Senior Category Manager - IT&T

UCL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days' holiday

Pension scheme

Relocation support

Cycle to work scheme

On-site nursery

Gym access

Job summary

UCL is seeking a commercially astute procurement professional to lead category strategies for IT & Telecoms. You will partner with senior stakeholders, drive value, ensure compliance, and deliver innovative procurement solutions across a major university.

The role offers exposure to senior decision-makers and opportunities to impact strategic procurement while advancing best practices in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant procurement and category management experience in large, stakeholder-rich environments.
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure and procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing category strategies aligned to objectives.
• Building relationships with senior stakeholders and acting as the primary commercial contact.
• Leading complex procurement exercises, tenders, frameworks and supplier competitions.
• Negotiating contracting strategies to secure excellent commercial outcomes.
• Providing expert advice on procurement, commercial, contractual and compliance matters.
• Driving savings, efficiencies and continuous improvement across the category.
• Identifying opportunities to innovate and drive new ways of working.
• Developing high-performing teams and fostering commercial excellence.

Skills

Category management

Procurement

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Excel expertise

Education

Degree-level education

Professional experience

Tools

Advanced Excel

IT procurement knowledge

Job description

At UCL, we're proud to be London's Global University.

With more than 18,000 staff and over 51,000 students from more than 150 countries, UCL is one of the world's leading multidisciplinary universities, renowned for both groundbreaking research and exceptional teaching.

Our Commercial & Procurement Services function manages over £900 million of third-party spend annually and plays a critical role in supporting UCL's ambitious strategic objectives. Through effective sourcing, supplier management and commercial leadership, we help enable world‑class education and research while delivering value, sustainability and innovation across the institution.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Software and Infrastructure Category, IT & Telecoms, you'll act as the commercial lead for your category area, partnering with senior stakeholders across UCL to develop and deliver category strategies that support both institutional priorities and commercial objectives.

You'll be responsible for identifying opportunities to drive value, improve supplier performance and deliver innovative commercial solutions, while ensuring compliance, sustainability and best practice procurement principles remain at the forefront.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and implementing category strategies aligned to stakeholder and organisational objectives
• Building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and serving as the primary commercial contact for your category
• Leading complex procurement exercises, tenders, framework agreements and supplier competitions
• Developing and executing negotiation and contracting strategies to secure excellent commercial outcomes
• Providing expert advice on procurement, commercial, contractual and compliance matters
• Driving savings, efficiencies and continuous improvement initiatives across the category
• Identifying opportunities to innovate and introduce new ways of working
• Supporting the development of high‑performing teams and fostering a culture of commercial excellence

This role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to influence strategic decision‑making within one of the world's leading universities.

A full job description is attached to this advert.

About you

We're looking for a commercially astute procurement professional with a strong track record of delivering complex procurement and category management solutions in large, stakeholder‑rich environments.

You'll combine commercial expertise with excellent relationship‑building skills and the confidence to operate effectively with senior leaders across a complex organisation.

You'll bring:

• Degree‑level education or equivalent professional experience
• Knowledge and understanding of IT infrastructure
• Significant commercial and senior procurement experience
• Experience developing and implementing category and sourcing strategies
• Strong procurement, tendering and contract management expertise
• Proven success delivering complex negotiations and commercial outcomes
• Experience working within large, complex and decentralised organisations
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to build compelling business cases and drive change through to delivery
• A collaborative and pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Advanced Excel skills

It would be advantageous if you also have:

• Experience within communications, marketing or external engagement‑related procurement
• CIPS membership or progression towards professional accreditation
• Experience leading teams and developing procurement professionals
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

What we offer

As well as exciting opportunities, UCL offers a range of great benefits.

• 41 days' holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• Option to purchase 5 additional days' annual leave
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and immigration loan
• Relocation support for eligible posts
• On‑site nursery and gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Staff Support Service (employee assistance programme)
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL's workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and - for Grade 9 and 10 roles - women.