Workplace Operations Manager

The Workplace Team is seeking an experienced Workplace Operations Manager to oversee and evolve our operations across the EMEA region. This role is responsible for the management and operational excellence of our London office while providing remote operational and strategic support to our regional offices. The Workplace Manager ensures that our global standards are localized effectively, maintaining high-quality, safe, and productive environments for all regional employees.

The role balances on-site management in London with regional strategy, vendor consolidation, and large-scale project leadership. The position requires a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving and a proven track record of managing complex workplace operations at scale.

This role is based in London with a requirement for daily office presence and occasional travel across the EMEA region.

What You'll Do:

• Regional Strategy and Oversight 
  • Define and implement the workplace strategy across all EMEA locations, ensuring every office reflects the company culture and operational standards while respecting local regulations and customs.
  • Drive the delivery of an exceptional employee and visitor experience across the region, ensuring all EMEA environments and programs reflect company values while supporting employee well-being and engagement.
  • Serve as the primary bridge between global and regional teams, leading workplace communications, and acting as the senior point of contact for stakeholders to ensure alignment on vision and strategy.
  • Develop and maintain Site Playbooks for all EMEA locations, standardizing processes for facilities maintenance, visitor management, and health and safety to ensure a consistent employee experience.
  • Implement and oversee health, safety, and security protocols across the EMEA portfolio to ensure all offices maintain rigorous emergency preparedness and remain in full compliance with local statutory requirements.

• Team Management and Collaboration
  • Provide guidance and support to local workplace coordinators or office leads within the region to foster a collaborative environment and ensure team members are aligned with global workplace objectives.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between regional and global teams to maintain clear lines of communication and ensure local needs are represented in global strategy.
  • Act as a key regional partner for HR, IT, and Finance, ensuring workplace operations seamlessly support departmental goals, from employee experience to fiscal compliance.
  • Provide consistent updates to the wider organization regarding workplace initiatives, events, and changes while ensuring timely and professional responses to workplace inquiries.

• Operational Excellence 
  • Oversee the annual EMEA budget by monitoring expenditures and performing financial forecasting to ensure all regional spending remains on track.
  • Analyze regional office utilization data to inform future space planning and real estate decisions while partnering with leadership to manage growth and capacity.
  • Lead large-scale workplace projects, including office fit-outs, expansions, and relocations, while managing project budgets, timelines, and third-party vendors.
  • Maintain a high-touch environment that supports regional team engagement and provides an exceptional visitor experience for leadership, partners, and high-stakes meetings.
  • Identify and implement operational improvements and standardized workflows that increase efficiency across the region.
  • Manage day-to-day operational tasks across locations using project management tools (Asana, Jira, etc.) to ensure timely completion and high-quality outcomes.

• Facilities & Vendor Management
  • Oversee the physical integrity of all EMEA locations through regular inspections to ensure office functionality, cleanliness, and safety standards are consistently met.
  • Collaborate on facility improvements, renovations, and new office build-outs, ensuring all projects adhere to local regulations and architectural standards.
  • Ensure the operational health of all regional sites by implementing proactive preventative maintenance programs for building systems and soft services.
  • Source and manage regional service providers (facilities, food, and cleaning), optimizing for service quality, cost efficiency, and operational alignment.
  • Manage access control systems and badge data to ensure accurate tracking and compliance with regional security policies.

What We're Looking For:

• 6+ years of experience in workplace or facilities operations, project management, or a related field, with at least 2 years of experience managing or leading a team.
• Proven ability to independently manage operations across multiple locations, balancing competing priorities effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Strong understanding of workplace compliance, safety regulations, and building requirements in the UK and EMEA markets.
• Experience working closely with global stakeholders, demonstrating an understanding of cultural nuances and time zone coordination.
• Demonstrated success in vendor management, including negotiating contracts, ensuring service-level agreements are met, and maintaining cost-effective, high-quality services.
• Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills, with a strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Familiarity with managing access control systems, badge data, and supporting onboarding and offboarding processes.
• Proficiency with G-Suite, Slack, Zoom, and other workplace tools; familiarity with macOS is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets, with strong analytical and financial skills.
• A proactive and self-motivated professional who can work autonomously while collaborating effectively with global teams.
• Industry certifications such as FMP, CFM, FMA, PMP, or equivalent are a strong plus.