Meet DeepL

DeepL is a global communications platform powered by Language AI. Since 2017, we’ve been on a mission to break down language barriers. Our human-sounding translations and intelligent writing suggestions are designed with enterprise security in mind. Today, they enable over 100,000 businesses to transform communications, reach new markets, and improve productivity. And, empower millions of individuals worldwide to make sense of the world and express their ideas.

Our goal is to become the global leader in Language AI, building products that drive better communication, foster connections, and make a real-life impact. To achieve this, we need talented individuals like you to join our exciting journey. If you're ready to work with a dynamic team and build your career in the fast-moving AI space, DeepL is your next destination.

What sets us apart

What sets us apart is our blend of modern technology, competitive benefits, and an open, welcoming work culture that enables our people to thrive. When we share what it's like to work at DeepL, the reactions are overwhelmingly positive. This may be because of our products that have helped countless people worldwide or our shared mission to improve communication for individuals and businesses, bringing cultures closer together. What we know for sure is this: being part of DeepL means joining a team dedicated to innovation and employee well-being. Discover what our teams have to say about life at DeepL on LinkedIn, Instagram and our Blog.

About our Team

DeepL has a powerful mix of ambition, technical expertise, and purpose-driven teams . Many of our team members are also users of our products, and as an international business we know the power of language when working across cultures.

Founded in Cologne in 2017, DeepL now comprises over 1,000 employees across Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Japan and the United States. We operate on a hybrid model and encourage teams to make use of our ten offices covering these locations. Discover what our teams have to say about life at DeepL on LinkedIn, Instagram and our Blog.

About the Role

We are committed to fostering an innovative, collaborative, and productive work environment that supports our employees and reflects our company culture. As we continue to expand, we are looking for an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Director of Workspace Management.

Reporting to the VP Strategy & Operations, you will be responsible for defining and executing our physical workspace vision, ensuring our offices are optimized for productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being across all our regions. This is a critical senior leadership role requiring strong people management skills, significant experience in budget ownership, strategic planning, contract negotiation, and third-party vendor management.

What you'll be doing

Global Workspace Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive global workspace strategy that aligns with the company's growth objectives, budget constraints, and evolving work models, building upon strong foundational work conducted by the current team.

• Conduct needs assessments and collaborate with regional leadership to understand specific market requirements and cultural nuances.

• Lead site selection, lease negotiations, and build-out projects for new office locations or expansions, as well as optimizing existing spaces.

• Stay abreast of industry trends in workspace design, technology, and employee experience to ensure our spaces remain productive and engaging.

Budget Ownership & Financial Management:

• Develop, manage, and oversee the global workspace budget, including operational expenses, capital expenditures, and project costs.

• Identify opportunities to maximize the spend impact for employee experience.

• Provide regular financial reporting and forecasting to senior leadership.

Team Leadership & People Management:

• Build, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global team of workspace professionals.

• Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.

• Oversee performance management, professional development, and talent retention for your direct reports and the broader workspace team.

Third-Party Provider & Vendor Management:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with landlords, brokers, general contractors, furniture suppliers, facilities management companies, cleaning services, security providers, and other relevant third-party vendors.

• Lead/delegate the sourcing, evaluation, and selection of new vendors, ensuring competitive pricing and high-quality service delivery.

• Negotiate and manage all contracts, service level agreements (SLAs), and terms to ensure optimal value and compliance.

Office Operations & Facilities Management:

• Oversee all aspects of facilities management across the global portfolio, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient operation of all workspaces.

• Implement best practices for space utilization, maintenance, security, and environmental health and safety (EHS).

• Develop and manage policies and procedures related to workspace usage, access, and shared resources.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner closely with IT, People (HR), Finance, Legal, and other departments to ensure seamless integration of workspace services with broader company initiatives.

• Act as a key stakeholder in discussions around employee experience, well-being, and company culture as it relates to the physical environment.

Key Success Measures:

• Employee feedback on our office spaces, gathered through focus groups and in biannual surveys

• Effective utilization of our office spaces, avoiding under-and over-utilization through effective capacity planning

• Active participation in annual budget planning and consistent adherence to global budgets

• Employee engagement, including engagement scores within our valued global office team

What we look for

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Facilities Management, Real Estate, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in facilities and workspace management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing a multi-location, global portfolio in an enterprise/scaled software business.

• Proven experience managing and leading diverse teams across different time zones and cultures, preferably spanning Europe, the US and Japan.

• Demonstrated success in owning and managing large-scale operational and capital budgets (multi-million USD).

• Extensive experience in commercial real estate transactions, including lease negotiation, site selection, and build-out oversight.

• Strong track record of effectively managing third-party vendors and negotiating complex service contracts.

• In-depth knowledge of global workspace trends, best practices in hybrid work models, and sustainable office solutions.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all levels of the organization.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

• This is a hybrid role with an expectation of at least three days per week (on average) in our office in central London.

• This role will require some international travel to our global office locations.

What we offer

• Diverse and internationally distributed team: joining our team means becoming part of a large, global community with people of more than 90 nationalities. We're more than just colleagues; we're a group of professionals with a shared mission to connect diverse cultures. Our global presence is growing–we've doubled in size nearly every year, with our employees based in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the US, and Japan, and we continue to expand our network.

• Open communication, regular feedback: as a language-focused company, we value the importance of clear, honest communication. We value smooth collaboration, direct and actionable feedback, and believe that leading with empathy and growth mindset makes us better together.

• Hybrid work, flexible hours: we offer a hybrid work schedule, with team members coming into the office twice a week. This allows you to engage directly with your team and experience the unique energy of our workspace, while still enjoying the flexibility and comfort of working from home. With flexible working hours and trust in your productivity, we are in sync with your team’s general locations and time zones to foster effective and seamless collaboration.

• Regular in-person team events: we bond over vibrant events that are as unique as our team, from local team and business unit gatherings, to new-joiner onboardings, to company-wide events that bring us all together–literally.

• Monthly full-day hacking sessions: every month, we have Hack Fridays, where you can spend your time diving into a project you're passionate about and get the opportunity to work with other teams–we value your initiatives, impact, and creativity.

• 30 days of annual leave: we value your peace of mind. With 30 days off (excluding public holidays) and access to mental health resources, we make sure you're as strong mentally as you are professionally.

• Competitive benefits: just as our team spans the globe, so does our benefits package. We've crafted it to reflect the diversity of our team and tailored it to align with your unique location, to ensure you feel supported every step of the way.

If this role and our mission resonate with you, but you're hesitant because you don't check all the boxes, don't let that hold you back. At DeepL, it's all about the value you bring and the growth we can foster together. Go ahead, apply—let's discover your potential together. We can't wait to meet you!

We are an equal opportunity employer

You are welcome at DeepL for who you are—we appreciate authenticity here. Our product is for everyone, and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all succeed, contribute, and think forward! So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It’s in our diversity that we will find the power to break down language barriers in the world.