Senior Category Manager - Technology (AI)

Senior Category Manager – Technology (IT / AI)

Location: Florida (Preferred) or Charlottesville, VA 

Are you ready to shape the future of technology procurement in a fast-evolving, AI-driven environment?
Do you thrive on influencing senior stakeholders and challenging the status quo?
Can you balance speed, innovation, and governance while delivering measurable business impact?

If so, this could be your next move.

We’re looking for a Senior Category Manager – Technology to play a pivotal role in transforming how we manage technology spend, suppliers, and partnerships across the enterprise. This is a high-impact, highly visible role where you’ll operate as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, driving strategic sourcing decisions across software, cloud, contingent workforce, and emerging AI solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies across technology, software, contingent workforce, and AI solutions

• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives (RFPs, RFIs, RFQs), negotiations, and commercial structuring for complex technology deals

• Partner closely with IT and business leaders to align sourcing with technology roadmaps, platform strategies, and AI adoption

• Drive value optimisation, balancing cost, innovation, scalability, and risk in all technology investments

• Deliver robust spend analysis, supplier benchmarking, and market insights to inform strategic decisions

• Manage and optimise software licensing models and cloud consumption frameworks

• Establish and lead supplier governance, including performance management, SLAs, and quarterly reviews

• Influence senior stakeholders, challenging demand and shaping requirements to ensure commercial discipline

• Support the responsible adoption of AI technologies across the organisation

• Strengthen procurement maturity by introducing structured processes, frameworks, and governance in a fast-paced environment

• Translate complex technical and financial data into clear, actionable insights for executive audiences

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in technology category management or IT procurement within a services-led organisation

• Strong track record of delivering complex sourcing initiatives and measurable business outcomes

• Experience across key areas such as:

  • Software and SaaS

  • Cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)

  • IT services and outsourced solutions

  • Contingent workforce procurement

• Confidence in influencing senior stakeholders, including at executive or board level

• Ability to operate autonomously while navigating complex, matrixed environments

• Commercial expertise in negotiation, contract structuring, and supplier management

• Strong analytical capability, including TCO modelling, spend analysis, and financial evaluation

• Experience balancing speed vs governance, innovation vs control, and cost vs risk

• Exposure to emerging technologies, including AI, is highly desirable

• Professional procurement qualifications (e.g., CIPS) are advantageous

Why Join Us

• Play a key role in shaping an evolving and high-growth technology and AI procurement landscape

• Opportunity to build and influence an untapped IT supply chain with real strategic ownership

• Work in a purpose-driven, globally recognised organisation with a strong culture and values

• High visibility role with direct exposure to senior leadership and enterprise decision-making

• Be part of a team driving transformation, innovation, and continuous improvement

• Fully remote-first working model with flexibility and strong work-life balance

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package

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About CFA Institute

CFA Institute are the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we drive professional growth, ethical behavior, and better markets. We care about our employees’ well-being, offering industry-leading benefits like:

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family

• Generous leave and time off

• Competitive retirement plans

• Flexible work options

• Wellness, education, and support programs

If you feel this opportunity could be the next step in your career, we encourage you to click “Apply” and complete our three-minute application.

Be part of a team committed to putting investors first and growing economies. Follow us @CFAInstitute on LinkedIn and X.

Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. CFA Institute prohibits both discrimination and harassment with regard to all identifying characteristics: any individual employee, group of employees, or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, creed or belief, age, marital or partnership status, marital or family status, care giver status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, physical abilities/qualities, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, predisposing genetic characteristic, military or veteran status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence or sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, infectious disease carrier status, migrant worker status, educational background, socio-economic status, geographic location and culture or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy impacts all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, development, promotion, demotion, layoff, recall, furlough, transfer, leave of absence, and dismissal. This is a global policy that applies to all CFA Institute employees, regardless of location.

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