Chicago - Global Director, Procurement & Vendor Management

About us

At Winston Taylor, we set the standard, together.

Winston Taylor is a transatlantic law firm built for the businesses, people, and markets driving capital and innovation. Here, you're in the room. In the action. Sleeves rolled up. You'll work with leading clients. Disruptors. Fast-growth companies. And help them to stay one step ahead of the moment and make critical decisions that shape their future. We're present in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, combining the scale and speed that clients demand. You'll be trusted with real responsibility from the outset and build experience through hands-on work. We take your progression personally. We provide the platform. You shape the work around your goals and aspirations. Step into the moments that matter. Join Winston Taylor.

Position summary

The Global Director of Procurement & Vendor Management will be responsible for designing, implementing, and leading a best-in-class global procurement and travel function for Winston Taylor. Reporting directly to the Global Chief Administration Officer, this role will serve as a key leadership position supporting the firm's growth, operational excellence, financial management, risk management, and client service objectives.

As Winston Taylor continues to evolve its global operating model, the Global Director will establish a Procurement Centre of Excellence that delivers consistency, governance, commercial value, and supplier innovation across all regions. Working closely with the Global Chief Administration Officer, Global Chief Operating Officer, Regional Managing Partners, Business Professional leaders, and key stakeholders across the Americas and EME, the successful candidate will drive the firm's approach to strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract governance, and travel management.

This individual will balance commercial discipline with the entrepreneurial culture of a global law firm, ensuring that procurement and travel services enable exceptional outcomes for both clients and colleagues.

Position responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the Global Chief Administration Officer to develop and implement Winston Taylor's global procurement and travel strategy.
• Establish and lead a global Procurement Centre of Excellence, creating fit-for-purpose policies, governance frameworks, processes, technologies, and performance standards.
• Develop a global procurement operating model that reflects Winston Taylor's culture, partnership structure, risk appetite, regulatory obligations, and commitment to client service.
• Provide strategic advice to the Global Chief Operating Officer and Business Professional leadership on supplier strategy, procurement governance, travel optimization, and commercial opportunities.
• Build a roadmap that enhances procurement maturity and cost control, while maintaining flexibility to the needs of partners, attorneys, and clients.

• Lead all aspects of strategic sourcing, supplier selection, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management globally.
• Develop preferred supplier programs and strategic vendor panels across key spend categories, including technology, professional services, facilities, marketing, travel, and other major spend areas.
• Leverage Winston Taylor's global scale to negotiate favorable commercial agreements and maximize value while supporting efficient service delivery.
• Implement consistent procurement policies, standards, and controls across all offices, while accommodating regional requirements where required by law or local market conditions.
• Establish robust supplier lifecycle management processes covering onboarding, risk assessment, performance management, renewals, and exit planning.
• Drive innovation through strategic supplier partnerships that support the firm's operational and client service objectives.

• Define, implement, and lead the firm's global travel program and travel management strategy, balancing value, client expectations, traveller wellbeing, safety, and compliance requirements.
• Develop and oversee global travel policies, in partnership with Risk, Talent, and Business Development, that balance cost efficiency, traveller wellbeing, sustainability, security, and client service requirements.
• Manage relationships with travel management companies, airlines, hotels, rail providers, and other travel partners.
• Ensure a consistent, high-quality traveller experience for partners, attorneys, and business professionals across all Winston Taylor offices.
• Identify opportunities to optimize travel spend while improving service quality and program adoption.
• Implement reporting and analytics capabilities to monitor traveller behavior, compliance, savings, sustainability metrics, and user satisfaction.

• Build trusted relationships with partners, regional leadership, practice groups, and Business Professional teams globally.
• Promote adoption of procurement and travel standards through collaboration, influence, and service excellence.
• Lead process and organizational change initiatives required to develop procurement maturity across the firm.
• Present recommendations, business cases, performance updates, and strategic proposals to executive-level committees and leadership groups.
• Position Procurement & Travel as a strategic business partner and value-creation function rather than a transactional support service.

• Develop and oversee global procurement governance frameworks that support compliance, safety, transparency, and accountability.
• Ensure supplier management processes align with Winston Taylor's risk management framework and client expectations.
• Oversee due diligence activities relating to information security, cybersecurity, data privacy, financial stability, ESG commitments, sanctions, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure procurement activities support compliance with GDPR, information security standards, anti-bribery legislation, modern slavery regulations, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support client audits, regulatory assessments, and vendor security reviews.

• Develop meaningful procurement and travel KPIs aligned with Winston Taylor's strategic objectives.
• Establish supplier scorecards, governance reviews, and executive reporting dashboards that provide meaningful performance insights.
• Measure cost savings, value creation, compliance, risk mitigation, supplier performance, traveller satisfaction, and program adoption.
• Identify and implement technology solutions that improve visibility, efficiency, analytics, governance, and user experience.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across procurement and travel functions.

• Bachelor's Degree required; Advanced degree preferred. MCIPS or equivalent professional qualification desired.
• 10+ years of significant senior leadership experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management, or related commercial functions required.
• Experience within a global law firm, partnership, or professional services environment required.
• This is a hybrid role that requires the ability to work in the office and travel as required by business needs.
• Proven experience developing and leading global procurement functions within complex multinational organizations.
• Demonstrated success designing procurement operating models, governance structures, and transformation programs.
• Exceptional commercial negotiation and contract management expertise.
• Strong understanding of supplier risk management, information security, privacy, and compliance requirements.
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior executives, partners, and cross-functional leaders.
• Experience leading change and transformation initiatives across multiple jurisdictions.
• Understanding of law firm economics, partnership structures, matter-related expenditure, and client expectations.
• Experience overseeing global travel programs and travel supplier relationships.
• Experience with legal technology procurement, vendor management, and strategic sourcing programs.
• Knowledge of ESG, responsible sourcing, sustainability frameworks, and supplier governance best practices.

• Strategic Leadership & Functional Ownership: Develops and executes global procurement and travel strategies aligned with firm priorities. Leads sourcing initiatives, supplier programs, and operational improvements that drive efficiency, value, risk management, and service excellence across the organization.
• Commercial Excellence & Value Creation: Delivers sustainable value through strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, contract optimization, and disciplined commercial decision-making.
• Stakeholder Influence & Partnership: Builds trusted relationships with partners, regional leadership, practice groups, and Business Professional leaders to drive adoption of procurement and travel programs, support business objectives, and achieve effective organizational outcomes.
• Risk, Governance & Compliance Leadership: Ensures procurement and supplier management activities support compliance, transparency, accountability, and effective risk management while meeting client, regulatory, and business requirements.
• Change Leadership & Innovation: Leads process improvements, technology adoption, and change initiatives that enhance procurement effectiveness, strengthen supplier relationships, and support continuous improvement across the firm.
• Analytical, Financial & Performance Mindset: Uses data, performance metrics, financial analysis, and supplier insights to support decision-making, evaluate opportunities, measure outcomes, and drive value for the firm.