About the job
Xero is a beautiful, easy-to-use platform that helps small businesses and their accounting and bookkeeping advisors grow and thrive.
At Xero, our purpose is to make life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. This purpose sits at the centre of everything we do. We support our people to do the best work of their lives so that they can help small businesses succeed through better tools, information and connections. Because when they succeed they make a difference, and when millions of small businesses are making a difference, the world is a more beautiful place.
How you’ll make an impact
The Director of Workplace Experience for Americas, UK & EMEA is responsible for delivering high-quality office accommodation and in house service solutions for Xero staff which supports our aim of providing a world class workplace experience.
Your mission will be to “………provide an exceptional workplace experience within beautiful work environments that inspire and enable staff to create beautiful outcomes.”
To ensure your success you will have a strong focus on customer service, always striving to improve the experience that people have in our space, how they interact with our space, its technology and how the space enables people to interact with each other to strengthen our culture. Xero wants the workplace to be enjoyable and productive to allow staff to do the best work of their lives by meeting the needs of the individual and the needs of the business.
You will work with local and global business leaders to understand future needs and develop plans to meet these needs. Your remit will span all stages of the real estate life-cycle, including; creating multi-year accommodation plans, business cases, space sourcing, lease negotiation, design, fit out, project management and lease disposal. You will also lead the M&A and Integration process for the Workplace Experience function.
You will be responsible for the provision of services required to operate Xero’s office space and to support other business functions, which will include; space management and our Activity Based Working approach, reception, hospitality services, physical security, travel, building management, environmental and sustainability initiatives.
You will build strong relationships with the People Experience and Internal IT teams to promote communication and collaboration which allows these vital teams to provide complementary services that deliver a world-class Workplace Experience at Xero.
In addition to this, the Director of Workplace Experience is responsible for the management and continual improvement of health, safety, environment and security systems and processes within their remit to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff and visitors and to ensure that Xero meets its legal obligations.
To be successful in this role you will need an inquisitive nature which compels you to always question how we could do things better. You will revel in finding new ways of doing things that makes our jobs easier, improves the service we offer and leads to a better workplace experience for the people of Xero.
What you’ll do
- Direct the Workplace Experience team in delivering a world-class workplace experience for staff and visitors.
- Communicate effectively with local and global leaders to understand, anticipate, and coordinate changes from growth.
- Lead the Workplace Experience team in developing innovative improvements to the experience staff have within our office space and when engaging with the services we offer. This should be delivered with consideration of efficiency and cost effectiveness.
- Lead, mentor and coach the Workplace Experience team to ensure that high levels of customer service and accommodation standards are being maintained and continually improved.
- Lead the integration process for the WX function globally to best support new people joining the Xero family through M&A activity.
- Own Landlord relationships, lease negotiations and property acquisition and disposal.
- Oversee all fit out and building work projects.
- Ensure appropriate and effective building services are in place across all Americas, UK & EMEA sites.
- Develop and implement a common approach to providing these services across the Americas, UK & EMEA property portfolio while achieving a quality work environment in a cost effective manner.
- Oversee the negotiation and management of service contracts to ensure services are delivered within the approved budgets and standards.
- Ensure that regular reviews of supplier relationships/arrangements are undertaken to identify and take advantage of opportunities for improvement.
- Own OPEX & CAPEX budgets for the region ensuring all financial policies and processes are followed, including purchase ordering, invoicing, expense claims and DAF.
- Ensure the regular review of Workplace Experience spend to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and security legislation and company requirements.
- Ensure the effective management, implementation, monitoring and provision of reporting on health, safety, environmental and security performance within the region.
- Ensure that the Americas, UK & EMEA Workplace Experience team provide support and assistance to staff in the regions offices. This includes, but is not limited to, assisting with on site events, booking travel, carrying out workstation assessments, carrying out ad hoc project work.
- Promote and demonstrate the Xero Values within the team; Human, Challenge, Team, Ownership, Beautiful.
Success looks like
- Direct and manage a successful Workplace Experience team which consistently delivers a world-class workplace experience with quality accommodation that empowers Xero staff to do the best work of their lives.
- Provision of a dynamic accommodation plan based on the growth forecasts of the business.
- Implementation of plans based on data, analysis and staff feedback that lead to improvements in service levels, business productivity and/or mitigate cost or risk to the business.
- Successfully execute the integration of acquired businesses. Additionally, enable our ways of working to set up future acquisitions in a consistent and sustainable way.
- All offices are compliant with local health, safety, environmental and security legislation and company requirements.
- All projects are completed on time, on budget and meet their success criteria.
- Cultivate and maintain positive and productive relationships with internal customers, local management and global leaders.
- Live, breath and promote the Xero Values within the Workplace Experience team and the wider business to support the Xero culture.
- The engagement score for the Workplace Experience team should sit above 7.5. You will continually work to improve scores across all categories.
- Target a performance comparison score for the Office Vibe Workplace category in your region of 1 or higher. Implement strategies to address any areas of concern.
What you’ll bring with you
- Facilities/workplace management experience within a corporate environment running services across multiple building locations.
- Experience in staff management and developing high performing teams.
- Experience in managing large scale office fit outs and relocations.
- Experience in tendering contracts, contract negotiation and contract management.
- Experience in lease negotiation, lease documentation and managing Landlord relationships.
- Experience in managing health & safety management systems.
- Proven ability to build strong and beneficial working relationships with senior managers, business leaders and key stakeholders.
- Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and develop and implement appropriate change.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the business.
- Excellent organizational, planning and delegation skills with the ability to effectively manage available resources to ensure that multiple projects are completed in an efficient manner to a high standard.
- Ability to compile and present concise and informative reports for circulation to senior managers and board members.
- Exceptional customer service skills with confidence in dealing with difficult customers in an effective, friendly and professional manner.
- Awareness of legislation relevant to this role, particularly with regards to leasing, building codes and health and safety requirements.
- High level of commercial acumen including budgeting, financial management, contract negotiation.
$150,000 – $180,000 a year
Why Xero?
Diversity of people brings diversity of thought, and we like that. A collaborative and inclusive environment is important to us. Working at Xero will provide you with a diverse and inclusive environment alongside people who will respect, challenge and support you to have fun while you do the best work of your life. We are a place where personal development, flexible working, innovation, and well-being are not just inspired but celebrated. We value our people and offer a wide range of compelling benefits and perks, including Xero shares and great parental leave policies.
Xero’s collaborative culture is underscored by our values – #Ownership, #Challenge, #Beautiful, #Human and #Team – which empower us to understand and serve customers, attract top talent and continuously innovate. From the moment you step through our doors, you’ll feel welcome and supported to do the best work of your life. At Xero we embrace diversity and inclusion and value a #challenge mindset.
Research has shown that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single competency or experience. If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be just the right person for this role and Xero. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application and throughout the interview process.