Workplace Portfolio Lead

Summary

Join Waabi's growing team as a Workplace Portfolio Lead, overseeing and optimizing the company's real estate and facilities portfolio across the US and Canada. Develop and execute a long-term facilities portfolio strategy aligned with company growth plans and financial objectives. Manage real estate transactions, space planning, and capital expenditure budgets. Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors. Analyze key facilities metrics and report on portfolio performance. Drive sustainability initiatives and manage a small team. Effectively communicate with executive leadership and stakeholders. Waabi offers competitive compensation and benefits, including equity awards, health and wellness benefits, unlimited vacation, flexible hours, and more.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree or higher
• At least 7 years of experience in facilities management, real estate portfolio management, or corporate real estate, with a strong focus on strategic planning and execution
• Demonstrated experience managing a multi-site real estate portfolio, preferably within a fast-paced technology or high-growth environment
• Strong understanding of commercial real estate markets, lease structures, and negotiation strategies
• Proven ability to develop and manage complex budgets and capital plans and manage execution of projects in a timely and cost effective manner
• Experience managing large scale and local vendors and commercial contracts
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all levels of the organization
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Open-minded and collaborative team player with the willingness to help others
• Strong leadership and people management skills

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a long-term facilities portfolio strategy aligned with the company's growth plans, financial objectives, and cultural values inclusive of office spaces, R&D Workshops and business operational spaces. This includes identifying opportunities for optimization, consolidation, expansion, and new site selection
• Manage all aspects of real estate transactions, including lease negotiations, renewals, expansions, and dispositions. Collaborate with legal, finance, and external brokers to ensure favorable terms and compliance
• Partner with internal stakeholders (e.g., HR, IT, departmental leaders) to understand space requirements and develop innovative solutions for efficient space utilization, including agile workspaces, hybrid models, and future-forward office designs that can be applied with consistency across the portfolio to create a cohesive visual identity for Waabi
• Develop and manage capital expenditure budgets for facilities projects, including new construction, renovations, and major equipment upgrades. Monitor and control spending to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget
• Provide strategic view on desired vendor strategy and landscape to guide Facility Operations team in how they engage with external vendors and service providers, including property management, maintenance, construction, and security. Support and as necessary negotiate and manage contracts to ensure quality service and cost-effectiveness
• Collect, analyze, and report on key facilities metrics (e.g., space utilization, operational costs, energy consumption, project status) to inform decision-making and demonstrate portfolio performance
• Drive and support sustainability initiatives across the facilities portfolio
• Collaborate closely with internal teams such as Finance, Legal, HR, IT, and individual business units to ensure seamless integration of facilities services with overall business operations. Manage a small team of local and remote employees as needed alongside of Waabi’s growth and expansion
• Effectively communicate facilities strategies, plans, and performance to executive leadership and other relevant stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degrees, certifications or licenses in real estate, portfolio or facility management or operations
• Experience with autonomous vehicles and/or freight operations

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and equity awards
• Health and Wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental and Vision coverage (for full-time employees only)
• Unlimited Vacation
• Flexible hours and Work from Home support
• Daily drinks, snacks and catered meals (when in office)
• Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on-site, off-site & virtually