Summary
WSP is hiring a Senior Workplace Manager based in Dubai to lead workplace and facilities operations across the Middle East. The role oversees services across seven offices in four countries, project locations, teams, vendors, budgets, occupancy planning and workplace technology. Responsibilities include maintaining safe and compliant facilities, managing projects and supplier performance, supporting business continuity, and advancing sustainability and workplace improvements. Applicants should have a relevant bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressive experience, including leadership across multiple locations; regular regional and international travel is required.
The posting
As published on wsp.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
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The Senior Workplace Manager is responsible for leading workplace and facilities operations across WSP Middle East, ensuring safe, efficient and high-performing workplaces that support business operations, employee experience and organisational growth.
The role oversees workplace services, facilities management, workplace technology, occupancy planning and vendor management across regional offices and project locations. Working closely with business leaders, support functions and global workplace teams, the Senior Workplace Manager drives operational excellence, sustainability, workplace innovation and continuous improvement across the region.
Responsibilities
Workplace Leadership
- Lead Workplace and Facilities teams across the Middle East, fostering a high-performance culture focused on service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Build strong relationships with business leaders and key stakeholders to ensure workplace services continue to meet evolving business needs.
- Act as a trusted workplace advisor, supporting office growth, operational requirements and employee experience initiatives.
Workplace & Facilities Management
- Lead workplace operations (7 offices, 4 countries, c. 8,000SQM) and project site locations within the Middle East.
- Develop and oversee preventative maintenance programmes, ensuring all facilities are safe, compliant and operationally effective.
- Support workplace refurbishments, relocations, fit-outs and maintenance projects in line with WSP standards & the global workplace team.
- Ensure workplaces consistently provide a professional, productive, and welcoming environment for employees and visitors.
Workplace Strategy & Space Planning
- Analyse workplace occupancy and utilisation data to inform space planning and workplace investment decisions.
- Ensure workplace technology and utilisation systems are effectively implemented and maintained.
- Identify opportunities to optimise workplace environments and support future business growth.
Vendor & Contract Management
- Manage relationships with landlords, facilities providers and workplace service partners.
- Monitor vendor performance and ensure contractual commitments and service levels are achieved.
- Drive value for money while maintaining high standards of workplace service delivery.
Financial Management - Develop and manage workplace and facilities budgets across the region.
- Lead forecasting, expenditure monitoring and financial planning activities.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and optimise costs without compromising service quality.
Sustainability & Innovation
- Drive workplace sustainability initiatives across all Middle East offices.
- Support WSP's environmental and sustainability objectives through efficient workplace practices.
- Leverage technology and innovative solutions to improve workplace performance and user experience.
Compliance, Risk & Business Continuity
- Ensure compliance with HSE, quality, and corporate governance requirements.
- Support workplace audits and ensure all facilities operate in accordance with company standards.
- Support business continuity and crisis management activities relating to workplace operations and employee travel.
- Maintain appropriate workplace risk management and emergency response procedures.
Global Collaboration
- Work closely with global Workplace, Facilities and Real Estate teams to ensure alignment with corporate standards and initiatives.
- Support the implementation of global workplace programmes and best practices across the Middle East region.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Facilities Management, Real Estate, Engineering, Operations Management or a related discipline.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Workplace, Facilities Management, Corporate Services, or Business Operations, including leadership responsibility across multiple locations.
- Proven experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams within a complex regional or multinational organisation.
- Demonstrated success in implementing workplace, facilities and administration strategies that support business growth and operational excellence.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing significant operational budgets, forecasting, cost optimisation and vendor contracts.
- Experience overseeing workplace portfolios, office expansions, relocations, fit-outs, refurbishments and workplace transformation initiatives.
- Strong understanding of workplace utilisation, occupancy planning, workplace technologies and modern workplace trends.
- Proven ability to lead organisational change, service transformation and continuous improvement programmes.
- Experience managing outsourced service providers and strategic supplier relationships, ensuring service excellence and value for money.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and business partners.
- Good understanding of workplace health, safety, security, risk management and business continuity requirements.
- Experience driving sustainability initiatives and embedding ESG principles within workplace operations.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to leverage data and insights to support business decisions.
- Excellent communication, leadership and people development capabilities.
- Knowledge of Middle East business environments, cultural norms and workplace practices.
- Willingness to travel regularly across the Middle East and internationally as required.
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