Director of Corporate Real Estate (EMEA)

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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.

WSP is one of the world's leading engineering and environmental professional services firms providing technical consultancy to the built and natural environment. We believe that for societies to thrive, we must all hold ourselves accountable for tomorrow. For us, that means creating innovative solutions to the challenges the future will bring to the communities and environments where we live and work across the UK. We are locally dedicated and propelled by international brainpower. We are technical experts and strategic advisors, including engineers, technicians, scientists, planners, surveyors, geo-science and environmental specialists, as well as other design, programme and construction management professionals. Our experts influence and design sustainable lasting solutions in the property & buildings, transportation & infrastructure, earth & environment, industry and power & energy sectors as well as project delivery and strategic consulting services.

A Little More About Your Role…

• Reporting to the Director of Global Workplace, the Director of Corporate Real Estate (EMEA) is responsible for the strategic development and operation management of WSP’s real estate assets across the EMEA region comprising the following sub-regions:
• UK & Ireland
• Africa
• Central Europe
• Middle East
• Nordics (expected to be added during H2 2025 under current restructuring proposals)

The EMEA region represents one of three global primary regions (alongside APAC and the Americas) and comprises c.2m sq.ft. and 187 offices.

Key Accountabilities

• Continuously measure and assess the safety performance of all CRE managed activities and ensure safety remains paramount in the planning and execution of CRE operations with strict adherence to WSP H&S policies & regional legislation.
• Develop regional/sub-regional real estate strategies for the WSP EMEA region, ensuring alignment to global workplace objectives while serving the needs of regional businesses.
• Form an integral part of the Global Workplace Team and actively contribute to the development of Global Workplace strategy, policies and operating procedures.
• Be accountable for planning, forecasting and performance of operating and capital financial real estate budgets across the region.
• Engage with regional business leaders to establish their corporate business strategies and support informed commercial real estate decisions.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with key internal partners (finance, HR, IT, Marcoms, etc.) in the delivery of CRE projects and operations.
• When required, manage the commercial negotiations of real estate transactions (e.g. lease renewals, acquisitions, disposals, dilapidations).
• Develop and implement management policies and processes to ensure all CRE projects are delivered to a high standard.
• Establish and monitor a rolling roadmap of future real estate projects with effective financial planning and resource scheduling to meet business demands.
• Ensure CRE projects are delivered with high operational efficiency and compliance with national legislation.
• Ensure capital funding applications are supported by detailed cost-benefit analyses using WSP business case protocols.
• Engage WSP subject matter experts as required (Quantity Surveyors, MEP design services, acoustic surveys, etc.).
• Develop effective supply-chain strategies for the delivery of FM and Project Management services across the region.
• Implement management policies to ensure FM services are delivered to a high standard of operational efficiency and compliance with national legislation.
• Establish and monitor a rolling 3-year capital investment programme including life cycle requirements of plant and equipment.
• Undertake benchmarking exercises to compare performance against industry peers.
• Develop systems, reporting protocols and contractual relationships with WSP’s supply chain to track statutory compliance and risk exposure.
• Assess the technical skills of CRE employees and monitor training exposures or gaps.
• Collaborate with the WSP UK Procurement team to deploy sourcing strategies that deliver best value.
• Ensure the CRE function is prepared to respond to crises with business continuity plans, policies and testing regimes.
• Deputise for the Director of Global Workplace as required.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Highly customer-centric with excellent communications skills
• Significant experience leading the workplace strategy and delivery of real estate services across a European commercial office portfolio > 1m sq.ft.
• Membership of a relevant professional industry body (e.g. IWFM, MCIBSE)
• Preferably multi-lingual (English + additional European language)
• Detailed knowledge of the real estate / FM industry including best practices across Europe.
• Analytical and financial skills necessary to develop and comprehend strategic plans and budgets.
• Ability to manage through ambiguity and build a strong internal network.
• Results-oriented with a desire to learn and support new technologies and processes.
• Effective organizational skills with ability to delegate, prioritise and manage multiple projects under pressure.
• Proficient with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified (preferably within a real estate related discipline)
• Membership of a relevant professional industry body (e.g. IWFM, MCIBSE)
• Valid driver’s licence

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. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’s in it for you?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid policy offers flexibility to work from home two days a week, with opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work and celebrate integrity, respect, and inclusion. We have employee resource groups that promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We support our people through the Thrive programme, including access to a Virtual GP service, workplace adjustments, Gymflex discounts, and menopause support.

Flex your time

WSP offers the “WSP My Hour” to take one hour each day for personal activities, with flexibility to make up the time earlier or later. Part-time and flexible working, additional leave, and bank holiday entitlement options are available.

Your development

We invest in development and training, including mentoring and Chartership opportunities.

#WeAreWSP

We encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria and will provide workplace adjustments if needed.