JLL

Senior Director, Category Management

Chicago, IL Full time

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.  

Our people at JLL and JLL Technologies 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.   

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Global Category Director, Travel & Fleet is responsible for defining, leading, and executing the global procurement and operational strategy for all Travel and Fleet-related categories across JLL’s corporate spend. This role ensures delivery of best value, operational excellence, risk management, and sustainability outcomes to support JLL’s global business objectives.

The role reports to the Head of Corporate Procurement and is a key member of the Corporate Procurement Leadership Team. It requires close collaboration with senior stakeholders across Finance, ESG, Business Line COOs, and Global Operations, and leadership of a global operational team supporting JLL’s travel programme and fleet strategy.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Category Strategy & Procurement Leadership

  • Establish, lead, and execute global category strategies for Travel and Fleet, including strategic sourcing, supplier management, commercial frameworks, and demand management, aligned to JLL’s corporate objectives. The role has 4 procurement managers and 1 global travel manager reporting into it.

  • Develop and implement sourcing and category management strategies to optimise cost, service quality, risk, and sustainability outcomes across all Travel and Fleet spend.

  • Lead complex global and regional sourcing initiatives, including supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and contract structuring for critical, high-value arrangements.

  • Monitor global market trends, supplier capabilities, and emerging innovations to inform procurement strategy and maintain JLL’s influence within the Travel and Fleet supply markets.

Travel Operations & Service Delivery

  • Oversee the global travel operations function, ensuring the effective delivery of travel services supporting over 140,000 business trips annually.

  • Manage the cost centre budget, ensuring cost control, transparency, and value delivery while maintaining a high-quality traveller experience.

  • Ensure robust governance, policies, and controls are in place for Travel & Expense (T&E) activity, aligned with JLL standards and compliance requirements.

  • Partner with Finance and P2P stakeholders to drive alignment across procurement, payment, and expense management processes.

ESG, Sustainability & Fleet Transformation

  • Lead emissions data collection and reporting across Travel and Fleet categories to support JLL’s ESG and regulatory reporting requirements.

  • Partner with ESG leaders and stakeholders to develop and deliver strategies that support JLL’s sustainability commitments, including the transition towards a zero-emissions fleet.

  • Embed sustainability criteria into sourcing, supplier management, and operational decision-making across the category portfolio.

Stakeholder & Business Partnership

  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including Business Line COOs, providing insight, reporting, and recommendations on Travel & Fleet spend, performance, and risk.

  • Support Business Lines with reporting, monitoring, and optimisation of T&E spend, ensuring alignment with global policy and business objectives.

  • Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Finance, ESG, HR, Legal, Risk, and Technology to deliver integrated outcomes.

Leadership & Team Management

  • Lead and develop a strategic and operationally focused team, driving high performance, engagement, and continuous improvement.

  • Set clear objectives, performance metrics, and development plans for team members.

  • Contribute to the evolution of the Corporate Procurement function, supporting capability building, governance, and best practice as a member of the procurement leadership team.

Governance, Risk & Reporting

  • Establish and maintain strong supplier governance, performance management, and risk mitigation frameworks.

  • Report on category performance, savings, value delivery, ESG outcomes, and stakeholder satisfaction.

  • Ensure procurement policies, standards, and controls are consistently applied across all Travel and Fleet activities.

  • Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested by your line manager.

CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION: KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Ideal Experience

  • University degree or equivalent

  • CIPS/ISM accreditation is preferable

  • 5-10 years’ relevant experience in procurement, category management, or commercial leadership roles, with significant exposure to Travel and/or Fleet categories.

  • Experience working within a large, global, matrixed organisation.

  • Proven experience managing and leading operational teams in a global or regional environment.

  • Demonstrated experience leading complex sourcing initiatives and managing strategic supplier relationships.

  • Experience partnering with Finance, ESG, and senior business stakeholders.

Critical Competencies for Success

Strategic & Commercial Acumen

  • Strong understanding of global Travel and Fleet markets, cost drivers, and commercial models.

  • Ability to develop and execute category strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes.

Financial & Analytical Skills

  • Strong financial analysis capability, including budgeting, cost modelling, and value tracking.

  • Ability to analyse complex data sets and translate insights into clear recommendations.

Stakeholder Influence & Leadership

  • Proven ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across multiple geographies.

  • Strong leadership presence, with the ability to lead through change and ambiguity.

  • Excellent relationship management and communication skills.

Operational Excellence

  • Experience balancing strategic objectives with operational delivery and service quality.

  • Strong governance mindset, with experience implementing policies, controls, and performance frameworks.

Sustainability & ESG Awareness

  • Working knowledge of ESG principles, emissions reporting, and sustainability considerations within Travel and Fleet categories.

Location:
United States or United Kingdom

Reporting structure:

This role reports into the Head of Corporate Procurement

 

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Estimated compensation for this position:

150,000.00 – 178,125.00 USD per year

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

Remote –Chicago, IL, New York, NY

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!


Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:

  • 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care

  • Paid parental leave at 100% of salary 

  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

  • Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

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're pursuing.

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