Workplace Operations Manager

Are you looking for a role where you can combine workplace leadership, exceptional service delivery and strategic operational oversight in a prestigious corporate headquarters?

At Markel, you'll lead workplace operations at our International HQ, creating a first-class, concierge-level experience for employees, clients and visitors while partnering with senior stakeholders, landlords and service providers to deliver a seamless, high-performing and future-ready workplace environment.

What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it. The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential, we can help others reach theirs.

Join us and play your part in something special!

The opportunity:

The Workplace Operations Manager is accountable for the operational management, continuous improvement and day-to-day delivery of workplace services at Markel's International HQ at 20 Fenchurch Street, London. The role will lead occupancy management, workplace operations, operational risk, vendor performance and workplace experience initiatives to ensure a safe, secure, resilient, efficient and high-quality environment that supports business objectives and modern hybrid ways of working.

As the senior operational lead for HQ, the role will be the primary point of contact for workplace operations and occupancy matters. The role will work closely with business stakeholders, the wider-workplace team, service partners, landlords, sub-tenants, internal cross-functional teams and corporate real estate leadership to optimise space utilisation, strengthen service delivery and deliver workplace improvements aligned with the standards expected at a high-profile international headquarters.

This is an onsite role, with a minimum requirement of 3 days per week in the office, with flexibility for onsite presence as required to ensure services and managerial tasks are covered at all times.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead workplace operations across International HQ and the Lloyd's office allocation, with overall responsibility for workplace standards, service delivery and employee experience.
• Lead and develop a high-performing workplace team responsible for reception, visitor management, meeting room management, workplace coordination and workplace events, creating clear accountability, strong leadership and a service-led culture.
• Shape the ongoing development of workplace services, ensuring delivery models remain aligned to business needs, growth plans and hybrid ways of working.
• Own occupancy planning, space utilisation and workplace strategy, ensuring the workplace supports organisational objectives and changing requirements.
• Act as a trusted adviser to business leaders on workplace matters, providing practical solutions, insight and recommendations.
• Lead workplace projects and improvements from planning through to delivery, including office moves, space changes, refurbishments, service mobilisations and workplace technology implementations, ensuring successful outcomes and minimal business disruption.
• Be responsible for key workplace suppliers and service partners across hard and soft services, including mechanical and electrical services, cleaning, catering, front of house and other workplace suppliers, ensuring strong performance, effective relationships and value for money.
• Own workplace budgets, expenditure and commercial decisions, balancing service excellence with financial rigor.
• Drive continuous improvement across workplace operations, finding opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and consistency.
• Ensure the workplace environment operates seamlessly and delivers a positive experience for employees, clients and visitors.
• Establish clear service standards, governance and operating frameworks that support effective and sustainable delivery.
• Use workplace data, analytics and technology to improve decision-making, optimise space utilisation and enhance service performance.
• Maintain appropriate standards at 20 Fenchurch Street across health and safety, risk management, business continuity, physical security and operational resilience.
• Lead workplace governance, controls and compliance activities, ensuring legal, regulatory and company requirements are met.
• Build strong partnerships with senior stakeholders, landlords, suppliers and key business functions to support operational priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Promote innovation and the adoption of new technologies that improve workplace effectiveness, employee experience and operational efficiency.
• Support sustainability objectives through workplace operations, projects and supplier partnerships.
• Provide clear reporting, insight and recommendations to senior leadership on workplace performance, risks, priorities and opportunities.
• Ensure workplace resources, services and operating models remain fit for purpose as the business evolves.
• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and service excellence across the workplace function.

Our must-haves:

• Significant experience leading workplace, facilities or corporate real estate operations within a complex corporate environment.
• A strong background developing teams, driving performance and delivering high service standards.
• Commercial experience across budgets, contracts, procurement and supplier management.
• Proven experience managing multiple service partners and holding suppliers accountable for performance.
• Experience delivering workplace projects, operational improvements and organisational change initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the credibility and confidence to influence senior leaders.
• Excellent judgement, resilience and decision-making capability within a fast-paced environment.
• A strategic outlook coupled with strong operational awareness and attention to detail.
• A passion for service excellence, workplace experience and continuous improvement.
• The confidence to challenge existing approaches and identify more effective ways of working.

Who we are:

Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a Fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory, and investment operations around the world.

We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for better | We enjoy the everyday | We think further

What’s in it for you?

• A great starting salary plus annual bonus & strong benefits package…
• 25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays, with the opportunity to buy/sell extra leave
• Fantastic company pension scheme, private medical and dental cover, life assurance, travel insurance cover, income protection, season ticket loan as well as other great benefits on offer
• There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career and we can provide the support needed to do just that!

Are you ready to play your part?

Choose ‘Apply Now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.

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