Operations Director - EMEA

Licensed sponsor Dorking Full-time Posted 1 day ago

Job Purpose

The EMEA Operations Director is responsible for the strategic oversight and execution of operational excellence across the assigned EMEA portfolio. This role leads a high-performing team to deliver seamless, compliant, and cost-effective services, ensuring all contractual obligations and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are met or exceeded. The position acts as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, driving a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, safety, and financial rigor while fostering strong, value-based relationships with the client and internal stakeholders.

Key Tasks

Strategic Leadership & People Management

Provide visionary leadership to operational teams, fostering a high-performance culture aligned with company values.
Oversee the full employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, robust workforce planning, coaching, and long-term succession strategy.
Set clear operational priorities and performance benchmarks, ensuring team alignment with account-wide objectives and deadlines.

Operational Delivery & Excellence

Accountable for the end-to-end delivery of services, ensuring all contractual requirements and KPIs are consistently achieved.
Drive operational efficiency by challenging existing workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing innovative, scalable solutions.
Oversight of subcontracted services to ensure value for money and identifying opportunities to transition toward self-delivery where commercially viable.
Ensure optimal resource deployment across the portfolio, maintaining a focus on service quality, risk management, business continuity and Workplace Experience

Financial Oversight & Governance

Maintain strict oversight of operational budgets, including P&L accountability, expenditure approval, and accurate monthly forecasting.
Partner with Finance and account leadership to drive productivity improvements and identify cost-saving initiatives, and added value activities without compromising service delivery.
Ensure absolute compliance with corporate policies, regulatory standards, and client-specific governance frameworks.

Business Growth & Commercial Expansion

Proactively identify and cultivate growth opportunities across the portfolio, ensuring a continuous pipeline of value-added services for existing clients.
Champion the generation of extra works by identifying unmet client needs and positioning our service suite as the strategic solution.
Actively pursue and secure new client opportunities, leveraging institutional knowledge and success stories to expand the account’s footprint.
Collaborate with business development teams to structure commercial proposals, ensuring all service expansions are financially viable, scalable, and aligned with client objectives.

Client & Stakeholder Management

Serve as a primary point of contact for the client
Lead the preparation and delivery of Monthly Business Reviews (MBRs) with an active collaboration in the preparation and delivery of Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), providing actionable insights, performance data, and forward-looking strategy.
Cultivate deep, trust-based relationships with client stakeholders, ensuring that service delivery evolves in line with changing business needs.

Safety, Compliance & Innovation

Champion a proactive safety culture, ensuring all site activities strictly adhere to EHS requirements and local statutory legislation.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Workplace Experience, and Project teams to ensure a unified approach to service delivery.
Lead the identification and implementation of \"next-generation\" operational improvements, including digital transformation and sustainability initiatives

Person Specification

Degree level qualification in Business, Engineering, or Facilities Management. MBA or relevant professional certification (e.g., IFMA, RICS).
Fluent written and spoken English
Comprehensive understanding of EMEA-wide operational standards, regulatory compliance, and multi-country service delivery.
Proven experience in a senior operational role managing large-scale, multi-site portfolios.
Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., Pharma, Finance).
Expertise in change management and digital operational tools.
Strong technical judgement and analytical problem-solving skills

Why CBRE

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward-thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values — respect, integrity, service and excellence — and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Applicant AI Use Disclosure

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.