• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships within assigned categories.
• In partnership with the business drive structured supplier governance, performance reviews, and risk management processes.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, service improvement, and commercial optimization through supplier collaboration.
• Support the business in addressing supplier performance issues decisively, including remediation planning and escalation where required.
• Ensure contracts, SLAs, and commercial terms appropriately allocate risk and protect organizational interests.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure third-party engagements align with procurement policies, risk management frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging market, regulatory, or supply risks impacting assigned categories.
• Provide expert guidance on policy interpretation and sourcing governance.
• Escalate complex or contentious issues appropriately while maintaining forward momentum.

Data-Driven Decision Support

• Leverage quantitative analysis to inform sourcing strategy, negotiation posture, and business case development.
• Build executive-ready materials that clearly articulate trade-offs, risk implications, and financial impact.
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex sourcing initiatives and negotiating high-value contracts.
• Proven track record influencing senior stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• Experience working within global, governance-driven, regulated, and/or matrixed environments preferred.
• Demonstrated experience within Marketing, Advertising, Media, or Brand-related spend categories is highly valued but not required.
• Strategic sourcing and category management
• Complex negotiation and commercial structuring, including knowledge of commercial models and contracting approaches commonly used in Marketing and agency environments
• Spend analytics and financial modeling
• Contracting principles and supplier governance
• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Executive presentation and verbal communication
• Policy interpretation and procurement compliance

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Energy to put in the hours of concentrated work necessary to achieve goals while maintaining a positive attitude

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional travel to CFA Institute meetings or conferences possible

LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

• Strategic - Connects ideas, resources and processes, with an outside-in perspective, to define winning solutions; employs a broad, global perspective and digital mindset to disrupt and transform
• Courageous -- Actively listens, asks questions, develops an independent conclusion and is willing to challenge the popular view for the betterment of the organization
• Authentic -- Reflects one's true self in all situations; clearly says what they mean and does what they say they will do
• Talent magnet -- Understands a candidate/employee's capabilities and matches those to the appropriate role/assignment; seeks out diversity of thought and experience; invests in development; mentors and coaches for success; builds and rewards high functioning teams
• Growth mindset -- Learns and grows through experimentation and failure; embraces challenges with persistence and resilience; demonstrates a willingness to risk failure and sees it as a key learning opportunity
• Accountable -- Understands role and takes full ownership of their own, their team's, and the organization's success or failure; achieves efficient, timely, quality results through the effective leadership of others
• Agile - Navigates complexity, challenges and ambiguity with confidence; creates an environment of learning to drive optimal outcomes; employs a continuous improvement mindset; encourages rapid, flexible response to change

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute are the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we drive professional growth, ethical behavior, and better markets. We care about our employees' well-being, offering industry-leading benefits like:

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family
• Generous leave and time off
• Competitive retirement plans
• Flexible work options
• Wellness, education, and support programs

If you feel this opportunity could be the next step in your career, we encourage you to click "Apply" and complete our three-minute application.

Be part of a team committed to putting investors first and growing economies. Follow us @CFAInstitute on LinkedIn and X.

Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

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