Strategic Sourcing Lead

The Strategic Sourcing Lead – Data and AI supports the Strategic Sourcing Associate Director and partners with stakeholders across the Firm to lead strategic sourcing initiatives primarily focused on Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI), while supporting related technology and professional services categories as needed. The role develops sourcing and commercial strategies for complex and evolving Data and AI technologies; leads competitive sourcing, supplier and financial analysis, contract negotiations, implementations, and vendor management; and works closely with Data and AI, IT, IT Security, Privacy, Legal, Accounting, Procurement, and other stakeholders to evaluate supplier capabilities, commercial models, contractual protections, risks, and business value and recommend appropriate courses of action to senior leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives and develop and execute category and sourcing strategies for Data and AI products and services, including AI and generative AI platforms, large language model services, enterprise data platforms, data and information providers, analytics solutions, machine learning technologies, and related technology and professional services.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and business owners to define business, technical, and commercial requirements and ensure sourcing strategies appropriately address operational, security, privacy, data governance, commercial, and supplier risks.

• Lead requests for proposals and requests for information and conduct supplier and market analysis to identify appropriate solutions, emerging suppliers, competitive alternatives, and opportunities for innovation.

• Analyze vendor proposals, pricing, licensing models, contract terms, and total cost of ownership; identify cost-saving and cost avoidance opportunities and develop negotiation strategies that improve cost predictability and commercial value.

• Evaluate complex and evolving Data and AI commercial models, including subscription, consumption, usage-based, enterprise licensing, data licensing, and other pricing structures.

• Recommend contract structures and partner with Legal, Privacy, IT Security, Data and AI, and other subject matter experts to negotiate key supplier agreements and commercial terms.

• Support negotiations involving Data and AI-specific considerations, including Firm and client data use, data ownership and usage rights, confidentiality, intellectual property, AI model training, data retention, information security, privacy, audit rights, service levels, and other commercial protections.

• Develop and maintain knowledge of the Data and AI supplier marketplace, emerging technologies, supplier capabilities, commercial trends, and vendor business and pricing models; identify supplier concentration, redundancy, and other risks.

• Manage key strategic Data and AI vendor relationships, including supplier performance, service levels, utilization, value realization, scope changes, and commercial optimization, and identify opportunities to consolidate, renegotiate, competitively source, or discontinue products and services.

• Communicate project status, timing, risks, and issues to stakeholders and team members; anticipate sourcing and supplier challenges and recommend solutions in coordination with project teams and Firm stakeholders.

• Identify opportunities for business process improvement and participate in developing and implementing solutions that improve sourcing effectiveness and stakeholder value.

• Independently manage complex sourcing initiatives and pipeline workload, applying strong business judgment and analysis while reviewing work product and training or coaching project managers as needed; ability to travel less than 10%.

Education and/or Experience: 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Information Technology, or other related fields

• A minimum of 5 years of strategic sourcing, procurement or category management experience, including experience managing complex technology, data, software and/or professional services agreements

• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex, high value technology contracts and commercial arrangements

• Experience evaluating technology pricing and licensing models, including subscription, consumption-based and enterprise agreements

• Demonstrated ability to develop sourcing strategies, conduct competitive sourcing events, perform financial and supplier analysis, and lead complex negotiations

• Working knowledge of Data and AI technologies and the commercial and supplier landscape supporting enterprise Data and AI capabilities

• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership

• Demonstrated strong oral, written and presentation communication skills in diverse settings: one-on-one as well as small and large groups

Preferred:

• Experience in Professional Services and IT Sourcing

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills

• Strong attention to detail

• Good judgment

• Strong interpersonal communication skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills

• Intellectual curiosity and ability to quickly develop an understanding of emerging technologies and supplier markets

• Ability to translate complex technical and commercial information into clear recommendations for business stakeholders and senior leadership

• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion

• Able to work under pressure

• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

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The target salary range for this role is:

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [email protected] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.