UK Workplace Lead

Posted:
7/30/2025, 3:45:02 AM

Location(s):
England, United Kingdom ⋅ London, England, United Kingdom

Experience Level(s):
Senior

Field(s):
Operations & Logistics

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UK Workplace Lead

The UK Workplace Lead drives operational excellence across the client's UK site portfolio through a dedicated team of site leads. Reporting to the EMEA Account Director, this role is responsible for managing a team that delivers consistent, high-quality services while supporting the client's transformation program and cost optimization initiatives.

The role has 7 direct reports, leading a site-based team of 80 staff with financial management of approximately £45m. This role demands a strategic thinker with strong operational delivery experience who can balance operational excellence with transformation initiatives while maintaining strong client relationships and driving team performance in support of the client's broader business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

  • Understand the client strategy and business drivers and execute pre-agreed transformation initiatives while maintaining high standards of operational delivery
  • Alignment of operational solutions to the client's location strategy and space rationalization initiatives
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with key client stakeholders at all levels
  • Drive continuous improvement and innovation in workplace services
  • Anticipate business needs and proactively address challenges

Operational Management

  • Lead day-to-day site operations, ensuring optimal performance across all UK facilities
  • Leverage subject matter experts in a matrix structure to deliver comprehensive solutions
  • Maintain service excellence during transformation initiatives
  • Coordinate incident management activities, ensuring timely solutions and speed of communication
  • Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements, operating procedures, and client guidelines

Team Leadership

  • Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing team of site leads
  • Create training programs, succession plans, and career development opportunities
  • Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement
  • Drive engagement and aligned service delivery across all service lines

Partnership Management

  • Model behaviours aligned to the Vested partnership principles
  • Drive the "One Team" approach across all partners and service providers
  • Develop strong working relationships with supply partners to ensure integrated service delivery
  • Maintain detailed knowledge of the Vested contract MSA/MVA, escalating scope changes as needed

Compliance & Risk Management

  • Work alongside the UK HSSE and Engineering Lead to ensure compliance with health and safety and engineering requirements
  • Implement sustainability initiatives across the portfolio alongside the EMEA Sustainability manager
  • Manage and mitigate operational risks through proactive planning
  • Support wellbeing improvement initiatives across sites in partnership with EMEA CX lead and global Workplace Experience principles

Financial Management

  • Oversee budget management and governance of £45m portfolio
  • Empower site teams with ownership of their budgets, supported by EMEA Finance
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities while assessing associated operational risks
  • Ensure proper processing of purchase orders, invoices, and work orders

Required Competencies & Experience

Operational Excellence

  • Extensive Facilities Management experience in complex, multi-site environments
  • Experience leading organizations through transformation initiatives
  • Project management expertise with multiple concurrent operational projects
  • Business continuity planning and implementation experience
  • Regulatory compliance knowledge related to UK workplace regulations

Leadership & People Management

  • Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams
  • Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to lead with empathy and respect
  • Experience developing talent and managing performance
  • Change management expertise, particularly during transformational periods
  • Excellent communication skills across all levels of an organization

Financial & Analytical Skills

  • Strong financial acumen including budget forecasting and management
  • Data analytics capabilities to leverage information for decision-making
  • Experience developing and implementing performance measurement systems
  • Strategic thinking ability aligned with business objectives

Client & Vendor Management

  • Experience implementing vendor management programs
  • Deep understanding of service level agreements and KPIs
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
  • Ability to build strategic partnerships at multiple levels

Additional Specialized Experience

  • Space optimization and workplace utilization expertise
  • Strategic planning and operational strategy development
  • Technology related to workplace management
  • Experience with innovative workplace solutions

#LI-JA1

Location:

On-site –London, GBR

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table! If you require any changes to the application process, please email [email protected] or call +44 (0)20 7493 4933 to contact one of our team members to discuss how to best support you throughout the process. Please note, the contact details provided are to discuss or request for adjustments to be made to the hiring process.   Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.

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