Head of Facilities & Workplace Experience

fairlife LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

fairlife, LLC, a Chicago-based nutrition company, seeks a Senior Manager, Facilities and Workplace Experience to own the Chicago HQ and partner with plant leadership on office spaces, safety, and experience. You will manage daily operations, space planning, events, and vendor contracts, while leading a team to deliver a safe, functional, inviting workplace.

Reporting to the VP, People & Culture, this role requires 8+ years in facilities operations, strong negotiation skills, and a proven track

Qualifications

• 8+ years in facilities, real estate, corporate services, or workplace operations, including 3+ years leading people or vendor teams.
• Experience managing a corporate office with a multi-site manufacturing footprint, including budget ownership.
• Track record running office projects, moves, or build outs on time and on budget.
• Strong vendor negotiation and contract management skills.
• Sound judgment in outages, weather events, and security concerns.
• Comfortable working across corporate and manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the Chicago headquarters, including maintenance, HVAC, security, access control, and space readiness.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for landlord, property management, and building engineering relationships.
• Own space planning, seat assignments, moves, and reconfigurations in partnership with People & Culture and IT.
• Lead office construction, renovation, and furniture projects from scope through punch list.
• Define and deliver a workplace experience standard that supports collaboration, focus work, and in-person connection.
• Manage front of house, reception, visitor experience, and internal hospitality, including pantry and food service programs.
• Gather employee feedback on the workplace and translate it into a prioritized improvement plan.
• Partner with Internal Communications on signage, wayfinding, and brand presence in the space.
• Implement protocols in partnership with IT and communications on company/site large event room and AV requirements.
• Plan and execute events including all employee meetings, celebrations, and key stakeholder visits.
• Coordinate logistics for cross site gatherings held at headquarters.
• Partner with Communications team to develop and execute community partnership roadmap.
• Lead a 'one team' strategy and execution around celebration moments across the organization.
• Source, negotiate, and manage facilities and hospitality vendor contracts, holding partners to service levels.
• Own the facilities operating budget, forecast accurately, and identify cost savings without degrading experience.
• Maintain compliance with life safety, building code, and applicable OSHA requirements, and keep emergency response and business continuity plans current.
• Partner with EHS and site leaders to align corporate practices with plant safety standards.
• Lead office space expansion activities in partnership with project management, as needed.
• Lead, coach, and develop the facilities and workplace team.
• Build clear service processes, response expectations, and metrics.

Skills

Facilities leadership

Vendor management

Budget ownership

Project management

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Emergency response

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in facilities management

Tools

CMMS

Space management software

Workplace technology platforms

Job description

fairlife, LLC, a Chicago-based nutrition company, seeks a Senior Manager, Facilities and Workplace Experience to own the Chicago HQ and partner with plant leadership on office spaces, safety, and experience. You will manage daily operations, space planning, events, and vendor contracts, while leading a team to deliver a safe, functional, inviting workplace.

Reporting to the VP, People & Culture, this role requires 8+ years in facilities operations, strong negotiation skills, and a proven track