At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead facilities strategy and manage large projects across 15 sites.
- Company: Join Ipsos UK, a global research firm committed to excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workplace experience and sustainability initiatives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multi-site facilities and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Are you a strategic leader in facilities and executive services, eager to shape a world-class workplace for a global research firm? Do you thrive on leading complex projects, driving sustainability, and safeguarding leadership time with impeccable service? Ipsos UK invites you to make a real impact.
The role of UK Director of Facilities involves being the senior leader responsible for the end-to-end workplace experience across 15 sites and 120,000 square ft of Ipsos’ estate. You will own the facilities strategy, supplier governance, procurement, and the delivery of large capital projects, while integrating executive support, reception and site administration to deliver a consistently excellent, client-focused service. This is primarily an on-site London-based role with some UK travel, leading a distributed team of facilities professionals, executive assistants, and site administrators, and setting the standard for service excellence, continuity, and resilience.
What you will do:
- Define and execute the UK facilities strategy, aligning with sustainability and ESG objectives.
- Lead large capital projects (refurbishments, fit-outs) and manage budgets, service charges and commercial negotiations.
- Oversee facilities operations, executive services and reception to deliver a seamless, high-quality workplace experience.
- Partner with landlords, property stakeholders and cross-functional teams to embed energy reduction and sustainable practices.
- Champion business continuity, on-site resilience and incident response; act as senior escalation point.
- Develop and motivate a diverse, geographically distributed team; invest in learning, succession planning and career development.
- Drive digital and data-driven improvements; leverage technology and AI to optimise space planning, maintenance, and service delivery.
About you:
- Proven experience leading multi-site facilities and executive support services across a distributed estate.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and motivate diverse teams across locations.
- Track record of delivering major facilities projects on time and within budget (refurbishments, fit-outs, relocations).
- Strong sustainability/ESG credentials with experience in energy reduction and environmental management.
- Expertise in supplier management, contract negotiations, cost control and governance.
- Data-driven, with excellent project management and a mindset for digital transformation and process improvement; comfortable with AI-enabled tools.
- Commitment to colleague experience, coaching, succession planning and building strong team capability.
Essential skills:
- Strategic leadership for facilities management and executive services.
- Health & safety, risk management, statutory compliance and governance.
- Budgeting, financial planning, procurement and contract management.
- Operational management of core facilities functions.
- Supplier management, performance measurement and SLA frameworks.
- Change management, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision making.
- Stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration.
- Familiarity with building services and how they impact operations.
- Experience leading a UK/region-wide multi-site portfolio.
- Strong knowledge of energy management and ESG initiatives.
- Experience managing landlord/property relationships and complex negotiations.
- Digital mindset with demonstrated AI adoption in facilities or executive services.
- Professional membership in relevant bodies (e.g., facilities, property, engineering).
- Availability for occasional travel and willingness to operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you as an individual. Our standard benefits include 25 days annual leave, pension contribution, income protection and life assurance. In addition, there are a range of health & wellbeing, financial benefits and professional development opportunities. This role will be based at our London office full time, but with some flexibility.
We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We recognise that this is important for our business success - a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme, certified as a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. We provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Your application will be reviewed by someone from our Talent Team who will be in touch either way to let you know the outcome.
UK Director of Facilities employer: Ipsos in the UK
Ipsos UK is an exceptional employer that prioritises a positive and inclusive work culture, offering a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days of annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities. As the UK Director of Facilities, you will lead a diverse team in a dynamic London environment, driving sustainability and innovation while ensuring a world-class workplace experience across multiple sites. With a commitment to equality and diversity, Ipsos fosters an atmosphere where every employee can thrive and contribute meaningfully to impactful research.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Director of Facilities
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the facilities management field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Ipsos and their facilities strategy. Show us that you understand their commitment to sustainability and how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience with large capital projects and team leadership.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a real impact in facilities management.
We think you need these skills to ace UK Director of Facilities
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in facilities management and executive services. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a strategic leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to motivate and manage diverse teams. Share specific examples of how you've led projects or initiatives that had a significant impact on workplace experience.
Highlight Sustainability Initiatives:Given our focus on sustainability and ESG objectives, make sure to include any relevant experience you have in energy reduction or environmental management. We’re keen to see how you can contribute to our green goals!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos in the UK
✨Know Your Facilities Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key elements of a successful facilities strategy. Be ready to discuss how you would align it with sustainability and ESG objectives, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of large capital projects you've led, focusing on your ability to deliver on time and within budget. Highlight your experience with refurbishments and fit-outs, as well as any challenges you overcame during these projects.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement
Think about how you've influenced senior stakeholders in the past. Be prepared to share specific instances where your communication and negotiation skills made a difference, especially in complex environments.
✨Emphasise Your Digital Mindset
With the increasing importance of technology in facilities management, be ready to discuss how you've leveraged digital tools and AI in your previous roles. Share examples of how these innovations improved service delivery or space planning.
