Software Category Manager

JLL; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical insurance

Hybrid working

Enhanced pension scheme

Electric car scheme

Career progression

Job summary

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) in London is seeking a senior Category Manager for Software and Data Subscriptions. You will own global category strategies, coordinate with regional leads, and drive cost savings and supplier partnerships through rigorous sourcing and governance.

The role emphasizes strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and cross-functional collaboration with IT, finance, and operations.

Qualifications

• Deep strategic sourcing experience across software, SaaS and data services.
• Proven ability to lead complex procurement projects from strategy to execution.
• Strong commercial acumen and supplier relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Shape global software and data subscription strategies.
• Own full category including licensing and data subscriptions.
• Lead RFPs, evaluations, and contract negotiations.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

TCO analysis

Supplier performance mgmt

Stakeholder management

Education

MBA

CPSM

CIPS

Tools

AI in procurement

Job description

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented peopleand empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

The software and data our teams rely on every day are only as strong as the sourcing strategy behind them. As Category Manager, Software and Data Subscriptions, you’ll own the global strategy for enterprise software, software as a service (SaaS) and market data, reporting to the Category Director, Software. You’ll work with senior technology leaders and application owners across our regions to secure the right tools at the right value. It’s a senior, highly visible role where your commercial judgement turns into measurable savings and stronger supplier partnerships. The role is based in London with hybrid working.

What you’ll do

• Shape and maintain short-, mid- and long-term global category strategies for software and data subscriptions, aligned with JLL’s business strategy and technology roadmap.
• Own the full category: enterprise software, SaaS and enterprise licensing, and data and market subscriptions. For the data and market subscriptions, you’ll coordinate with the Professional Services category where the spend overlaps.
• Build demand plans with application owners and business stakeholders, spotting consolidation opportunities and emerging licensing and commercial models.
• Lead sourcing events from request for proposal (RFP) development through bid management, commercial evaluation and recommendation to contract signature. You’ll prepare and present contract documents in line with JLL’s Delegation of Authority.
• Deliver financial targets across cost savings, cost avoidance and added value, and keep an accurate savings tracker so stakeholders can see the value delivered.
• Rationalise the supply base, consolidate vendors and maintain a clear strategic supplier framework for the category.
• Build strategic relationships with key software publishers, SaaS providers and data vendors. You’ll run supplier relationship management with the Procurement Centre of Excellence, covering reviews, scorecards and agreed cadence, and complete third party risk management (TPRM) activity in line with the framework.
• Own the renewal calendar and support software asset management (SAM), including licence use and true-ups, so there are no unmanaged expiries or unplanned licence exposure.
• Track market trends, licensing models and pricing benchmarks to inform every sourcing decision.
• Champion best practice, process improvement and the adoption of sourcing tools, while keeping all activity in line with JLL procurement policies and ethical standards.

What we’re looking for

• Deep strategic sourcing expertise in software, SaaS and/or data and information services, with a record of delivering category strategies across multiple regions.
• Proven ability to lead complex, high-value procurement projects from strategy through to execution.
• Strong commercial acumen, including contract negotiation, total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis and supplier performance management.
• The credibility and presence to build lasting relationships with senior technology and business stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach to working across procurement, IT, finance and operations.
• A track record of using AI to work faster and deliver better results.
• Familiarity with major enterprise software publishers, SaaS licensing models, SAM practices and licence true-up processes.
• A relevant degree in business, supply chain, information technology or a related field. An MBA or a CPSM, CIPS or equivalent certification is welcome.
• Experience sourcing market data or research subscriptions is a plus, as is a background in corporate real estate, facilities management or professional services.
• An ownership mindset, with the discipline to hit targets and the curiosity to keep improving how the category works.

What you can expect from us

You’ll join a business ranked #13 in the UK Best Employers index by the Financial Times, with a package built around your wellbeing and growth:

• Competitive base salary
• Private medical insurance
• Flexible working, with a hybrid option
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Electric car scheme
• Strong opportunities for long-term career progression

Location:

On-site –London, GBR

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you’repursuing.

JLL Privacy Notice

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely.

For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement.

For additional details please see our career site pages for each country.

Jones Lang LaSalle ('JLL') is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at [e-mail]. This email is only to request an accommodation.