Your primary responsibility will be overseeing the contracting process for Professional Servies categories including Management Consulting, Tax and Audit, HR Services, Contingent Labor and Legal categories—critical areas representing a significant portion of IHG’s spend. This includes working with specialized and niche software, cloud, service providers, and outsourcing firms. You will lead projects within these sub-categories, managing sourcing, contracting, category management and negotiations for assigned events. Collaboration with onshore sourcing teams, business partners, and cross-functional teams in finance, legal, privacy, and other key stakeholder groups will be essential.

This is a unique opportunity for a skilled and experienced procurement professional to make a significant impact on IHG’s procurement strategy and drive measurable value for the business.

Your day to day

• Works closely with stakeholders and sourcing teams to understand Professional Services sourcing needs in multiple Professional Services sub-categories, ensuring alignment with stakeholder requirements.
• Leads sourcing, contracting, category management and negotiations on assigned projects and manages a range of projects aimed at driving total cost of ownership (TCO), innovation, continuous improvement, and other benefits for IHG.
• Help lead overall category planning and strategy for Professional Services
• Executes on global sourcing events and other similar initiatives.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities including market analysis, RFP/RFQ development, supplier evaluation, negotiation, and contract execution.
• Conduct in-depth research and benchmarking, using data and analytics to guide decision-making and lead successful negotiations.
• Contributes to creating, implementing and supporting Sourcing Management processes, while guiding and working with cross-functional teams.
• Effectively handles sourcing, demand management, and continuous improvement projects within IHG’s sourcing model to achieve business goals.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across business units (Finance, HR, Legal, IT, etc.) to ensure sourcing strategies support functional goals.
• Addresses issues raised by suppliers, stakeholders, and internal teams, escalating challenges to leadership when necessary.
• Adapts quickly to changes within IHG's evolving procurement processes, technology, and operating model.
• Collaborate with legal and business partners on contract development, including terms for SLAs, pricing, and performance metrics.
• Delivers increased value (savings, cost avoidance) and reduced risk, benefiting stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with corporate procurement policies, governance frameworks, and risk management procedures.

What we need from you

Professional Services Categories:

• Expertise in Management Consulting, Tax and Audit, HR Services, Legal and Contingent Labor categories, and their interrelationships.

Project Teams:

• Collaborates and delivers in matrixed team environments.
• Effective project management and customer-focused, results-oriented mindset.
• Analytical, insight-driven decision-making.
• Comfortable managing ambiguity in a fast-changing environment.

Procurement Function:

• Strong knowledge of Professional Services categories (e.g., consulting, legal, financial, HR, contingent workforce).
• Strong understanding of category plan implementation and procurement processes.
• Proven negotiation, influencing, and contract management capabilities.
• Skilled in legal aspects, RFI/P leadership, and procurement technicalities.
• High accountability, ownership, and agility to work fast without sacrificing quality or cost.
• Value-driven with strong negotiation and conflict management skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
• Inquisitive, passionate about learning, and adept at advising senior stakeholders.
• Experienced in managing complex supplier relationships.
• Advanced proficiency in procurement tools (e.g., SAP Ariba, GEP) and Microsoft Excel/Power BI.
• Hospitality Industry (Preferred but not required)
• Experience working with retail/franchised organizations, specifically preferred in the lodging/hotel sub-industry.

Travel - 10% minimum required

Location - Our hybrid work structure is an expectation of three (3) days a week in the ATLANTA office. This expectation may be adjusted to evolve with the changing needs of the business.

The salary range for this role is $105,000 to $115,000. This role is also eligible for bonus pay. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K and other benefits to employees.

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