Category Manager, Global Real Estate & Construction Procurement [212579]

Aquent is proud to partner with a premier global investment management organization that is dedicated to empowering clients to achieve their long-term financial aspirations. Renowned for its in-depth research, enduring perspective, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional value, this organization offers a stable and impactful environment where strategic decisions truly drive global success.

Are you ready to make a profound impact on the global footprint of a leading financial enterprise? We are seeking a visionary procurement leader to take the helm in shaping the physical infrastructure of our client?s dynamic global operations. This pivotal role will empower you to spearhead strategic sourcing and procurement for an expansive global real estate portfolio, directly influencing the design, construction, and operation of workplaces worldwide. You?ll be instrumental in optimizing costs, ensuring unparalleled quality, and driving innovation across all capital projects, from initial architectural concepts to final construction and cutting-edge workplace technology. This is an exceptional opportunity to leverage your commercial acumen and strategic foresight to implement best-in-class procurement practices, leaving a tangible mark on our global presence and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Category Leadership: Develop and execute comprehensive global category strategies for design, construction, project management, furniture, workplace technology, and facilities services. You will conduct in-depth spend analysis, market intelligence, and risk assessments to pinpoint significant sourcing opportunities and lead optimization initiatives.

• Global Project Procurement: Lead all sourcing activities for capital projects worldwide. This includes consultant selection, design services, owner?s representative services, furniture procurement, general contractors, and specialty vendors. You will manage competitive processes (RFIs, RFQs, RFPs) with clear evaluation criteria, balancing cost, quality, schedule, and risk for optimal outcomes.

• Commercial Negotiation & Contract Management: Drive commercial negotiations and execute contracts for all design and construction-related agreements. Partner closely with legal and risk management teams to establish robust contract standards, negotiate favorable terms, and ensure appropriate risk allocation, insurance, and performance obligations.

• Supplier Relationship Management: Establish and oversee governance programs for strategic design, construction, and workplace vendors. Conduct regular performance reviews, develop comprehensive scorecards, and collaborate with suppliers to foster continuous improvement, innovation, and efficient issue resolution.

• Capital Project Partnership: Act as a trusted commercial advisor to project managers, workplace planning teams, design leaders, and business stakeholders throughout the entire project lifecycle. Provide critical guidance on budgeting, forecasting, change orders, and claims management, ensuring all procurement activities align seamlessly with approved capital plans.

• Governance, Risk & Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to corporate procurement policies, delegated authority, and financial controls. Champion ethical sourcing, transparency, and contribute to initiatives around supplier diversity, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. You will utilize enterprise procurement and sourcing technology platforms to manage sourcing pipeline visibility, event execution, approvals, supplier records, and audit-ready documentation.

• Leadership & Stakeholder Influence: Build strong, trusted partnerships with senior business leaders, project sponsors, and cross-functional stakeholders. Influence strategic sourcing decisions through data-driven analysis and expert commercial judgment. You will also mentor team members and contribute to the evolution of procurement best practices within a complex, global matrixed organization.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, or a related field.

• 10+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, or commercial management experience.

• Minimum 5 years of direct experience supporting corporate real estate, workplace, design, or construction programs.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex RFPs and global sourcing initiatives.

• Proven experience negotiating professional services agreements, construction contracts, consulting agreements, and master service agreements.

• Strong financial acumen, contract management expertise, and commercial negotiation skills.

• Robust stakeholder management capabilities within a matrixed global organization.

• Proficiency with sourcing intake, contract lifecycle, procurement workflow, and supplier management technology platforms, including comparable enterprise systems.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience within asset management, banking, insurance, private equity, or other highly regulated financial services organizations.

• Experience supporting global office portfolios and enterprise workplace programs.

• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, PMP, MRICS, CCM, or LEED.

• Familiarity with construction delivery methods including Design-Bid-Build, CMAR, Design-Build, and Integrated Project Delivery.

• Experience working across North America, EMEA, APAC, and Latin America.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world?s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We?re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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This client is one of our largest financial services clients. But don?t let that stop you from reading further!

We place so many freelancers here who consistently tell us its one of the best places they?ve worked. Why? The teams, the culture, the management, and most recently, the client?s willingness to recognize that it was important to step up to the digital demands of the marketplace:

• A new CMO and high level digital leadership that have transitioned in from top technology, retail and CPG companies

• Transitioning their marketing structure to Agile methodology to be able to deliver valuable content to its audiences faster

• They even followed this up with a floor remodel, to support the methodology, creativity & collaboration

Aquent combines proprietary technology and award-winning recruiters to match elite marketing, creative, and design professionals with world-class companies.

Our eligible talent have access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We?re about creating an inclusive environment?one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

We hear often that the constant here is change. The company is consistently trying new approaches that they think will improve not only their product offerings but the worklife as well. If you?re used to ?going with the flow?, this is a great opportunity for you!

These are key elements to be able to walk away with and add to your resume, especially if you?re coming from a traditional marketing structure. What a great way to help transition your career in this trending direction!

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