Senior Workplace Manager

WSP in the Middle East; Sharjah; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Middle East is seeking a Senior Workplace Manager to lead workplace and facilities operations across the region, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-performing environments that support business operations and employee experience.

You will oversee workplace services, facilities management, occupancy planning and vendor management across regional offices and project sites, partnering with business leaders and global teams to drive sustainability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in Workplace, Facilities Management, Corporate Services, or Business Operations.
• Proven experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams within a complex regional or multinational organisation.
• Experience implementing workplace, facilities and administration strategies that support growth and operational excellence.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting and vendor contracts.
• Experience overseeing workplace portfolios, expansions, relocations, fit-outs and transformations.
• Knowledge of occupancy planning, workplace technologies and modern workplace trends.
• Ability to lead change, service transformation and continuous improvement programs.
• Experience managing outsourced service providers and strategic supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead Workplace and Facilities teams across the Middle East, fostering a high-performance culture focused on service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop and oversee preventative maintenance programmes ensuring facilities are safe, compliant and operationally effective.
• Analyse occupancy data to inform space planning and workplace investments.
• Manage relationships with landlords, facilities providers and service partners.
• Develop and manage workplace and facilities budgets; forecast and monitor expenditure.
• Drive sustainability initiatives across all offices and leverage innovative solutions.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, quality and governance requirements.
• Collaborate with global Workplace, Facilities and Real Estate teams to align with corporate standards.

Skills

Leadership across ME regions

Budget management

Vendor management

Stakeholder management

Change management

Sustainability & ESG

Occupancy planning

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Facilities Management, Real Estate, Engineering, Operations Management or a related discipline

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

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.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can.