Position Overview
Global Category Manager (Legal, Operations and Data Services) will lead the end‑to‑end category strategy, sourcing and commercial governance for legal services spend as well as operational and data spend. The role delivers measurable value through cost optimisation, demand management, service quality and innovation, while ensuring compliance with internal policies and applicable regulations.
The role will be supported with Category Analysts based in Lisbon and will establish relationships with stakeholders across the UK, Europe and US to align procurement with the benefits of the Hiscox Marketplace and the Fit for 10X business objectives. For material, high‑profile or high‑risk sourcing activity the Global Category Manager will lead the procurement activity from market analysis through to contract signature, and will provide day‑to‑day vendor advice and support.
Accountable for improving spend management in the Legal Services, Operational and Data categories, the role also contributes to Group procurement strategy, supports the use of the Hiscox Marketplace, maintains and develops Global Category Plans for Legal Services, and ensures consistent and professional procurement practice.
Responsibilities
- Category Strategy: Develop and maintain a multi‑year category strategy and pipeline aligned to business priorities, demand management, and financial plans.
- Team Contribution: Coach junior colleagues, share best practice, and contribute to procurement standards, playbooks and training.
- Stakeholders: Maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders in Finance, London Market, UK Retail, US and Europe by providing expertise on contracts and Statements of Work, influencing demand, shaping requirements and driving adherence to sourcing and spend control processes via the Legal Services panel and other supplier panels.
- Sourcing & Tendering: Plan and execute end‑to‑end sourcing activities (RFI/RFP/RFQ/Spot Bid), evaluation, negotiation and contract award in line with governance requirements.
- Commercial Leadership: Negotiate commercials (rates, discounts, value‑adds, KPIs, gainshare), define statements of work (SoWs) and ensure clear deliverables and acceptance criteria.
- Hiscox Marketplace: Embed the use of the Hiscox Marketplace and policies as required to deploy best‑practice based processes.
- Contracting & Compliance: Use of A.I. and partner with Legal and Risk to implement appropriate contractual terms (IP, confidentiality, data protection, liability, conflicts of interest, anti‑bribery) and ensure policy compliance.
- Governance: Implement appropriate controls for legal services engagements (SoW approvals, rate cards, time & materials governance, change control, and invoice validation).
- Supplier Management: Own strategic supplier relationships, QBRs, performance scorecards, continuous improvement plans, and issue resolution/escalations.
- Reporting: Use of A.I. to undertake and input into the creation of procurement MI as required and reporting such as savings and volumes of requests.
- Other tasks: Carry out any other tasks or requirements as required by Hiscox from time to time.
Skills & Qualifications
- Commercial acumen – strong negotiation skills; able to structure deals, manage risk/reward, and agree measurable outcomes.
- Analytical capability – rate benchmarking, total cost of ownership thinking, financial modelling and data‑driven decision making.
- Stakeholder influence – credible at senior levels; able to challenge constructively and build alignment across competing priorities.
- Supplier relationship management – balances partnership and performance; manages escalations with pace and professionalism.
- Contract literacy – strong understanding of key legal services contract terms (IP, confidentiality, data protection, conflicts, liability, audit rights).
- Project management – plans and executes sourcing projects to deadlines; manages evaluation, governance and approvals.
- Communication – clear, concise written and verbal communication; able to present recommendations and business cases.
- Integrity and judgement – applies strong ethical standards; manages confidential information appropriately.
- Leadership – strong leadership skills across matrix structures; team player at executive level to collaborate with Business Units and functional partners.
- Operational management – solid operational management and general business skills to project manage business teams to support delivery of procurement activity.
- In‑depth knowledge – in‑depth knowledge of procurement, vendor and management principles and best practices.
- Negotiation experience – strong negotiation skills and experience of negotiating Legal Services spend preferable.
- Supplier performance – experience of Supplier Performance Management to support the business with monitoring of SLAs and KPIs.
- Systems – experience with modern sourcing and procurement systems.
- Legislative knowledge – expert knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements, as well as understanding of standard contractual terms and conditions to mitigate legal risk.
- Strategic mindset – strategic mindset and problem‑solving skills with proactive, driven approach to change.
- Change management – change management skills and self‑awareness to take varying approaches with a dynamic set of stakeholders.
- Qualifications and training – Degree (or equivalent experience) in business, procurement, finance, law or a related discipline.
- Professional procurement qualification preferred – e.g., CIPS Level5/6 or equivalent.
- Desirable qualifications – contract management qualification and/or relevant compliance training (e.g., anti‑bribery, modern slavery, data protection).
- Negotiation training – additional negotiation training.
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