Senior Lead for IT Services

Proxima Group; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous training and development

Flexible hybrid working

Global opportunities with travel

Job summary

Proxima Group is seeking a senior IT procurement leader to drive global sourcing strategies across IT Services, including consulting, managed services, outsourcing, systems integration, and application development. The role involves leading multi-country teams, shaping commercial terms, and delivering measurable cost savings and value creation for major clients.

The ideal candidate will bring 8+ years in global IT procurement, deep knowledge of IT Services categories, and proven ability to

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in global IT procurement, with deep category expertise in IT Services.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage global teams across complex client engagements.
• Develop and execute category strategies across IT Services, including professional services, managed services, outsourcing, systems integration, and application development and support.
• Lead complex IT Services sourcing and commercial initiatives, from third-party strategies to negotiation, contracting, and implementation.
• Assess supplier landscapes, pricing structures, and terms to identify cost savings and performance improvements.
• Build structured fact bases and translate data into actionable client insights and recommendations.
• Engage senior client stakeholders across Technology, Procurement, Finance, and business units.

Skills

Global IT procurement

IT Services categories

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Sourcing strategy

Data analysis

Job description

What you'll do

Lead and manage global teams across complex client engagements.

Develop and execute category strategies across IT Services, including professional services, managed services, outsourcing, systems integration, and application development and support.

Lead complex IT Services sourcing and commercial initiatives, from developing third-party strategies and conducting market assessments through competitive sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and implementation.

Assess supplier landscapes, delivery models, pricing structures, and commercial terms to identify opportunities for cost reduction, value creation, and improved supplier performance.

Build structured fact bases and translate complex information into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for clients.

Analyze data to inform decisions

Analyze IT Services spend, supplier portfolios, rate cards, resource models, and commercial structures to identify savings, consolidation, and performance improvement opportunities.

Apply market intelligence, benchmarking, and commercial analysis to evaluate supplier proposals, challenge existing arrangements, and support fact-based negotiations.

Develop robust business cases, support benefits tracking, and maintain a clear view of progress against agreed delivery and value targets.

Ensure analyses are accurate, commercially focused, and designed to support senior-level decision-making.

Engage and collaborate with stakeholders

Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders across Technology, Procurement, Finance, and the wider business to understand requirements, challenge thinking, and align objectives.

Lead engagement with IT Services suppliers across sourcing events, commercial negotiations, contracting, and supplier performance discussions.

Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and credibly to senior client stakeholders.

Lead workshops, working sessions, and key client interactions, bringing structure, challenge, and commercial insight to discussions.

Work in a global, flexible model

Operate effectively in a global, hybrid environment, balancing client, home, and office-based work.

Travel as required to support client delivery and team collaboration.

What you'll bring

Experience and skills

8+ years of experience in global IT procurement, with deep category expertise in IT Services.

Strong knowledge of indirect procurement, ideally gained in a consultancy environment or working alongside consultants; relevant industry experience will also be considered.

Deep subject matter expertise across IT Services categories such as professional services, managed services, outsourcing, systems integration, application development and maintenance, and technology consulting.

Strong understanding of IT Services commercial and delivery models, including statements of work, rate cards, time-and-materials, fixed-price, managed service, and outcome-based arrangements.

Demonstrated experience leading complex IT Services sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, and commercial optimization programs.

Experience working with major global and regional IT Services providers and navigating complex, multi-supplier environments.

Experience managing significant spend portfolios, ideally exceeding $50M annually.

Consulting mindset

Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and client relationship skills, with the confidence to engage and influence at senior levels.

A proactive, ownership-oriented approach, with the ability to independently lead complex workstreams and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Strong commercial judgement, problem-solving skills, and the ability to turn analysis into practical recommendations.

Comfort operating in a fast-paced, delivery-focused consulting environment and managing multiple priorities.

Flexibility and growth orientation

Willingness to travel as required.

Curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to continually developing your expertise.

Motivation to build a long-term consulting career in a growing global firm

WHY JOIN PROXIMA?

A bold, collaborative culture

Our culture is one of our greatest strengths. We are inclusive, supportive, and ambitious, with a flat structure that encourages collaboration and early responsibility. You will join a friendly, open, and high-performing team.

A RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

We are committed to being a responsible business, with a strong focus on wellbeing, sustainability, and social responsibility. Our people are at the heart of our success, and we invest in their growth and development.

Growth, learning & opportunity

You will benefit from continuous training and development, clear career progression, and exposure to a wide range of clients and industries. As a fast-expanding global company, Proxima offers meaningful opportunities to shape both your career and the future of the firm.

What we offer:

• Continuous training and development
• Clear career progression
• Competitive compensation and generous PTO
• Flexible hybrid working
• Exposure to a wide variety of clients and industries
• Global opportunities and great office locations
• A strong, people-centred company culture