Interim Head of Workplace and Facilities
Contract Type: Interim, 6 months initially, strong likelihood of Temp to Perm
Day Rate: Dependent on experience (Inside IR35)
Working Model: Hybrid, London based office
About the Role
As Head of Workplace and Facilities, you'll lead the team managing all daily office, facility, and group business travel operations. Your mission is to ensure operational excellence across all global offices, creating a productive, safe, and cohesive environment. You'll also be the system owner for key tools supporting these operations. This role involves leading strategic workplace projects, including office consolidation, to optimise the global footprint and deliver a consistent office and cultural experience. You'll play a vital role in supporting growth and contributing to group sustainability goals, collaborating closely with stakeholders across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Workplace Strategy:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive office design concept playbook, ensuring a cohesive, branded look and feel across all locations
- Lead the implementation of office consolidation projects, including strategic planning, execution, and project management of office moves, mergers, openings and closures globally
- Act as primary Project Manager for significant workplace initiatives, ensuring robust stakeholder engagement across the business and adherence to timelines and budgets
Facilities Operations & Security:
- Oversee day-to-day facilities operations, ensuring a safe, efficient and comfortable working environment
- Manage physical security protocols and systems, supporting documentation and risk mitigation strategies
- Support relevant audits related to facilities and physical security standards
- Act as system owner for core workplace tools, including ticketing systems, desk booking platforms, and internal communications systems
Team Leadership & Management:
- Lead, mentor and develop a dedicated team of around 20 (with 5 direct reports), covering office management, facilities, project management, and travel coordination
- Oversee team support for wider culture and people initiatives, including global company events
Group Travel and System Program Management:
- Act as system owner for corporate travel management tools, ensuring optimal functionality and user experience
- Drive rollout of a group travel booking and management system
- Champion enforcement of the company's travel policy, proposing improvements for efficiency and employee experience
Sustainability & Reporting:
- Support annual emissions data collection across areas such as utilities, office supplies, and business travel
- Provide facilities input to support wider ESG and sustainability compliance reporting
- Drive sustainability initiatives related to workplace and travel
Success Metrics
- Successful execution of office consolidation projects on time and within budget
- Seamless implementation of a new global travel booking system
- Measurable improvement in employee satisfaction scores around office environment and facilities
Key Skills and Qualifications
- 8-10+ years' experience in Workplace, Facilities, or Real Estate management within a global or multi-site organisation
- Demonstrated leadership managing dispersed teams across geographies
- Strong project management expertise across office consolidations, mergers, and design implementations
- Skilled in vendor management, contract negotiation, and multi-site budget oversight
- Strong understanding of global HSE regulations, ISO standards, and ESG/sustainability reporting experience
- Excellent stakeholder management across Finance, Legal, IT, and People teams
- Experience with modern workplace technologies
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Facilities Management, Business Administration, Engineering or related field; relevant certifications advantageous
- Willingness to travel internationally as required