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Associate Director - Global Real Estate Services Operations Lead
The opportunity
EY's Real Estate Services (RES) team is responsible for enabling one of the world's largest corporate real estate portfolios, supporting approximately 440,000 professionals across more than 2.3 million square meters of office space and delivering approximately 300 real estate projects annually across the globe.
The Global Real Estate Services Operations Lead is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence, service delivery, transformation, technology enablement and governance across EY's global real estate function. As a member of the Real Estate Services Leadership Team, this individual will lead the operational framework, systems, processes and teams that support the effective delivery of real estate services globally.
This role will play a critical part in shaping the future operating model of Global Real Estate Services through the adoption of advanced technologies, automation, AI-enabled capabilities, data-driven decision making and continuous improvement initiatives.
The successful candidate will bring a combination of operational leadership, global stakeholder management, technology enablement, financial management and change leadership experience within complex, multinational environments.
Key responsibilities
- Global Operations Leadership
- Lead the operational strategy and execution framework supporting EY's global real estate portfolio.
- Establish and maintain global operating standards, governance structures and service delivery models.
- Drive consistency, scalability and operational excellence across Real Estate Services functions.
- Partner closely with Real Estate Leaders, Procurement, Finance, Technology, Risk, Legal, Security and Talent teams to ensure aligned and efficient service delivery.
- Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions to continuously improve delivery outcomes.
- Transformation, Innovation and AI
- Lead strategic transformation initiatives across the global RES organization.
- Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize and automate processes.
- Drive the implementation and adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, automation and advanced analytics.
- Develop operational roadmaps that support future workplace, real estate and business strategies.
- Champion innovation and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
- Data, Analytics and Business Insights
- Own the development and delivery of operational reporting and performance management frameworks.
- Provide executive-level reporting, insights and recommendations to support strategic decision making.
- Support scenario planning and portfolio analysis supporting optimization, efficiency and cost management objectives.
- Develop KPI and service performance frameworks that measure operational effectiveness and business value.
- Technology and Systems Management
- Provide leadership and oversight for key operational platforms including TRIRIGA, SAP, Ariba and related technologies.
- Drive data quality, governance and reporting excellence across the global portfolio.
- Partner with technology teams to optimize existing platforms and evaluate future capabilities.
- Ensure operational systems effectively support business requirements and strategic objectives.
- Financial and Commercial Management
- Support the development and management of the global RES operating budget.
- Oversee operational financial performance, forecasting and reporting activities.
- Drive cost optimization initiatives while maintaining service quality and business outcomes.
- Support governance of chargeback, allocation and cost recovery processes where applicable.
- Service Provider Management
- Provide operational oversight of strategic third-party service providers supporting the RES function.
- Establish and monitor service level agreements, operational metrics and performance standards.
- Build strong partnerships with external providers to drive innovation, value creation and continuous improvement.
- Ensure alignment with EY procurement, risk and compliance standards.
- People Leadership
- Lead and develop a globally dispersed operations team across EY Global Delivery Services locations.
- Create a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous learning.
- Provide leadership for talent attraction, succession planning, coaching and professional development.
- Build organizational capabilities that support the long-term evolution of the global RES function.
- Stakeholder Management
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across EY.
- Act as the primary operational point of contact for global Real Estate Services matters.
- Build productive relationships across Finance, Technology, Talent, Risk Management, Legal, Security, Procurement and Workplace functions.
- Influence strategic decisions through strong business acumen, data-driven insights and collaborative leadership.
Skills and attributes for success
- Strategic thinker with strong operational execution capabilities.
- Proven ability to lead within highly matrixed global organizations.
- Strong business, financial and commercial acumen.
- Exceptional communication and executive stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale transformation and change initiatives.
- Experience implementing automation, digital transformation and AI-enabled solutions.
- Ability to influence outcomes without direct authority.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Collaborative, adaptable and resilient leadership style.
- Commitment to innovation, service excellence and continuous improvement.
To qualify for the role, you must have
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Facilities Management, Engineering, Finance or a related field.
- Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in corporate real estate, workplace services, facilities management, operations management or related functions.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing regional or global teams.
- Experience operating in multinational, matrixed organizations.
- Experience leading operational transformation, process improvement and organizational change initiatives.
- Strong understanding of corporate real estate operations, lease administration, portfolio management and workplace services.
- Experience with enterprise platforms and operational systems such as TRIRIGA, SAP, Ariba or comparable solutions.
- Strong financial planning, budgeting and reporting experience.
Ideally, you'll also have
- Experience working within a Global Business Services (GBS) or Global Delivery Services (GDS) environment.
- Experience supporting large global property portfolios.
- Knowledge of lease management, lease accounting and portfolio analytics.
- Experience managing outsourced service providers and global consulting partners.
- Knowledge of workplace strategy, facilities management and capital project delivery.
Professional Certifications (Preferred)
One or more of the following certifications would be advantageous:
- RICS
- MCR or SLCR
- PMP or PRINCE2
- CFM
- IFMA certifications
- Lean Six Sigma
- Prosci Change Management Certification
What we offer
This is an opportunity to join the leadership team of a globally recognized professional services organization and help shape the future of workplace, real estate operations and service delivery at scale. You will work with senior leaders across the organization, influence strategic decisions and lead transformational initiatives that impact EY professionals around the world.
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