Lead Specialist, Procurement

Job Title: Lead Specialist, Procurement

Description: In this role, you will be responsible for software sourcing and contracting strategy. This role aligns with industry titles such as Software Procurement category Leader or Software Licencing Manager

Summary Description

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, software category leadership is crucial to align an enterprise strategy for software procurement, to cover sourcing, partner management, tiering and license contracting. Additionally, a software category leader is important to ensure that organizations effectively leverage external software technology partnerships to optimize the enterprise software, achieve strategic goals, maximize value, drive innovation, and mitigate risk.

Scope

This role is responsible for the software sourcing and contracting strategy, across both center enterprise technology teams and Pearson business unit divisions. The role is also responsible for the management of activities related to software deal support and renewal pipeline management. The individual will build strong, trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders to help the business deliver both tactical and strategic directives. They will support the wider Technology Procurement team on key projects and process initiatives across the category when required.

Key Responsibilities

Support strategic software sourcing and contracting

Maintain and manage enterprise-wide software renewal schedules

Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align software vendors with business objectives

Facilitating monthly and quarterly business reviews with strategic software partners and internal stakeholders

Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies. Support dispute resolution if issues arise

Provide data, analytics, and reporting to procurement team and leaders as needed

Support the end-to-end software request and approval process in conjunction with the separate Software Asset Management (SAM) team

Provide training to stakeholders on processes and best practices

Qualifications/Experience/Education

Software procurement category and software vendor management experience

Technology procurement sourcing and contracting

Experience with Procurement technologies (CLM, RFP, etc) and enterprise tools - Jira, Sharepoint, Microsoft Suite/Copilot, Smart Sheets, Ironclad, Service Now, etc.

Able to influence internal and external stakeholders, executives, and leaders

Articulate with strong communication, people, and leadership skills

Experience of working with both virtual and physical global teams

Strong problem solving and change management ability

Evidence of managing strategic relationships and technology contracts

Natural ability to interact positively with all internal stakeholders across cultures, countries, and professional disciplines

Able to maintain impartiality and drive business outcomes

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field