At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global admin and operations, optimising processes and enhancing efficiency across all sites.
- Company: Join Side, a global leader in video game development and services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic environment, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the gaming industry while working with passionate teams worldwide.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in global administration or operational leadership, with strong process improvement skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
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About the company
Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets. Help us bring stories to the world! Join a global team of passionate gamers and contribute to delivering unforgettable game experiences.
About the role
The Global Head of Administration will establish and lead a unified global administrative and facilities infrastructure across all Side.inc sites - optimizing real estate, logistics, assets, and vendor ecosystems through structured process improvement, cost efficiency, and operational transparency.
Key Responsibilities
- Global Site Oversight
- Maintain an accurate, dynamic inventory of all physical sites (offices, studios, warehouses, and partner facilities).
- Track capacity, utilization, and occupancy to ensure alignment with workforce and production forecasts.
- Lead site expansion, consolidation, and relocation projects with clear financial models and ROI justification.
- Create and manage a global facilities performance dashboard integrating utilization, cost, and efficiency data.
- Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Audit global administrative and facilities processes to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and risks.
- Design and roll out standard operating procedures (SOPs) for site operations, logistics, and admin workflows.
- Implement automation and digital tools for data capture, asset tracking, and reporting.
- Introduce a continuous improvement framework to drive measurable performance gains and cost reductions.
- Logistics, Assets & Inventory
- Oversee shipping, asset movement, and customs compliance across all geographies.
- Lead hardware and asset reconciliation programs to ensure data accuracy and accountability.
- Standardize asset tagging, lifecycle management, and disposal processes.
- Optimize logistics and vendor networks to reduce costs and improve delivery times.
- Vendor & Procurement Management
- Build and oversee a centralized global vendor management system that tracks all administrative, logistics, and facilities partners.
- Develop and enforce a Vendor Evaluation Process including: Pre-qualification and onboarding based on financial stability, service capability, and compliance.
- Quarterly and annual performance reviews using defined KPIs and SLAs (cost, quality, responsiveness, sustainability).
- Vendor scorecards to rank partners on performance and value contribution.
- Continuous improvement feedback loops to drive higher standards and accountability.
- Lead vendor consolidation and cost optimization initiatives, negotiating master service agreements and preferred pricing.
- Collaborate with Finance and Legal to ensure contract compliance and procurement governance globally.
- Financial Stewardship & Cost Optimization
- Own and manage the global facilities and administration budget, identifying cost efficiencies without sacrificing quality or service levels.
- Drive measurable cost savings through vendor rationalization, lease negotiations, and process efficiencies.
- Implement a cost-per-utilization-hour framework across lines of business and sites to assess real performance and ROI.
- Partner with FP&A to forecast, track, and report administrative expenditures against budget.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Studio Operations, IT, Finance, and People Ops to align space, hardware, and logistics needs with business goals.
- Act as the central point of coordination between regional facilities leads and global operations leadership.
- Support sustainability initiatives across all facilities and logistics channels.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in global administration, facilities management, or operational leadership, ideally across multi-region organizations.
- Proven record of implementing global process improvements and achieving significant cost savings.
- Strong background in vendor evaluation, negotiation, and contract management.
- Experience in asset-intensive industries (creative production, technology, or media) preferred.
- Analytical and data-driven, with experience building KPI dashboards and operational scorecards.
- Highly collaborative, with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Benefits
- Competitive Salary + Benefits
- Dynamic, multicultural and fun environment.
- You will be working for the world's leading provider of game services.
- We empower our people and offer regular progression opportunities to ensure our employees flourish.
Global Head of Administration & Operations Excellence employer: Side
At Side, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and multicultural environment where creativity thrives. As the Global Head of Administration & Operations Excellence, you will play a pivotal role in optimising our global operations while enjoying competitive salary packages and ample opportunities for professional growth. Join us in shaping unforgettable gaming experiences and be part of a passionate team dedicated to innovation and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Head of Administration & Operations Excellence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or through gaming forums. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely excited about what they do and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs. Keep it concise but impactful—think of it as your personal trailer for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing familiar names pop up!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Administration & Operations Excellence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Global Head of Administration & Operations Excellence. Highlight your experience in global administration and process improvements, as well as any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive cost efficiencies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the gaming industry and how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Be sure to mention your experience in vendor management and operational excellence.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves building KPI dashboards and operational scorecards, make sure to highlight your analytical skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making and improve processes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you can easily keep track of your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Side
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Side's operations and their global presence. Familiarise yourself with their services and recent projects. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you connect your experience in administration and operations excellence to their specific needs.
✨Showcase Your Achievements
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented process improvements or achieved cost savings in previous roles. Use metrics to quantify your success, as this will resonate well with the interviewers who are looking for tangible results.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come prepared with questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in facilities management or how they measure success in operational excellence. This shows you're thinking critically about how you can contribute.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Given the cross-functional nature of the role, highlight your experience working with various teams. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with finance, IT, or other departments to achieve common goals, showcasing your ability to be a central point of coordination.