Marketing Category Lead – Procurement
Location: Hybrid – Central London - Some Flexibility
Contract Length: 3 Months
Day Rate: Up to £450/day (Umbrella)
Hours: Standard Business Hours (9:00–17:30)
Start Date: ASAP

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading global education organisation that is seeking an experienced and strategic Marketing Procurement professional. This contract role will support two critical tendering projects across PR and media/creative services, helping to shape and deliver a new strategic sourcing model.

This is a high-impact role suited to a confident procurement lead who can work autonomously, manage complex stakeholder groups, and drive end-to-end tender processes with professionalism and pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a full multi-stage tender process across marketing categories, including:

  • Initial capability and kickoff meetings with potential agencies.

  • Development and launch of detailed agency briefs, incorporating performance and creative challenges, transformation plans, and commercial frameworks.

  • Proposal evaluation and scoring, shortlisting, and presentation management.

  • Final partner selection and contractual negotiations.

• Ensure compliance with internal procurement and risk management policies.

• Collaborate with key internal stakeholders, including the Head of Brand and Head of PR, to ensure project alignment.

• Distinguish PR activities from other marketing streams as part of a broader initiative.

• Report directly into the Head of Procurement, working alongside a procurement team of nine.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in Marketing Procurement, with proven success in strategic sourcing and supplier management.

• Strong track record of running complex, multi-stage tender processes across media, creative or PR categories.

• Excellent commercial negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

• Comfortable working with autonomy on high-visibility projects.

• Capable of developing and managing KPIs and success frameworks for procurement outcomes.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to senior leadership.