Director, Global Category Lead - Enterprise Software

About the role

Lead the worldwide procurement strategy for enterprise software at a leading global financial institution, shaping category direction, driving commercial excellence and partnering with senior technology leaders across regions.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a multi‑year global enterprise software category strategy aligned with technology roadmaps and business priorities.
• Monitor market trends, supplier developments and technology innovations to identify opportunities for rationalising suppliers and consolidating spend.
• Act as the global subject‑matter expert for enterprise software procurement, supporting major transformation programmes with commercial expertise.
• Lead high‑value sourcing initiatives, balancing cost, risk, resilience, performance and innovation.
• Conduct competitive sourcing events, supplier selection and commercial negotiations to secure strategic agreements and achieve savings.
• Establish executive‑level relationships with key enterprise software suppliers, driving accountability and performance.
• Partner with Cloud Engineering, Network Architecture, Operations and Cybersecurity stakeholders to influence technology planning and demand management.
• Drive category governance, ensuring alignment with risk, resilience and regulatory requirements.

Required profile

• Minimum 12 years of experience in technology procurement, strategic sourcing or category management within large multinational organisations.
• Proven track record of managing complex sourcing initiatives and negotiating strategic agreements with major software and infrastructure suppliers.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Technology or a related discipline.
• Experience leading executive‑level engagements with suppliers such as IBM, AWS, Cisco, NTT, Kyndryl, HPE or Dell.
• Strong commercial and financial contractual expertise to optimise total cost of ownership while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Ability to operate effectively across diverse cultural settings in a global financial institution.

Required skills

• IBM
• AWS
• Cisco
• NTT
• Kyndryl
• HPE
• Dell