Deputy Corporate Services and Real Estate - EMEA in Milton Keynes

About the Role

We are looking for a hands‑on, operationally‑focused Deputy. This is not a purely strategic role — it is a senior operational position where you will be accountable for the day‑to‑day delivery of seamless corporate services, pantry & food services, events and facilities across our offices, in an environment where excellence, discretion, and speed of execution are non‑negotiable. You will act as the right hand to the head of department, deputising when required, and ensuring our front and back‑of‑house operations run flawlessly for a demanding internal client base of investment professionals. Portfolio London (multiple offices), Switzerland (multiple offices), Dubai, Dublin, Jersey, Paris, Tel Aviv, and various serviced offices across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Delivery (core focus)
  • Oversee the daily running of all corporate services functions across EMEA: Facilities, Reception, Conference & Client Services, Pantry & Food Services, events and Business Support.
  • Ensure consistently high service standards across all offices — walking the floor, identifying issues before they escape, and driving immediate resolution.
  • Manage and develop on‑site teams and office managers across the region, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability.
  • Act as the senior escalation point for service issues, building incidents, and stakeholder complaints.
• Facilities & Real Estate
  • Oversee day‑to‑day facilities operations, including building maintenance, health & safety, BCP, and office moves/reconfigurations.
  • Manage regional capital projects (ex‑London) end‑to‑end: scope, budget, timeline, and quality.
  • Support the Head of Department on real‑estate transactions (leasing, acquisitions, disposals) and the London long‑term strategy project.
  • Serve as alternate key stakeholder on real‑estate matters.
• Food, Events & Hospitality Programming
  • Oversee daily food service operations across all EMEA offices, ensuring consistency, quality, and variety.
  • Manage the snack and beverage programme: curation, sourcing, rotation, dietary inclusivity (vegan, gluten‑free, kosher, halal where relevant), and cost control.
  • Partner with caterers, baristas, and food vendors to maintain premium standards and refresh offerings regularly to avoid menu fatigue.
  • Support the internal events calendar: town halls, leadership off‑sites, team meetings, summer and end‑of‑year parties, cultural celebrations, and ad‑hoc events.
  • Coordinate client‑facing hospitality in conference and meeting suites, ensuring flawless execution from booking to service.
  • Benchmark food and hospitality offerings against peers and top‑tier financial institutions to ensure the firm remains best‑in‑class.
  • Manage budgets, vendor SLAs, and feedback loops (employee surveys, Partner feedback) to continuously elevate the programme.
  • Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen management, and health & hygiene standards in every location.
• Vendor & Procurement Management
  • Own vendor performance across the region — landlords, building managers, caterers, travel providers, security, cleaning, and other service partners.
  • Negotiate and manage contracts, SLAs, and renewals; drive value, consistency, and accountability.
• Governance & Continuous Improvement
  • Ensure compliance with all local laws, regulations, lease obligations, and internal policies across each jurisdiction.
  • Use data and KPIs to monitor service performance, costs, and utilisation; identify and implement efficiencies.
  • Partner closely with Technology, Finance, HR, and Security to standardise workplace practices across the region.

What We're Looking For

Must‑haves

• 10+ years' experience in corporate services, facilities, or workplace operations, ideally within a hedge fund, asset manager, investment bank, or top‑tier professional services firm.
• A genuine interest in food, hospitality, and events — sees these not as administrative tasks but as a craft that shapes culture and employee experience.
• Proven track record running multi‑site, multi‑jurisdictional operations across EMEA.
• Strong operational mindset — comfortable being hands‑on and in the detail, while also able to step up strategically when required.
• Demonstrable experience managing capital projects, fit‑outs, and real‑estate transactions.
• Strong commercial acumen: vendor negotiation, budget ownership, and cost optimisation.
• Excellent people manager — able to lead, develop, and hold accountable distributed teams.

The right profile

• Calm under pressure, solutions‑oriented, and unflappable in a fast‑paced, high‑expectation environment.
• High EQ and discretion — credible with senior stakeholders.
• Detail‑obsessed with a "no job too small" attitude — equally comfortable reviewing a lease and fixing a reception issue.
• Willing and able to travel across the EMEA region as required.