Category Manager, Global Real Estate & Construction Procurement

Aquent is thrilled to partner with a premier global investment management organization, a leader dedicated to empowering clients worldwide to achieve their long-term financial aspirations. Renowned for its deep 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. This is an unparalleled opportunity to leverage your expertise and leave a tangible, global mark on the operational efficiency and physical presence of a leading financial enterprise, with Aquent supporting your journey every step of the way.

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 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 global presence and operational efficiency.

Impact You'll Make

• 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 that directly enhance operational efficiency.
• Lead all sourcing activities for critical capital projects worldwide, encompassing consultant selection, design services, owner's representative services, furniture procurement, general contractors, and specialty vendors. Your expertise will manage competitive processes with clear evaluation criteria, balancing cost, quality, schedule, and risk for optimal global outcomes.
• Drive high-stakes commercial negotiations and execute contracts for all design and construction-related agreements. You will 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 across the enterprise.
• Establish and oversee critical governance programs for strategic design, construction, and workplace vendors. Through regular performance reviews and comprehensive scorecards, you will collaborate with suppliers to foster continuous improvement, innovation, and efficient issue resolution, strengthening key partnerships.
• Act as a trusted commercial advisor to project managers, workplace planning teams, design leaders, and business stakeholders throughout the entire project lifecycle. You will provide critical guidance on budgeting, forecasting, change orders, and claims management, ensuring all procurement activities align seamlessly with approved capital plans.
• Ensure strict adherence to corporate procurement policies, delegated authority, and financial controls. You will champion ethical sourcing, transparency, and contribute to initiatives around supplier diversity, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. Your work will leverage enterprise procurement and sourcing technology platforms to manage pipeline visibility, event execution, approvals, supplier records, and audit-ready documentation.
• Build strong, trusted partnerships with senior business leaders, project sponsors, and cross-functional stakeholders. You will influence strategic sourcing decisions through data-driven analysis and expert commercial judgment, while also mentoring team members and contributing 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 progressive strategic sourcing, procurement, or commercial management experience.
• Minimum 5 years of direct experience supporting corporate real estate, workplace, design, or construction programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading complex RFPs and global sourcing initiatives.
• Proven experience negotiating professional services agreements, construction contracts, consulting agreements, and master service agreements.
• Strong financial acumen, robust contract management expertise, and superior commercial negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Extensive experience supporting global office portfolios and enterprise workplace programs.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, PMP, MRICS, CCM, or LEED.
• Familiarity with various construction delivery methods including Design-Bid-Build, CMAR, Design-Build, and Integrated Project Delivery.
• Experience working across diverse global regions including North America, EMEA, APAC, and Latin America.