Senior Director, Sourcing

JLL•Chicago, IL

6d•Remote

About The Position

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 people and 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. Senior Sourcing Manager What this job involves: The Senior Sourcing Manager at JLL is a hands-on leader who directly executes strategic sourcing initiatives while building and developing a high-performing team across a defined portfolio of client accounts. You will personally lead complex negotiations, manage key supplier relationships, and drive critical sourcing projects from strategy through execution—while coaching and developing your team to deliver excellence at scale. This role combines individual contributor expertise with people leadership: you'll be in the details of RFPs, contract negotiations, and supplier performance management while simultaneously serving as a trusted advisor to Account Directors, Managing Directors, and clients. Strong negotiation skills, supplier management expertise, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders are essential. You must be equally comfortable leading a high-stakes negotiation, coaching a team member through a sourcing challenge, and presenting strategic recommendations to client executives.

Requirements

10+ years of strategic sourcing experience in services or indirect categories (facilities services highly preferred), with demonstrated people management and team leadership experience
Proven track record of personally leading and closing complex, high-value negotiations and sourcing initiatives while building team capability
Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
Proven expertise in procurement, supplier management, strategic sourcing, and contract management principles and best practices
Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to achieve cost savings, establish favorable terms, and bridge differences to deliver win-win agreements
Excellent understanding of supplier evaluation and selection methodologies, risk assessment, and supplier relationship management
Familiarity with procurement systems and tools (e.g., e-procurement platforms, contract management software, Jaggaer preferred)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to conduct market research, financial analysis (TCO), and performance measurement
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively and persuasively engage diverse stakeholders, including C-suite and client executives
Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy, data integrity, and compliance rigor
Ability to balance hands-on execution with team development—comfortable being in the work while building others' capabilities
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed environment
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Willingness to travel approximately 25% within the U.S.
Ability to work remotely (home office) and on-site at client locations

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree
Professional certification: CPM, CPSM, or CPSD
Knowledge of real estate, facilities management, or property management industry
Demonstrated experience leading change, transformation initiatives, and building high-performing teams in complex organizational environments
Leadership & Executive Presence Collaborative, transformational leader capable of inspiring teams, managing change, and making high-stakes decisions with energy and resilience
Working manager who leads by example—demonstrates excellence through personal execution while developing team capability
Significant gravitas to instill confidence and respect among peer groups, senior leaders, and clients
Strategic & Commercial Acumen Deep understanding of JLL Work Dynamics, the real estate industry, competitive landscape, and client business models
Strong strategic and critical thinking; exhibits insight and forward-thinking approach to sourcing challenges
Client-Centric Orientation Leads with a focus on client needs to create and deliver solutions that exceed expectations and add measurable value to both clients and JLL
Relationship Building & Influence Builds trust quickly; persuades through insight, data, and relationship capital rather than positional authority
Works effectively across complex matrix organizations with a team-first and firm-first orientation
Adaptability & Resilience Adjusts leadership style to accommodate individuals and various phases of organizational growth
Has the courage to make difficult decisions and take calculated risks

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing Leadership & Value Delivery Lead annual sourcing plan development, execution, and KPI performance across your assigned sub-vertical portfolio
Design and implement category-specific sourcing strategies that balance cost optimization, risk management, service quality, and innovation
Personally lead complex, high-value supplier identification, evaluation, and selection processes, including RFP development, bid analysis, and supplier assessments across cost, quality, sustainability, and service level agreements
Directly negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with strategic suppliers to achieve cost savings, favorable terms, and value-added solutions for clients
Identify and quantify savings opportunities, supplier performance improvements, and process efficiencies; communicate value realization to clients and internal stakeholders
Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers, assess capabilities, and evaluate risks
Drive adoption and optimization of sourcing technology platforms (e.g., Jaggaer, e-procurement, contract management software) to enable scalable, data-driven decision-making
Execute sourcing projects end-to-end while coaching team members through parallel initiatives to build capability and capacity
Compliance, Controls & Risk Management Ensure all sourcing activities comply with JLL and client policies, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements
Establish and maintain compliance frameworks, controls, and audit readiness across the portfolio
Partner with Legal, Risk Management, and Corporate functions to manage contract terms, supplier risk exposure, and governance standards
Personally conduct supplier performance reviews, audits, and scorecarding; implement improvement plans as needed and coach team members to do the same
Proactively identify and escalate portfolio risks; recommend mitigation strategies aligned with business objectives
Client & Stakeholder Partnership Build and sustain trusted relationships with client leadership, Account Directors, and Managing Directors to align sourcing plans with business priorities
Collaborate with stakeholders to understand procurement and supply chain requirements, providing strategic guidance on sourcing strategies
Translate client needs into actionable sourcing strategies; manage expectations through transparent communication and proactive issue resolution
Serve as the sourcing subject matter expert in client-facing forums, personally presenting strategic insights, negotiation outcomes, and best-practice recommendations
Work cross-functionally with operations, finance, and project delivery teams to ensure sourcing outcomes drive operational excellence and deliver immediate and sustained benefits to clients
Team Leadership & Talent Development Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing sourcing team; create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Provide hands-on coaching and real-time guidance on negotiations, supplier management, and sourcing execution while holding team members accountable for results
Manage and coach team members on performance, progress, and developmental goals; translate individual strengths and growth areas into actionable development plans
Model excellence by doing the work alongside your team—demonstrating best practices in negotiation, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking
Foster an inclusive, results-oriented team environment that values diverse perspectives and promotes knowledge sharing
Support talent mobility, succession planning, and supply/demand balancing within the broader Sourcing & Procurement organization
Continuous Improvement & Innovation Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost savings, and efficiency gains in sourcing and procurement activities
Develop and maintain supplier databases, performance metrics, systematic savings tracking, and analytical reporting for the business
Provide strategic thought leadership and best practices to drive sourcing innovation across the sub-vertical